of food during the winter. Then the party embarked in canoes and steered for the Mackenzie river.
As the Mackenzie is broad and smooth and without rapids, they quickly reached Fort Norman, the most northern Hudson bay post on the river. It was now early in August, and only a few weeks were left in which to build winter quarters and to lay in a stock of provisions. A place on Great Bear lake was chosen for their village, and Lieutenant Back was given charge of the work of preparation.
Meanwhile Franklin pushed on to the mouth of the Mackenzie. He wished to examine the coast so that he might know just what was needed for travel along that route when spring should come. He found it was an easy journey in his new boat, and when he came to the sea he saw to his joy that it was free from ice and full of seals and whales. When he had made himself acquainted with the character of the coast around the mouth of the river, he returned to the camp on Great Bear lake.
He found that during his absence his companions had named the post Fort Franklin in his honor, and very comfortable arrangements had been made for the winter. Three houses were ready, one for the officers, one for the seamen and Indians, and one for supplies. There were now fifty persons in the party: five officers, nineteen seamen, nine Canadians, two Eskimos, and the rest Indians, including men, women, and children. They were a mixed company, truly, but they passed the season pleasantly together. The officers worked hard collecting important facts about the water, ice, animals, mosses, weather, and sky. They also took charge of a school, which Franklin insisted upon maintaining for the Indians and the Eskimos. Attendance at this school was compulsory,
