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 a 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 activity on their recent passage to this
place by discharging those men who were less willing to undertake the
journey; of these three were Englishmen, one American, and three
Canadians. When the numbers were completed which we had been recommended
by the traders to take as a protection against the Esquimaux we had
sixteen Canadian voyagers and our worthy and only English attendant John
Hepburn, besides the two interpreters whom we were to receive at the
Great Slave Lake; we were also accompanied by a Chipewyan woman. An
equipment of goods was given to each of the men who had been engaged at
this place similar to what had been furnished to the others at
Cumberland; and when this distribution had been made the remainder were
made up into bales preparatory to our departure on the following day. We
were cheerfully assisted in these and all our occupations by Mr. Smith
who evinced an anxious desire to supply our wants as far as his means
permitted.
Mr. Hood having brought up the dipping needle from Cumberland House, we
ascertained the dip to be 85 degrees 23 minutes 42 seconds, and the
difference produced by reversing the face of the instrument was 6 degrees
2 minutes 10 seconds.
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