every motive for fulfilling their promises, as the place they had chosen
to remain at is their usual hunting ground. The uncommon anxiety
these chiefs expressed for our safety, appeared to us likely to prompt
them to every care and attention, and I record their expressions with
gratitude. After representing the numerous hardships we should
have to encounter in the strongest manner, though in language
similar to what we had often heard from our friend Akaitcho, they
earnestly entreated we would be constantly on our guard against the
treachery of the Esquimaux; and no less forcibly desired we would
not proceed far along the coast, as they dreaded the consequences of
our being exposed to a tempestuous sea in canoes, and having to
endure the cold of the autumn on a shore destitute of fueL The
Hook, having been an invalid for several years, rejoiced at the opportunity
of consulting Dr. Richardson, who immediately gave him
advice, and supplied him with medicine.
The pounded meat and fat were converted into pemmican, preparatory
to our voyage.
The result of our observations at the Hook’s encampment was,
latitude 66° 45' 11" N., longitude 115° 42' 23" W., variation of .the
compass 46° 7' 30" E.
We embarked at eleven to proceed on our journey. Akaitcho and
his brother, the guide, being in the first canoe, and old Eeskarrah in
the other. We wished to dispense with the further attendance of
two guides, and made a proposition that either of them might remain
here, but neither would relinquish the honour of escorting the
Expedition to the sea. One of our hunters, however, was less eager
for this distinction, and preferred remaining with Green Stockings,
Keskarrah’s fascinating daughter. The other four, with the Little
Singer, accompanied us, two of them conducting their small canoes
in turns, and the rest walking along the beach.
The river flows over a bed of sand, and winds in an uninterrupted
channel of from three quarters to a mile broad, between two ranges
of hills, which are pretty even in their outline, and round backed,
but having rather steep acclivities. The immediate borders of the
stream consist either of high banks of sand, or steep gravel cliifs;
and sometimes, where the hills recede to a little distance, the intervening
space is occupied by high sandy ridges.
At three P.M., after passing along the foot of a high range of hills,
we arrived at the portage leading to the Bear Lake, to which we
have previously alluded. Its position is very remarkable, being at
the most westerly part of the Copper-Mine River, and at the point
where it resumes a northern course, and forces a passage through the
lofty ridge of mountains, to which it has run parallel for the last
thirty miles. As the Indians travel from hence, with their families,
in three days to the point where they have proposed staying for us,
the distance, I think, cannot exceed forty miles; and admitting the
course to be due west, which is the direction the guide pointed, it
would place the eastern part of Bear Lake in 118|° W. longitude.
Beyond this spot the river is diminished in breadth and a succession
of rapids are formed; but as the water was deep, we passed
through them without discharging any part of the cargoes. It still-
runs between high ranges of mountains, though its actual boundaries
are banks of mud mixed with clay, which are clothed with stunted
pines. We picked up a deer which the hunters had shot, and killed
another from the canoe ; and also received an addition to our stock
of provision of seven young geese, which the hunters had beaten
down with their sticks. About six P.M. we perceived a mark on the
shore, which on examination was found to have been recently put up
by some Indians; and, on proceeding further, we discerned stronger
proofs of their vicinity; we, therefore, encamped, and made a large
fire as a signal, which they answered in a similar way. Mr. Wentzel
was immediately sent, in expectation of getting provision from them.
On his return, we learned that the party consisted of three old
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