OF THE POLAR SEA. 



143 



ceived a mark on the shore, which on exa- 

 mination was found to have been recently 

 put up by some Indians : and, on proceed- 

 ing further, we discerned stronger proofs of 

 their vicinity ; we, therefore, encamped, 

 and made a large fire as a signal, which 

 they answered in a similar way. Mr. 

 Wentzel was immediately sent, in expecta- 

 tion of getting provision from them. On 

 his return, we learned that the party con- 

 sisted of three old Copper Indians, with 

 their families, who had supported them- 

 selves with the bow and arrow since last 

 autumn, not having visited Fort Providence 

 for more than a year ; and so successful 

 had they been, that they were enabled to 

 supply us with upwards of seventy pounds 

 of dried meat, and six moose skins fit for 

 making shoes, which were the more valuable 

 as we were apprehensive of being bare- 

 footed before the journey could be com- 

 pleted. The evening was sultry, and the 

 musquitoes appeared in great numbers. 

 The distance made to-day was twenty-five 

 miles. 



