bounded at the distance of eight miles by a range of hills similar to
the Copper Mountains, but not so lofty. The night came without
bringing any intelligence of our messengers, and our fears for their
safety increased with the length of their absence.
As every one had'been interested in the welfare of these men
through their vivacity and, good-nature, and the assistance they had
cheerfully rendered in bearing their portion of whatever labour might
be going on, their detention formed, the subject of all our conversation,
and numerous conjectures were hazarded as to the cause.
Dr. Kichardson, having the first watch, had gone to the. summit
of the hill and remained seated, contemplating the river that washed
the precipice under his feet, long after dusk had hid distant objects
from his view. His thoughts were, perhaps, far distant from the
surrounding scenery, when he was roused by an indistinct noise
behind him, and on looking round, perceived that nine white wolves
had ranged themselves in form of a crescent, and, were advancing,
apparently with the intention of driving him into the river. On
his rising up they halted, and when he advanced they made way,
for his passage down to the tents. H e had hisgun. in his hand, but
forbore to fire, lest there should be Esquimaux in the neighbourhood.
During Mr. Wentzel’s middle watch, the wolves appeared
repeatedly on the summit of the hill, and at one time they succeeded
in driving a deer over the precipice. The animal, was
stunned by the fall, but recovering itself, swam across the stream,
and escaped up the river. I may remark here, that at midnight it
was tolerably dark in the valley of the river at this time, but that
an object on the eminence above could be distinctly seen against
the. sky.
The following observations were taken at this encampment, latitude
67° 23' 14" N., longitude 116° 6' 51" W., variation 49° 46' 24" E-
Thermometer 7,5° at three P.M. Sultry weather.
Augustus and Junius not having ; returned next morning, we
were more alarmed respecting them, and determined on proceeding
to find out the cause of; their detention, but it was eleven A.M.
before we could prevail upon the Indians to remain behind, which
we wished them to do lest the Esquimaux might be suspicious of
our intentions, if they were seen in our suite. We promised to
send for them when we had paved the way for their reception;
but Akaitcho, ever ready to augur misfortune, expressed his belief
that our messengers had been killed, and that the Esquimaux,
warned of our approach, were lying in wait for us, and “ although,
said he, “ your party may be sufficiently; strong to repulse any
hostile attack, my band is too weak to offer effectual resistance when
separated from you; and therefore we are determined to go on with
you, or return to our lands.” After much argument, however, he
yielded and agreed to stay , behind, provided Mr. Wentzel would
remain with him. This gentleman was accordingly left with a
Canadian attendant, and they promised not to pass a range of hills
then in view to the northward, unless we sent notice to them.
The river during the whole of this day’s voyage flowed between
alternate cliffs of loose sand intermixed with gravel, and red sandstone
rocks, and was every where shallow and rapid. As its course
was very crooked, much time was spent in examining the different
rapids previous to running them, but the canoes descended, except
at a single place, without any difficulty. Most of the officers and
half the men marched along the land to lighten the canoes, and
reconnoitre the country, each person being firmed with a gun and a
dagger. Arriving at a range of mountains which had terminated
our view yesterday, we ascended it with much eagerness, expecting
to see the rapid that Mr. Hearne visited near its base, and to gain
a view of the sea; but our disappointment was proportionably great,
when we beheld beyond, a plain similar to that we had just leit,
terminated by another range of trap hills, between whose tops the