were nearly a month on their way
going, and consequently they had consumed almost all the provisions
they had for the whole trip. Mr. Erlandson's scanty supply not
allowing him to afford them any assistance for their return, they
commenced their journey homeward with one meal a day, which they
continued until all was gone, when they fed on their dogs; and they
finally arrived at the house without having tasted any kind of food
for three days. Their spectre-like forms excited the greatest pity;
the interpreter, who came to tell me of their arrival, was in tears.
No time was lost in administering relief; but the greatest caution
was necessary in administering it, or the consequences might have been
fatal.

I was mortified to find, on the approach of spring, that my stock of
goods did not admit of supplying the interior; and I was consequently
compelled to relinquish the advantages that had cost us so much to
acquire. Without goods we could not, of course, maintain our position
in that quarter.

CHAPTER VI.

TRIP TO ESQUIMAUX BAY--GOVERNOR'S INSTRUCTIONS--MY REPORT
TO THE COMMITTEE--RECOMMEND THE ABANDONMENT OF UNGAVA
SETTLEMENT--SUCCESS OF THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION, CONDUCTED
BY MESSRS. DEASE AND SIMPSON--RETURN BY SEA TO FORT
CHIMO--NARROWLY ESCAPE SHIPWRECK IN THE UNGAVA RIVER--INHUMAN
AND IMPOLITIC MEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR--CONSEQUENT DISTRESS AT
THE POST.

Immediately on the opening of the navigation I started for Esquimaux
Bay, with two Indians, in a small canoe, and without any of the
usual conveniences. Mr. Erlandson having been ordered to the southern
department, followed in another canoe.

Arrived at the post, we were gratified by the receipt of despatches
just come to hand by the ship. The Governor's letter apprized me
that a vessel would be sent round to Ungava every alternate year; and
strictly enjoined me to have no further communication with Esquimaux
Bay _overland_, "as much unnecessary expense was incurred by these
journeys." Thus were we consigned to our fate for a period of two
years with as little feeling as if we had been so many cattle, and
debarred from all communication with our friends, by word or letter,
merely to save a trifling expense!

Could the Honourable Company be swayed by so paltry a consideration in
subjecting us to so grievous an inconvenience? Surely not; a body of
men so respectable could neither have authorized nor sanctioned such
sordid pars