morning, became piercingly cold, and the drift rendered it difficult
for those in the rear to follow the track over the heights ; whilst
in the valleys, where it was sufficiently marked, from the depth
of the snow, the labour of walking was proportionably great. Those
in advance made, as usual, frequent halts, yet being unable from the
severity of the weather to remain long still, they were obliged to
move on before the rear could come up, and the party, of course,
straggled very much.
About noon Samandrè coming up, informed us that Crédit and
Vaillant could advance no further. Some willows being discovered
in a valley near us, I proposed to halt the party there, whilst
Dr. Richardson went back to visit them. I hoped too, that when
the sufferers received the information of a fire being kindled at
so short a distance they would be cheered, and use their utmost
efforts to reach it, but this proved a vain hope. The Doctor found
Vaillant about a mile and a half in the rear, much exhausted
with cold and fatigue. Having encouraged him to advance to
the fire, after repeated solicitations he made the attempt, but fell
down amongst the deep snow at every step. Leaving him in this
situation, the Doctor went about half a mile farther back, to the
spot where Crédit was said to have halted, and the track being
nearly obliterated by the snow drift, it became unsafe for him to go
further. Returning he passed Vaillant, who having moved only a
few yards in his absence, had fallen down, was unable to rise, and
could scarcely answer his questions. Being unable to afford him
any effectual assistance, he hastened on to inform us of his situation.
When J. B. Belanger had heard the melancholy account, he went
immediately to aid Vaillant, and bring up his burden. Respecting
Crédit, we were informed by Semandrè, that he had stopped a short
distance behind Vaillant, but that his intention was to return to the
encampment of the preceding evening.
When Belanger came back with Vaillant’s load, he informed us
that he had found him lying on his back, benumbed with cold, and
incapable of being roused. The stoutest men of the party were now
earnestly entreated to bring him to the fire, but they declared themselves
unequal to the task ; and, on the contrary, urged me to allow
them to throw down their loads, and proceed to Fort Enterprise
with the utmost speed. A compliance with their desire would have
caused the loss of the whole party, for the men were totally ignorant
of the course to be pursued, and none of the officers, who could have
directed the march, were sufficiently strong to keep up at the pace
they would then walk ; besides, even supposing them to have found
their way, the strongest men would certainly have deserted the
weak. Something, however, was absolutely necessary to be done, to
relieve them as much as possible from their burdens, and the officers
consulted on the subject. Mr. Hood and Dr. Richardson proposed
to remain behind, with a single attendant, at the first place where
sufficient wood and tripe de roche should be found for ten days
consumption ; and that I should proceed as expeditiously as possible
with the men to the house, and thence send them immediate relief.
They strongly urged that this arrangement would contribute to the
safety of the rest of the party, by relieving them from the burden of
a tent, and several other articles ; and that they might afford aid to
Crédit, if he should unexpectedly come up. I was distressed
beyond description at the thought of leaving them in such a
dangerous situation, and for a long time combated their proposal ;
but they strenuously urged, that this step afforded the only chance
of safety for the party, and I reluctantly acceded to it. The ammunition,
of which we had a small barrel, was also to be left with them,
and it was hoped that this deposit would be a strong inducement for
the Indians to venture across the barren grounds to their aid. We
communicated this resolution to the men, who were cheered at the
slightest prospect of alleviation to their present miseries, and promised
with great appearance of earnestness to return to those
officers, upon the first supply of food.