OF THE POLAR SEA. 207 



In the midst of this scene an untoward accident occurred, which 

 for a time interrupted our amusements. The tent in which Dr. 

 Richardson and I lodged having caught fire from some embers that 

 had been placed in it to expel the musquitoes, was entirely burnt. 

 Hepburn, who was sleeping within it, close to some powder, most 

 providentially was 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 con- 

 cealed 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 unfavourable commencement of 

 our undertaking. We were, however, deeply impressed with a 

 grateful sense of the Divine Providence, in averting the threatened 

 destruction of our stores, which would have been fatal to every 

 prospect of proceeding forward this season. 



August 1. — This morning the Indians set out, intending to wait 

 for us at the mouth of the Yellow Knife River. We remained 

 behind to pack our stores, in bales of eighty pounds each, an ope- 

 ration which could not be done in the presence of these Indians, as 

 they are in the habit of begging for every thing they see. Our 

 stores consisted of two barrels of gunpowder, one hundred and 

 forty pounds of ball and small shot, four fowling-pieces, a few old 

 trading guns, eight pistols, twenty-four Indian daggers, some 

 packages of knives, chisels, axes, nails, and fastenings for a boat ; 

 a few yards of cloth, some blankets, needles, looking-glasses, and 

 beads; together with nine fishing-nets, having meshes of different 



