In the Arctic Regions. 397 
day was closed by the consumption of a small quanti- 
ty of rum, reserved for the occasion, followed by a 
merry dance, in which all joined with great glee, in 
their working dresses. On the following Sunday the 
officers and men assembled at Divine service, dressed 
in their new uniforms ; ‘and in addition to ‘the ordi- 
nary service of the day, the special protection of 
Providence was implored on the enterprise we were 
about to commence. The guns were cleaned the next 
day, and stowed in the arm chests, which had been 
made to fit the boats, Tuesday and Wednesday 
were set apart for the officers and men to pack their 
own things. A strong western breeze occurred on the 
21st, which removed the ice from the front of the 
house and opened a passage to the Bear Lake River. 
The men were sent with the boats and stores to the 
river in the evening, and were heartily cheered on 
quitting the beach. The officers remained to pack 
up the charts, drawings, and other documents, which 
were to be left at the fort ; and, in the event of none 
of the officers returning, Mr. Dease was directed to 
forward them to England. We quitted the house at 
half past ten, on, Tuesday morning, leaving Coté, 
the fisherman, in charge, until Mr. Dease should return 
from Fort Norman. This worthy old man, sharing 
the enthusiasm that animated the whole party, would 
not allow us to depart-without giving his hearty, 
thongh solitary cheer, which we returned in full chorus. 
