OF THE POLAR SEA. 



125 



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CHAPTER VII. 



Departure from Chipewyan — Difficulties of the various 

 Navigations of the Rivers and Lakes, and of the Port- 

 ages — Slave Lake and Fort Providence — Scarcity of 

 Provisions, and Discontent of the Canadian Voyagers 

 — Difficulties with regard to the Indian Guides — 

 Refusal to proceed — Visit of Observation to the upper 

 part of Copper-Mine River — Return to the Winter - 

 Quarters of Fort Enterjwise. 



Early on the morning of the 18th July the 

 stores were distributed to the three canoes. 

 Our stock of provision unfortunately did 

 not amount to more than sufficient for one 

 day's consumption, exclusive of two barrels 

 of flour, three cases of preserved meats, 

 some chocolate, arrow-root, and portable 

 soup, which we had brought from England, 

 and intended to reserve for our journey to 

 the coast the next season. Seventy pounds 

 of moose meat and a little barley were all 



