was frequently interrupted by bursts of tears. One woman was so
affected by the loss of her only son, that she seemed deprived of
reason, and wandered about the tents the whole day, crying and
singing out his name.
On the 1st of December we removed with the Indians to the
southward.
On the 4th we again set off after the Indians about noon, and
soon overtook them, as they had halted, to drag from the water, and
cut up and share a moose-deer, that had been drowned in a rapid
part of the river, partially covered with ice. These operations
detained us a long time, which was the more disagreeable, as the
weather was extremely unpleasant from cold low fogs. We were all
much fatigued at the hour of encampment, which was after dark,
though the day’s journey did not exceed four miles.: At every halt
the elderly men of the tribe made holes in the ice and put in their
lines. One of them shared the produce of his fishery with us this
evening.
In the afternoon of the 6th, Belanger, and another Canadian,
arrived from Fort Providence, sent by Mr. Weeks with two trains of
dogs, some spirits and tobacco for the Indians, a change of dress for
ourselves, and a little tea and sugar. They also brought letters for
us from England, and from Mr. Back, and Mr. Wentzel. By the
former we received the gratifying intelligence of the successful termination
of Captain Parry’s voyage ; and were informed of the promotion
of myself and Mr. Back, and of poor Hood, our grief for
whose loss was renewed by this intelligence.
The letter from Mr. Back stated, that the rival Companies in the
fur trade had united; but that, owing to some cause which had not
been explained to him, the goods intended 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 nonarrival
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 assistance 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 Eiver, 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 had been 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 woods for some distance,
which was very fatiguing, especially to Dr. Richardson, whose feet
were severely galled in consequence of some defect in his snow-
shoes.
On the llth, however, we arrived at the Fort, which was still