OF THE POLAR SEA. 



165 



and a few pounds of preserved meat. At 

 the recommendation of Akaitcho, the hunters 

 were furnished with ammunition, and de- 

 sired to go forward as speedily as possible 

 to the part where the rein-deer were ex- 

 pected to be found ; and to return to us 

 with any provision they could procure. He 

 also assured us, that in our advance towards 

 them we should come to lakes abounding in 

 fish. Many of the Indians being likewise 

 in distress for food, decided on separating 

 from us, and going on at a quicker pace 

 than we could travel. 



Akaitcho himself was always furnished 

 with a portion at our meals, as a token of 

 regard which the traders have taught the 

 chiefs to expect, and which we willingly 

 paid. 



The next morning we crossed a small 

 lake and a portage before we entered the 

 river ; shortly afterwards, the canoes and 

 cargoes were carried a mile along its banks, 

 to avoid three very strong rapids, and over 

 another portage into a narrow lake ; we 

 encamped on an island in the middle of it 



