138 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



clothing, as an additional present. I then 

 endeavoured to prevail upon the Hook to 

 remain in this vicinity with his hunters until 

 the autumn, and to make deposits of provi- 

 sion in different parts of the course to the 

 sea, as a resource for our party, in the event 

 of our being compelled to return by this 

 route. He required time, however, to con- 

 sider this matter, and promised to give me 

 an answer next day. I was rejoiced to find 

 him then prepared to meet my wish, and 

 the following plan was agreed upon : — As 

 the animals abound, at all times, on the 

 borders of Bear Lake, he promised to 

 remain on the east side of it until the month 

 of November, at that spot which is nearest 

 to the Copper-Mine River, from whence 

 there is a communication by a chain of lakes 

 and portages. There the principal deposit 

 of provision was to be made; but during 

 the summer the hunters were to be em- 

 ployed in putting up supplies of dried meat 

 at convenient distances, not only along the 

 communication from this river, but also 

 upon its banks, as far down as the Copper 



