We had been indeed made acquainted with their character on these points by the traders; but we thought that when they saw their officers living under equal if not greater privations than themselves they would have been prompted by some degree of generous feeling to abstain from those depredations which under ordinary circumstances they would scarcely have blushed to be detected in.
As they were pretty well aware that such a circumstance could not long be concealed from us one of them came the next morning with an artful apology for their conduct.

He stated that as they knew it was my intention to treat them with a dram on the commencement of the new year they had helped themselves to a small quantity on that day, trusting to my goodness for forgiveness and, being unwilling to act harshly at this period, I did forgive them after admonishing them to be very circumspect in their future conduct.
The ammunition and a small present of rum were sent to Akaitcho.
On the 18th Vaillant the woodman had the misfortune to break his axe.
This would have been a serious evil a few weeks sooner but we had just received some others from Slave Lake.
On the 27th Mr.Wentzel and St.Germain arrived with the two Esquimaux, Attannoeuck and Hoeootoerock (the belly and the ear).

The English names which were bestowed upon them at Fort Churchill in commemoration of the months of their arrival there are Augustus and Junius.

The former speaks English.
We now learned that Mr.Back proceeded with Beauparlant to Fort Chipewyan on the 24th of December to procure stores, having previously discharged J.Belleau from our service at his own request and according to my directions.

I was the more induced to comply with this man's desire of leaving us as he proved to be too weak to perform the duty of bowman which he had undertaken.
Four dogs were brought up by this party and proved a great relief to our wood-haulers during the remainder of the season.
By the arrival of Mr.Wentzel who is an excellent musician and assisted us (con amore) in our attempts to amuse the men we were enabled to gratify the whole establishment with an occasional dance.