OF THE POLAR SEA. 



139 



skin. The night was stormy, and there 

 £ was a heavy fall of snow. The next day 

 he became still more dejected. About 

 eleven Hepburn, who had gone out for the 

 wood, came in with the intelligence that a 

 party appeared upon the river. The room 

 was instantly swept, and, in compliance with 

 the prejudices of the Indians, every scrap 

 of skin was carefully removed out of sight : 

 for these simple people imagine that burn- 

 ing deer-skin renders them unsuccessful in 

 hunting. The party proved to be Crooked- 

 Foot, Thooee-yorre, and the Fop, with the 

 wives of the two latter dragging provisions. 

 They were accompanied by Benoit, one of 

 our own men. 



We were rejoiced to learn by a note from 

 Mr. Back, dated November 11, that he and 

 his companions had so recruited their 

 strength that they were preparing to pro- 

 ceed to Fort Providence. Adam recovered 

 his spirits on the arrival of the Indians, and 

 even walked about the room with an appear- 

 ance of strength and activity that surprised 

 us all. As it was of consequence to get 



