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 snowshoes.
On the 11th however we arrived at the fort which was still under the
charge of Mr. Weeks. He welcomed us in the most kind manner, immediately
gave us changes of dress, and did everything in his power to make us
comfortable.
Our sensations on being once more in a comfortable dwelling after the
series of hardships and miseries we had experienced may be imagined.
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