238 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



Factory by Governor Williams, five of the 

 most essential had been left at the Grand 

 Rapid on the Saskatchawan, owing, as far 

 as we could judge from the accounts that 

 reached us, to the misconduct of the officer 

 to whom they were intrusted, and who was 

 ordered to convey them to Cumberland 

 House. Being overtaken by some of the 

 Nor tli- West Company's canoes, he had 

 insisted on their taking half of his charge, 

 as it was intended for the service of govern- 

 ment. The North -West gentlemen: ob- 

 jected, that their canoes had already got a 

 cargo in, and that they had been requested 

 to convey our stores from Cumberland 

 House only, where they had a canoe wait- 

 ing for the purpose. The Hudson's Bay 

 officer upon this deposited our ammunition 

 and tobacco upon the beach, and departed, 

 without any regard to the serious conse- 

 quences that might result to us from the 

 want of them. The Indians, who assembled 

 at the opening of the packet, and sat in 

 silence watching our countenances, were 

 necessarily made acquainted with the non- 



