152 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



posed that my appearance amongst them, without the means of 

 satisfying any of their desires, would give them an unfavourable 

 impression respecting the expedition, which would make them indif- 

 ferent to exertion, if it did not even cause them to withdraw from 

 their engagements. 



The establishments at this place, Forts Chipewyan and Wed- 

 derburne, the chief posts of the companies in this department, are 

 conveniently situated for communicating with the Slave and Peace 

 Rivers, from whence the canoes assemble in the spring and autumn ; 

 on the first occasion they bring the collection of furs which has been 

 made at the different outposts during the winter ; and at the latter 

 season they receive a supply of stores for the equipment of the 

 Indians in their vicinity. Fort Wedderburne is a small house, 

 which was constructed on Coal Island about five years ago, when 

 the Hudson's Bay Company recommenced trading in this part of 

 the country. Fort Chipewyan has been built many years, and 

 is an establishment of very considerable extent, conspicuously 

 situated on a rocky point of the northern shore ; it has a tower 

 which can be seen at a considerable distance. This addition was 

 made about eight years ago, for the purpose of watching the 

 motions of the Indians., who intended, as it was then reported, 

 to destroy the house and all its inhabitants. They had been in- 

 stigated to this rash design by the delusive stories of one among 

 them, who had acquired great influence over his companions by 

 his supposed skill in necromancy. This fellow had prophesied 

 that there would soon be a complete change in the face of their 

 country; that fertility and plenty would succeed to the present 

 sterility ; and that the present race of white inhabitants, unless 

 they became subservient to the Indians, would be removed, and 

 their place be filled by other traders, who would supply their wants 

 in every possible manner. The poor deluded wretches, imagining 

 they would hasten this happy change by destroying their present 



