and it was evident to us that he had halted for the purpose of putting his gun in order, with the intention of attacking us, perhaps, whilst we were in the act of encamping.”
On the day after his arrival at Fort Enterprise, the Doctor scarified the swelled parts of Adam’s body, when a large quantity of water flowed out, and he obtained some ease, but still kept his bed. In less than 48 hours afterwards, the only other Canadians there, Peltier and Samandré, breathed their last; and Captain Franklin himself was so dreadfully reduced, that he could scarcely render the least assistance in collecting bones and fuel. The strength of Dr. Richardson and the faithful Hepburn also rapidly declined, and was very nearly exhausted when, providentially, on the 7th of November, the long-expected relief arrived, by the hands of three Indians, from Akaitcho’s encampment.
“They brought but a small supply, that they might travel quickly. It consisted,” says Captain Franklin, “of dried deer’s meat, some fat, and a few tongues. Dr. Richardson, Hepburn, and I, eagerly devoured the food, which they imprudently presented to us in too great abundance, and in consequence we suffered dreadfully from indigestion, and had no rest the whole night. Adam, being unable to feed himself, was more judiciously treated by them, and suffered less; his spirits revived hourly. The circumstance of our eating more food than was proper in our present condition, was another striking proof of the debility of our minds. We were perfectly aware of the danger, and Dr. Richardson repeatedly cautioned us to be moderate; but he was himself unable to practise the caution he so judiciously recommended.
“The youngest of the Indians, after resting about an hour, returned to Akaitcho, with the intelligence of our situation, and he conveyed a note from me to Mr. Back, requesting another supply of meat as soon as possible. The two others, ‘Crooked-Foot’ and ‘The Rat,’ remained to take care of us, until we should be able to move forward. They set about every thing with an activity that amazed us; and the improved state of our apartment, and the large and cheerful fires they kept up, produced in us a sensation of comfort to which we had long been strangers.”
By these men, Captain Franklin also received a letter from Mr. Back, stating that one of his little party had fallen a victim to cold, fatigue, and hunger, about the middle of October. We must now hasten to the conclusion of this moat disastrous journey.
Eight days elapsed, and the inmates of Fort Enterprise
