ILL SUCCESS OF MR. M c LEOD. 237 



steersman), were sent to the clump of pines 

 found by De Charloit in September last, and 

 directed to saw sufficient planking for the pur- 

 pose. 



The weather having now changed somewhat 

 for the better, a little provision was occasionally 

 brought from one of the hunters ; and I looked 

 daily for a large supply from Mr. M c Leod. But, 

 as if it were destined that matters should not go 

 smoothly, intelligence was conveyed that far 

 from being able to assist us, he could get neither 

 fish nor flesh ; and had, as a last resource, been 

 obliged to transfer the men to the other fishery 

 under the charge of M c Kay, for the preservation 

 of their lives. In performing this journey, the 

 poor fellows were again three days without food. 

 Two young Indians also came to the Fort about 

 this time, as it appeared to us, solely for ammu- 

 nition. They saw that our store was empty, and 

 must have understood our distress ; but to our 

 repeated questions as to their success, they uni- 

 formly answered with apparent indifference, "Et- 

 then oolah," — there are no deer. Having been 

 provided with what they required, they were 

 dismissed, and requested to be alert in hunt- 

 ing ; but still they answered, " Etthen oolah — 

 tahoutai * ; " and with the most stoical com- 

 posure lounged about the house, or lolled before 



* " There are no deer." 



