1 



350 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the attacks of the dogs. Under the covering of their tents were 

 observed some stone kettles and hatchets, a few fish spears made of 

 copper, two small bits of iron, a quantity of skins, and some dried 

 salmon, which was covered with maggots, and half putrid. The 

 entrails of the fish were spread out to dry. A great many skins 

 of small birds were hung up to a stage, and even two mice were 

 preserved in the same way. Thus it would appear that the neces- 

 sities of these poor people induce them to preserve every article that 

 can be possibly used as food. Several human skulls which bore the 

 marks of violence, and many bones were strewed about the ground 

 near to the encampment, and as the spot exactly answers the de- 

 scription given by Mr. Hearne, of the place where the Chipewyans 

 who accompanied him perpetrated the dreadful massacre on the 

 Esquimaux, we had no doubt of this being the place, notwith- 

 standing the difference in its position as to latitude and longitude 

 given by him, and ascertained by our observation. We have, there- 

 fore, preserved the appellation of Bloody Fall, which he bestowed 

 upon it. Its situation by our observations is, in latitude 67° 42' 

 35" N., longitude 115° 49' 33" W., variation 50° 20' 14" E. This 

 rapid is a sort of shelving cascade, about three hundred yards in 

 length, having a descent of from ten to fifteen feet. It is bounded 

 on each side by high walls of red sand stone, upon which rests a 

 series of lofty green hills. On its north side, close to the east bank, 

 is the low rocky island which the Esquimaux had deserted. The 

 surrounding scenery is accurately delineated in the annexed sketch 

 taken by Mr. Hood but finished by Mr. Back. We caught forty 

 excellent fish of the salmon and white fish species in a single 

 net below the rapid. We had not seen any trees during this day's 

 journey ; our fuel consisted of small willows and pieces of dried 

 wood that were picked up near to the encampment. The ground is 

 well clothed with grass, and nourishes most of the shrubs and berry- 

 bearing plants that we have seen north of Fort Enterprise ; and the 



