316 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



CHAPTER IX*. 



Departure from Fort Enterprise— Navigation of the Copper-Mine River— Visit to the Copper 

 Mountain— Interview with the Esquimaux — Departure of the Indian Hunters— Arrange- 

 ments made with them for our return. 



is2i. np 



June 14. JL HE trams for the canoes having been finished during the 

 night, the party attached to them commenced their journey at ten 

 this morning. Each canoe was dragged by four men assisted by two 

 dogs. They took the route of Winter Eake, with the intention of 

 following, although more circuitous, the water-course as far as practi- 

 cable, it being safer for the canoes than travelling over land. After 

 their departure, the remaining stores, the instruments, and our small 

 stock of dried meat, amounting only to eighty pounds, were dis- 

 tributed equally among Hepburn, three Canadians, and the two 

 Esquimaux; with this party and two Indian hunters, we quitted 

 Fort Enterprise, most sincerely rejoicing that the long- wished for 

 day had arrived, when we were to proceed towards the final object 

 of the Expedition. 



We left in one of the rooms a box, containing a journal of the 

 occurrences up to this date, the charts, and some drawings, which 

 was to be conveyed to Fort Chipewyan by Mr. Wentzel, on his 

 return from the sea, and from thence to be sent to England. The 



# It will be seen hereafter that I had the misfortune to lose my portfolio containing my 

 journals from Fort Enterprise to the 14th of September. But the loss has been amply 

 redeemed by my brother officers' journals, from which the narrative up to that period has 

 been chiefly compiled. 



