186 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
duce cretin children ; indeed the want of chastity 
in the half-breed women would be a bar to the 
deduction of any inference on this head.” 
February 8,—Having recovered from the swell- 
ings and pains which our late march from Cum- 
berland had occasioned, we prepared for the com- 
mencement of our journey to Isle 4 la Crosse, 
and requisitions were made on both the establish- 
ments for the means of conveyance, and the ne- 
Cessary supply of provisions for the party, which 
were readily fumished. On the 9th the carioles 
and sledges were loaded, and sent off after break- 
fast; but Mr. Back and I remained till the after- 
noon, as Mr. Prudens had offered that his horses 
should convey us to the encampment, At3 P.M. 
we parted from our kind host, and in passing 
through the gate were honoured with a salute of _ 
musketry. After riding six miles, we joined the 
men at their encampment, which was made under 
the shelter of a few poplars. The dogs had been 
so much fatigued in wading through the very deep 
Snow with their heavy burdens, having to drag. 
upwards of ninety pounds’ weight each, that they 
could get no farther. Soon after our arrival, the 
snow began to fall heavily, and it continued 
through the greater part of the night. 
Our next day’s march was therefore particularly 
tedious, the snow being deep, and the route lying 
