seen in this country, that deserves the appellation of a mountain
range; it is probably a continuation of the Stony Mountains crossed
by Hearne. Many plants appeared in full flower near the tents, and
Dr. Richardson gathered some high up on the hills. The distance
we made to-day was fifty miles.
There was a hoar frost in the night, and the temperature, at four
next morning, was 40°: embarking at that hour, we glided quickly
down the stream, and by seven arrived at the Hook’s encampment,
which was placed on the summit of a lofty sand cliff, whose base was
washed by the river. This chief had with him only three hunters,
and a few old men and their families, the rest of his band having
remained at their snares in Bear Lake. His brother, Long-legs, and
our guide, Keskarrah, who had joined him three days before, had
communicated to him our want of provision, and we were happy to
find that, departing from the general practice of Indian chiefs, he
entered at once upon the business, without making a long speech.
As an introductory mark of our regard, I decorated him with a medal
similar to those which had been given to the other leaders. The
Hook began by stating, “ that he was aware of our being destitute of
provision, and of the great need we had of an ample stock, to enable
us to execute our undertaking; and his regret, that the unusual
scarcity of animals this season, together with the circumstance of his
having only just received a supply of ammunition from Fort Providence,
had prevented him from collecting the quantity of meat he
had wished to do for our use. The amount, indeed,” he said, “ is
very small, but I will cheerfully give you what I have: we are too
much indebted to the white people, to allow them to want food on
our lands, whilst we have any to give them. Our families can live on
fish until we can procure more meat, but the season is too short to
allow of your delaying, to gain subsistence in that manner. He
immediately desired, aloud, that the women should bring all the
meat they had to us; and we soon collected sufficient to make three
bags and a half of pemmican, besides some dried meat and tongues.
We were truly delighted by this prompt and cheerful behaviour, and
would gladly have rewarded the kindness of himself and his companions
by some substantial present, but we were limited by the
scantiness of our store to a small donation of fifteen charges of
ammunition to each of the chiefs. In return for the provision they
accepted notes on the North-West Company, to be paid at Fort
Providence; and to these was subjoined an order for a few articles of
clothing, as an additional present. I then endeavoured to prevail
upon the Hook to remain in this vicinity with his hunters until the
autumn, and to make deposits of provision in different parts of the
course to the sea, as a resource for our party, in the event of our
being compelled to return by this route. He required time,, however,
to consider this matter, and promised to give me an answer
next day. I was rejoiced to find him then prepared to meet my wish,
and the following plan was agreed upon:—As the animals abound, at
all times, on the borders of Bear Lake, he promised to remain on the
east side of it until the month of November, at that spot which is
nearest to the Copper-Mine River, from whence there is a communication
by a chain of lakes and portages. There the principal deposit
of provision was to be made; but during the summer the hunters
were to be employed in putting up supplies of dried meat at convenient
distances, not only along the communication from this river,
but also upon its banks, as far down as the Copper Mountain. They
were also to place particular marks to guide our course to their lodges.
We contracted to pay them liberally, whether we returned by this
way or not; if we did, they were to accompany us to Fort Providence
to receive the reward; and, at any rate, I promised to send the
necessary documents by Mr. Wentzel, from the sea-coast, to ensure
them an ample remuneration. With this arrangement they were
perfectly satisfied, and we could not be less so, knowing they had