In the Arctic Regions, 369 
tance of Fort Enterprize ; but as we perceived neither 
any marks of Indians, nor even of animals, the men 
began absolutely to despair: on a nearer approach, 
however, the tracks of large herds of deer, which had 
only passed a few hours, tended a little to revive their 
spirits, and shortly after we crossed the ruinous thres- 
hold of the long-sought-for spot ; but what, was our 
surprise, what our sensations, at beholding every thing 
in the most desolate and neglected state ; the doors 
and windows of that room in which we expected to 
find provision, had been thrown down, and carelessly 
left so ; and the wild animals of the woods had resort- 
ed there, as to a place of shelter and retreat, Mr. 
Wentzel had taken away the trunks and papers, but 
had left no note to guide us to the Indians, This was 
to us the most grievous disappointment : without the 
assistance of the Indians, bereft of every resource, we 
felt ourselves reduced to the most miserable state, 
which was rendered still worse, from the recollection 
that our friends in the rear were as miserable as our- 
selves. For the moment, however, hunger prevailed, 
and each began to gnaw the scraps of putrid and fro- 
zen meat that were laying about, without waiting to 
prepare them. A fire, however, was made, and the 
neck and bones of a deer, found lying in the house, 
were boiled and devoured. 
I determined to remain a day here to repose our- 
16* 
