These Gentlemen Had Brought All The Stores
They Could Procure From The Establishments At Cumberland And Isle A 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 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.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 221 of 649
Words from 59786 to 60065
of 176017
