In the Arctic Regions. 395 * 
But as unforeseen circumstances might compel us to 
winter on the coast, I considered it necessary to warn 
him against inferring, from our not- returning. in the 
following autumn, that we had reached the Blossom. 
He was, therefore, directed to keep Fort Franklin 
complete, as to provision, until the spring of 1828. 
~ Dr. Richardson was likewise instructed, before he left 
the fort in 1827, on his return to England, to see that 
Mr. Dease fully understood my motives for giving 
these orders, and that he was provided with’ the 
means of purchasing the necessary provision from the 
Indians. 
wed. The long reign of the east wind was at length 
terminated by a fresh N. W. breeze, and the ice yet 
remaining on the small lake soon disappeared, under 
the softening effects of this wind. This lake had 
been frozen eight months, wanting three days. 
A narrow channel - being opened along the western 
border of Bear Lake, on the 14th Dr. Richardson took 
advantage of it, and went in a small canoe with two 
men to examine the mountains on the borders of Bear 
Lake River, and to collect specimens of the plants 
that were now in flower, intendiny to rejoin the party 
at Fort Norman. On the same day, in 1821, the for- 
mer Expedition left Fort Enterprise for the sea. 
Thurs. The equipments of the boats being now com- 
plete, they were launched on the small lake, and tried 
