CHAPTER VII.
Departure from Chipewyan--Difficulties of the various Navigations of the Rivers and Lakes, and of the Portages--Slave Lake and Fort Providence--Scarcity of Provisions, and discontent of the Canadian Voyagers--Difficulties with regard to the Indian Guides--Refusal to proceed--Visit of Observation to the Upper part of Copper-Mine River--Return to the Winter-Quarters of Fort Enterprise.
1820.

July 18.
Early this morning the stores were distributed to the three canoes.

Our stock of provision unfortunately did not amount to more than sufficient for one day's consumption, exclusive of two barrels of flour, three cases of preserved meats, some chocolate, arrow-root, and portable soup, which we had brought from England, and intended to reserve for our journey to the coast the next season.

Seventy pounds of moose meat and a little barley were all that Mr.Smith was enabled to give us.

It was gratifying, however, to perceive that this scarcity of food did not depress the spirits of our Canadian companions, who cheerfully loaded their canoes, and embarked in high glee after they had received the customary dram.