488 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



place where the Commander's party had slept on the 19th, the day 

 on which I supposed they had left Fort Enterprise ; but the encamp- 

 ment was so small, that we feared great mortality had taken place 

 amongst them ; and I am sorry to say the stubborn resolution of my 

 men, not to go to the house, prevented me from determining this 

 most anxious point, so that I now almost dreaded passing their en- 

 campments, lest I should see some of our unfortunate friends dead 

 at each spot. Our fire was hardly kindled when a fine herd of deer 

 passed close to us. St. Germain pursued them a short distance, but 

 with his usual want of success, so that we made a meal off the 

 muscles and sinews we had dried, though they were so tough that 

 we could scarcely cut them. My hands were benumbed throughout 

 the march, and we were all stiff and fatigued. The marching of two 

 days weakened us all very much, and the more so on account of 

 our exertion to follow the tracks of our Commander's party ; but 

 we lost them, and concluded that they were not before us. 

 Though the weather was not cold, I was frozen in the face, and was 

 so reduced and affected by these constant calamities, as well in mind 

 as in body, that I found much difficulty in proceeding even with the 

 advantages I had enjoyed. 



November 3. — We set out before day, though, in fact, we were all 

 better adapted to remain, from the excessive pain which we suffered 

 in our joints, and proceeded till one P.M., without halting, when 

 Belanger, who was before, stopped, and cried out, " Footsteps of 

 Indians." It is needless to mention the joy that brightened the 

 countenances of each at this unlooked-for sight ; we knew relief 

 must be at hand, and considered our sufferings at an end. St. 

 Germain inspected the tracks, and said that three persons had 

 passed the day before ; and that he knew the remainder must be 

 advancing to the southward, as it was customary with Indians, 

 when they sent to the trading establishment on the first ice. On 

 this information we encamped, and, being too weak to walk myself, 



