OF THE POLAR SEA. 



145 



forward with pleasure to the time when we 

 should be enabled to recompense our kind 

 Indian friends, for their tender sympathy in 

 our distresses, and the assistance they had 

 so cheerfully and promptly rendered. I 

 now regretted to find that Mr. Wentzel and 

 his party, in their return from the sea, had 

 suffered severely on their march along the 

 Copper-Mine River, having on one occa- 

 sion, as he mentioned, had no food but tripe 

 de roche for eleven days. 



All the Indians flocked to our encamp- 

 ment to learn the news, and to receive the 

 articles brought for them. Having got 

 some spirits and tobacco, they withdrew to 

 the tent of the Chief, and passed the greater 

 part of the night in singing. We had now 

 the indescribable gratification of changing 

 our linen, which had been worn ever since 

 our departure from the sea-coast. 



December 8.— After a long conference 

 with Akaitcho, we took leave of him and 

 his kind companions, and set out with two 

 sledges heavily laden with provision and 

 bedding, drawn by the dogs, and conducted 



VOL. IV. L 



