and sore in the joints, particularly between the shoulders. At eight
we encamped among a small clump of willows.
On the 6th we set out at an early hour, pursuing our route over
a range of hills, at the foot of one of which we saw several large
pines, and a great quantity of willows; a sight that encouraged us
to quicken our pace, as we were now certain we could not be far
from the woods. Indeed we were making considerable progress,
when Belanger unfortunately broke through the ice, and sank up to
the hips. The weather being cold, he was in danger of freezing,
but some brushwood on the borders of the lake enabled us to make
a fire to dry him. At the same time we took the opportunity of
refreshing ourselves with a kettle of swamp tea.
My increasing debility had for some time obliged me to use a stick
for the purpose of extending my arms; the pain in my shoulders
being so acute, that I could not bear them to remain in the usual
position for two minutes together. We halted at five among some
small brushwood, and made a sorry meal of an old pair of leather
trowsers, and some swamp tea.
The night was cold with a hard frost, and though two persons
slept together, yet we could not by any means keep ourselves warm,
but remained trembling the whole time. The following morning
we crossed several lakes, occasionally seeing the recent tracts of deer,
and at noon we fell upon Marten Lake; it happened to be at the
exact spot where we had been the last year with the canoes, yet
though I immediately recognised the place, the men would not
believe it to be the same ; at length, by pointing out several marks,
and relating circumstances connected with them, they recovered
their memory, and a simultaneous expression of “ Mon Dieu, nous
sommes sauvés,” broke from the whole. Contrary to our expectations
the lake was frozen sufficiently to bear us, so that we were
excused from making the circuit of the different bays. This circumstance
seemed to impart fresh vigour to us, and we walked as fast as
the extreme smoothness of the ice would permit, intending to reach
the Dog Bib Rock that night; but an unforeseen and almost fatal accident
prevented the prosecution of our plan ; Belanger (who seemed
the victim of misfortune) again broke through the ice, in a deep part
near the head of the rapid, but was timely saved by our fastening
our worsted belts together, and pulling him out. By urging him
forwards as quick as his icy garments would admit, to prevent his
freezing, we reached a few pines, and kindled a fire; but it was late
before he even felt warm, though he was so near the flame as to burn
bis hair twice; and to add to our distress, (since we could not pursue
them,) three wolves crossed the lake close to us.
The night of the 7th was extremely stormy, and about ten the
following morning, on attempting to go on, we found it totally impossible,
being too feeble to oppose the wind and drift, which frequently
blew us down, and on attempting to cross a small lake that
lay in our way, drove us faster backwards than, with every effort, we
could get forwards; we therefore encamped under the shelter of a
small clump of pines, secure from the south-west storm that was
raging around us. In the evening, there being no tripe de roche, we
were compelled to satisfy, or rather allay the cravings of hunger, by
eating a gun cover and a pair of old shoes; at this time I had
scarcely strength to get on my legs.
The wind did not in the least abate during the night, but in the
morning of the 9th it changed to north-east, and became moderate.
We took advantage of this circumstance, and rising with great difficulty,
set out; though had it not been for the hope of reaching the
house, I am certain, from the excessive faintness which almost overpowered
me, that I must have remained where I was. We passed
the Dog Rib Rock, and making frequent halts, arrived within a short
distance of Fort Enterprise; but as we perceived neither any marks