perceived when we passed it. Course and distance: from Galena
Point to this encampment were S.E.|S.—forty-one miles.
' From the accounts of Blackmeat and Boileau at Fort Chipewyan,
we considered this river to be the Anatessy; and Cape Barrow
to be the projection which they supposed to be the Jf.E.
termination of America. The outline of the coast, indeed, bears
some resemblance to the chart they sketched; and the distance
of this river from the Copper Mine, nearly coincides with what
we estimated the Anatessy to be, from their statements. In our
subsequent journey, however, across the barren grounds we ascertained
that this conjecture was wrong, and that the Anatessy, which
is known to come from Rum Lake, must fall into the sea to the
eastward of this place.
Our stock of provision being now reduced to eight days’ consumption,
it had become a matter of the first importance to obtain
a supply; and as we had learned from Terregannceuk that the
Esquimaux keep near the rivers at this season, I determined on
seeking a communication with them here, in the hope of obtaining
relief for our present wants, or even shelter for the winter
if the season should prevent us from returning either to the
Hook’s party, or Fort Enterprise; and I was the more induced
to take this step at this time, as several deer had been seen today,
and the river appeared good for fishing: which led me to hope
we might support the party during our stay, if not add to our stock
by our own exertions in hunting and fishing. Augustus, Junius,
and Hepburn, were therefore furnished with the necessary presents,
and desired to go along the bank of the river as far as they could,
on the following day, in search of the natives, to obtain provision
and leather, as well as information respecting the coast.
They started at four A.M., and at the same time our hunters
were sent off in search of deer: and the rest of the party proceeded
in the canoes to the first cascade in the river, at the foot of which
we encamped, and set four nets. This cascade, produced by a
ridge of rocks crossing the stream, is about three or four feet in
height, and about two hundred and fifty yards wide. Its position
by our observations in latitude. 67° 19' 23" N., longitude 109° 44'
30" W., variation 41° 43' 22", dip 88° 58' 48". I have named this
river Hood, as a small tribute to the memory of our lamented friend
and companion. It is from three to four hundred yards wide below
the cascade, but in many places very shallow. The banks, bottom,
and adjacent hills, are formed of a mixture of sand and clay. The
ground was overspread with small willows and the dwarf birch, both
too diminutive for fuel; and the stream brought down no drift
wood. We were mortified to find the nets only procured one
salmon and five white fish, and that we had to make another inroad
upon our dried meat.
August 1.—At two this morning the hunters returned with two
small deer and a brown bear. Augustus and Junius arrived at the
same time, having traced the river twelve miles further up, without
discovering any vestige of inhabitants. We had now an opportunity
of gratifying our curiosity respecting the bear so much
dreaded by the Indians, and of whose strength ând ferocity we
had heard such terrible accounts. It proved to be a lean male of
a. yellowish brown colour, and not longer than a common black
bear. It made a feeble attempt to defend itself, and was easily
despatched. The flesh was brought to the tent, but our fastidious
voyagers supposing from its leanness, that the animal had been
sickly, declined eating it; the officers, however, being less scrupulous,
boiled the paws, and found them excellent.
We embarked at ten A.M., and proceeding down the river, took
on board another deer that had been killed by Crédit last evening.
We then ran along the eastern shore of Arctic Sound, distinguished
by the name of Banks’ Peninsula, in honour of the late Right