192 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



should have made the attempt; with the 

 intention, however, of returning immedi- 

 ately upon the first decided appearance of 

 winter. 



On the morning of August 27th, having 

 communicated my sentiments to the officers, 

 on the subject of the conference last even- 

 ing, they all agreed that the descent to the 

 sea this season could not be attempted, 

 without hazarding a complete rupture with 

 the Indians ; but they thought that a party 

 should be sent to ascertain the distance and 

 size of the Copper-mine River. These 

 opinions being in conformity with my own, 

 I determined on despatching Messrs. Back 

 and Hood on that service, in a light canoe, 

 as soon as possible. 



We witnessed this morning an instance of 

 the versatility of our Indian companions, 

 which gave us much uneasiness, as it re- 

 garded the safety of our faithful attendant 

 Hepburn. When they heard, on their ar- 

 rival last night, of his having been so long 

 absent, they expressed the greatest solici- 

 tude about him, and the whole party imme- 



