202 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



We had some difficulty in procuring what we re- 

 quired for the journey, having but little money left, 

 but by judicious barter we at length overcame the 

 difficulty, although, when we came to pay our bill 

 at the Fort, we w^ere compelled to beg off 3s. 4d., 

 by which it exceeded the contents of our purse ! By 

 the kindness of the residents of the Fort, Mr. O'B. 

 was fitted out for the journey with horse and saddle, 

 forty pounds of pemmican, and some tea and tobacco. 



The horses were by this time in fine condition, and 

 w^e resolved to set out at once, in order that we might 

 have plenty of time before us in case of unforeseen 

 delays, although we should thus encounter the rivers 

 at their highest flood, and the morasses in their 

 spongiest condition. 



