OF THE POLAR SEA. 



143 



reached the hall, and was introduced to the 

 officers. When he had smoked his pipe, 

 drank a small portion of spirits and water 

 himself, and issued a glass to each of his 

 companions, who had seated themselves on 

 the floor, he commenced his harangue, by 

 mentioning the circumstances that led to 

 his agreeing to accompany the Expedition, 

 an engagement which he was quite prepared 

 to fulfil. He was rejoiced, he said, to see 

 such great chiefs on his lands ; his tribe 

 was poor, but they loved white men, who 

 had been their benefactors ; and he hoped 

 that our visit would be productive of much 

 good to them. The report which pre- 

 ceded our arrival, he said, had caused much 

 grief to him. It was at first rumoured that 

 a great medicine chief accompanied us, who 

 was able to restore the dead to life ; at this 

 he rejoiced; the prospect of again seeing 

 his departed relatives had enlivened his 

 spirits, but his first communication with 

 Mr. Wentzel had removed these vain hopes, 

 | and he felt as if his friends had a second 

 ! time been torn from him. He now wished 



