Lake, I particularly requested them to explain to that tribe the object of our visit, and to endeavour to procure from them some guides and hunters to accompany our party.”
“On the 10th of May we were gratified by the appearance of spring; the trees began to put forth their leaves, and the mosquitoes visited the warm rooms. On the 17th and 18th there were frequent showers of rain, and much thunder and lightning. This weather caused the ice to waste so rapidly, that, by the 24th, it had entirely disappeared from the Lake Athabasca. The gentlemen belonging to both the companies quickly arrived from the posts in this department, bringing their winter’s collection of furs, which are forwarded from these establishments to the depots.”
Lieutenant Franklin now began to make some arrangements respecting the obtaining of men, and the stores he should require for their equipment, as well as for presents for the Indians; but he learnt with regret, that in consequence of the recent lavish expenditure of the Companies’ goods, in support of a determined commercial opposition, their supply to the expedition would, of necessity, be very limited. The men, too, were backward in offering their services, especially those of the Hudson’s Bay Company, who demanded a much higher rate of wages than he considered it would be proper to grant.
