pass the summer, returned to the fort in consequence of a serious
accident having befallen their canoe in the Red Deer River t when
they were in the act of hauling up a strong rapid, the line broke, the
canoe was overturned, and two of the party narrowly escaped
drowning ; fortunately the women and children happened to be on
shore, or, in all probability, they would have perished in the confusion
of the scene. Nearly all their stores, their guns and fishing
nets were lost, and they could not procure any other food for the last
four days than some unripe berries.
Some gentlemen arrived in the evening with a party of Chipewyan
Indians, from Hay River, a post between the Peace River, and the
Great Slave Lake. These men gave distressing accounts of sickness
among their relatives, and the Indians in general along the Peace
River, and said many of them have died. The disease was described
as dysentery. On the 10th and 11th, we had very sultry
weather, and were dreadfully tormented by musquitoes. The highest
temperature was 73°.
July 13.—This morning Mr. Rack and I had the sincere gratification
of welcoming our long-separated friends, Dr. Richardson and
Mr. Hood, who arrived in perfect health with two canoes, having
made a very expeditious journey from Cumberland, notwithstanding
they were detained near three days in consequence of the melancholy
loss of one of their bowmen, by the upsetting of a canoe in a
strong rapid ; but, as the occurrences of this journey, together with
the mention of some other circumstances that happened previous to
their departure from Cumberland, which have been extracted from
Mr. Hood’s narrative, will appear in the following chapter, it will be
unnecessary to enter farther into these points now.
The zeal and talent displayed by Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood,
in the discharge of their several duties since my separation from
them, drew forth my highest approbation. These gentlemen had
brought all the stores they could procure from the establishments at
Cumberland and Me k la Crosse; and at the latter place they had
received ten bags of pemmican from the North-West Company,
which proved to be mouldy, and so totally unfit for use, that it was
left at the Methye Portage. They got none from the Hudson’s Bay
Post. The voyagers belonging to that Company, being destitute of
provision, had eaten what was intended for us. In consequence of
these untoward circumstances, the canoes arrived with only one day’s
supply of this most essential article. The prospect of having to
commence' our journey from hence, almost destitute of provision, and
scantily supplied with stores, was distressing to us, and very discouraging
to the men. It was evident, however, that any unnecessary
delay here would have been very imprudent, as Fort Chipewyan
did not, at the present time, furnish the means of subsistence
for so large a party, much less was there a prospect of our receiving
any supply to carry us forward. We, therefore, hastened to make
the necessary arrangements for our speedy departure. All the stores
were demanded that could possibly be spared from both the establishments
; and we rejoiced to find, that when this collection was added
to the articles that had been brought up by the canoes, we had a
sufficient quantity of clothing for the equipment of the men who
had been engaged here, as well as to furnish a present to the
Indians, besides some few goods for the winter’s consumption; but
we could not procure any ammunition, which was the most essential
article, or spirits, and but little tobacco.
We then made a final arrangement respecting the voyagers, who
were to accompany the party; and, fortunately, there was no difficulty
in doing this, as Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood had taken the
very judicious precaution of bringing up ten men from Cumberland,
who were engaged to proceed forward if their services were required.
The Canadians, whom they brought, were most desirous of being
continued, and we felt sincere pleasure in being able to keep men
who were so zealous in the cause, and who had given proofs of their