OF THE POLAR SEA. 



153 



awoke in time to throw it clear of the 

 flame, and rescue the baggage before any 

 material injury had been received. We 

 dreaded the consequences of this disaster 

 upon the fickle minds of the Indians, and 

 wished it not to be communicated to them. 

 The chief, however, was soon informed of 

 it by one of his people, and expressed his 

 desire that no future misfortune should be 

 concealed from him. We found he was 

 most concerned to hear that the flag had 

 been burnt, but we removed his anxiety on 

 that point by the assurance that it could 

 easily be repaired. We were advised by 

 Mr. Wentzel to recommence the dancing 

 after this event, lest the Indians should 

 imagine, by our putting a stop to it, that 

 we considered the circumstance as an unfa- 

 vourable commencement of our under- 

 taking. We were, however, deeply im- 

 pressed with a grateful sense of the Divine 

 Providence, in averting the threatened de- 

 struction of our stores, which would have 

 been fatal to every prospect of proceeding 

 forward this season. 



