CEIRPP VAN ITO BLACK. LAGE. 63 
travelling it was very evident that the guides were going 
to be a drag rather than a help to us, so it was resolved 
that before proceeding farther a definite understanding 
must be arrived at. 
Beside the evening camp-fire, accordingly, the matter 
was broached to the Indians. They were told plainly 
that if they were to continue with us they would be 
required to go in advance and show us the way as far as 
they knew the route, and further, that they would be 
expected to assist in portaging our stuff whenever that 
might become necessary. In consideration of this, as 
already agreed upon, they were to receive their board 
and eighty skins ($40.00) per month, upon their return 
to Chippewyan. This arrangement was accepted as 
being satisfactory to them, and it was hoped that it 
might result satisfactorily to ourselves. 
During the morning of the Ist of July, witha little 
Union Jack flying at the bow of my canoe, we arrived 
at the east end of the lake, and concluded a traverse, 
since leaving Chippewyan, of 210 miles. Here at the 
extremity of the lake we found several Indian families 
living, not as is usual, in their “tepees” or skin-covered 
lodges, but in substantial log huts. One of these, we 
learned, was the property of our brave Moberly, and in 
‘front of it he and old Bovia deliberately went ashore, 
drew up their canoe, and seated themselves upon the 
ground beside some friends. 
Their action at once struck us as suspicious, but 
presently they made an open demand for a division of 
our bacon, flour, tea and tobacco. Some pieces of to- 
bacco and a small quantity of tea had already been 
given, but any further distribution of the supplies was 
