OF THE POLAR SEA. 



95 



their loads upon sledges, but a few preferred 

 carrying them on their backs. They set 

 off in high spirits. 



After breakfast the Indians struck their 

 tents, and the women, the boys, and the old 

 men who had to drag sledges, took their 

 departure. It was three P.M., however, 

 before Akaitcho and the hunters left us. 

 We issued thirty balls to the leader, and 

 twenty to each of the hunters and guides, 

 with a proportionate quantity of powder, 

 and gave them directions to make all the 

 provision they could on their way to Point 

 Lake. I then desired Mr. Wentzel to in- 

 form Akaitcho, in the presence of the other 

 Indians, that I wished a deposit of provi- 

 sion to be made at this place previous to 

 next September, as a resource should we re- 

 turn this way. He and the guides not only 

 promised to see this done, but suggested 

 that it would be more secure if placed 

 in the cellar, or in Mr. Wentzel's room. 

 The Dog-ribs, they said, would respect any 

 thing that was in the house, as knowing it 

 to belong to the white people. At the close 



