430 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



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 Samandre coming up, informed us that Credit and 

 Vaillant could advance no further. Some willows being discovered 

 in a valley near to us, I proposed to halt the party there, whilst 

 Dr. Kichardson 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 

 Credit was said to have halted, and the track being nearly obliterated 

 by the snow drift, it became unsafe for him to go further. Keturn- 

 ing 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 Credit, we 

 were informed by Samandre, that he had stopped a short distance 

 behind Vaillant, but that his intention was to return to the encamp- 

 ment 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 



