OF THE POLAR SEA. 



473 



some cause which had not been explained to him, the goods in- 

 tended as rewards to Akaitcho and his band, which we had demanded 

 in the spring from the North- West Company, were not sent. There 

 were, however, some stores lying for us at Moose-deer Island, 

 which had been ordered for the equipment of our voyagers ; and 

 Mr. Back had gone across to that establishment, to make a selection 

 of the articles we could spare for a temporary present to the Indians. 

 The disappointment at the non-arrival of the goods was seriously 

 felt by us, as we had looked forward with pleasure to the time 

 when we should be enabled to recompense our kind Indian 

 friends, for their tender sympathy in our distresses, and the assist- 

 ance they had so cheerfully and promptly rendered. I now regretted 

 to find, that Mr. Wentzel and his party, in their return from the 

 sea, had suffered severely on their march along the Copper-Mine 

 River, having on one occasion, as he mentioned, had no food but 

 tripe de roche for eleven days. 



All the Indians flocked to our encampment to learn the news, 

 and to receive the articles brought for them. Having got some 

 spirits and tobacco, they withdrew to the tent of the Chief, and 

 passed the greater part of the night in singing. We had now the 

 indescribable gratification of changing our linen, which we had worn 

 ever since our departure from the sea-coast. 



December 8.— After a long conference with Akaitcho, we took 

 leave of him and his kind companions, and set out with two 

 sledges, heavily laden with provision and bedding, drawn by the 

 dogs, and conducted by Belanger and the Canadian sent by 

 Mr. Weeks. Hepburn and Augustus jointly dragged a smaller 

 sledge, laden principally with their own bedding. Adam and 

 Benoit were left to follow with the Indians. We encamped on the 

 Grassy-Lake Portage, having walked about nine miles, principally 

 on the Yellow-Knife River. It was open at the rapids, and in these 

 places we had to ascend its banks, and walk through the wocds 



