more at ease, having done all in my power to succour my unfortunate
companions; but was very anxious for the return of the
messenger. The Indians brought me meat in small quantities,
though sufficient for our daily consumption ; and, as we had a little
ammunition, many were paid on the spot for what they gave.
On the 9th I had the satisfaction of seeing the Indian arrive from
Fort Enterprise. At first he said they were all dead, but shortly
after he gave me a note, which was from the Commander, and then
I learned all the fatal particulars which had befallen them. I now
proposed that the Chief should immediately send three sledges,
loaded with meat to Fort Enterprise, should make a cache of provision
at our present encampment, and also, that he should here
await the arrival of the Commander. By noon two large trains,
laden with meat, were sent off for Fort Enterprise. The next day
weproceded on our journey, and arrived at Fort Providence on the
21st of November.
[Conclusion o f Mr. Back’s Narrative.']
I have little now to add to the melancholy detail which I have
felt it proper to give; but I cannot omit to state, that the unremitting
care and attentions of our kind friends, Mr. M'Vicar and
Mr. M‘Auley, united with our improved diet, to promote the
restoration of our health; so that, by the end of February, the
swellings of our limbs, which had returned upon us, entirely subsided,
and we were able to walk to any part of the Island. Our
appetites gradually moderated, and we nearly regained our ordinary
state of body before the spring. Hepburn alone suffered from a
severe attack of rheumatism, which confined him to his bed for some
wééks. The usual symptoms of spring having appeared, on the 25th
of May, we prepared to embark for Fort Chipewyan. Fortunately,
on the following morning, a canoe arrived from that place with the
whole of the stores which we required for the payment of Akaitcho
and the hunters. It was extremely gratifying to us to be thus
enabled, previous to our departure, to make arrangements respecting
the requital of our late Indian companions ; and the more so, as we
had recently discovered that Akaitcho, and the whole of his tribe, in
consequence of the death of the leader’s mother, and the wife of our
old guide Keskarrah, had broken and destroyed every useful article
belonging to them, and were in the greatest distress. It was an
additional pleasure to find our stock of ammunition more than sufficient
to pay them what was due, and that we could make a consider-
è,blé present of this most essential article to every individual that ha
been attached to the Expedition*.
"We quitted Moose-deer Island at five P.M., on the 26th, accom-
* My readers will rej oice to learn, that I have lately received a message from Akaitcho,
that hi and his tribe were perfectly satisfied with the stores and M O M N »
which had been sent to them, and that they would be wdlmgtoacc^mpany meand
other officers, if \ye should revisit their lands, on another Expe i ion. 3* R 2 *