OF THE POLAR SEA. 



69 



received ten bags of pemmican from the 

 North- West Company, which proved to be 

 mouldy, and so totally unfit for use, that it 

 was left at the Me thy e Portage. They 

 got none from the Hudson's Bay Post. 

 The voyagers belonging to that Company, 

 being destitute of provision, had eaten what 

 was intended for us. In consequence of 

 these untoward circumstances, the canoes 

 arrived with only one day's supply of this 

 most essential article. The prospect of 

 having to commence our journey from 

 hence, almost destitute of provision, and * 

 scantily supplied with stores, was distress- 

 ing to vis, and very discouraging to the 

 men. It was evident, however, that any 

 unnecessary delay here would have been 

 very imprudent, as Fort Chipewyan did 

 not, at the present time, furnish the means 

 of subsistence for so large a party, much 

 less was there a prospect of our receiving 

 any supply to carry us forward. We, 

 therefore, hastened to make the necessary 

 arrangements for our speedy departure. 

 All the stores were demanded that could 



