In the Arctic Regions. 393 
trees, boiled and mixed with grease. The other boats 
were afterwards put in complete repair. The Lion 
required the most, in consequence of the accident in 
Bear Lake River. The defects in the other two prin- 
cipally arose from their having been repaired at Cum 
berland House with the elm that grows in its vicinity, 
and is very spongy. We now substituted white spruce 
fir, which, when grown in these high latitudes, is an 
excellent wood for boat-building. We were surprised 
to find, that, notwithstanding the many heavy blows 
these boats had received in their passage to this place, 
there was not a timber that required to be changed. 
My, In our bustle, we would gladly have dispensed 
with the presence of the Dog-Ribs (Indians) who now 
visited us in great numbers, without bringing any 
supplies. They continued hanging about the fort, 
and their daily drumming and singing over the sick, 
the squalling of the children, and bawling of the 
men and. women, proved no small annoyance. We 
were pleased, however, at perceiving that the ammu- 
nition we had given to them in return for meat, had 
enabled them to provide themselves with leathern 
tents. Their only shelter from wind, snow, or rain, 
.before this season, had been a rude barricade of pine 
branches. Fortunately, for our comfort, they were 
obliged to remove before the expiration of the month 
to a distant fishery to procure provision, 
