12S JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



apprize Mr. Back and Fontano of our situation. 

 St. Germain having killed a deer in the afternoon, 

 we received an acceptable supply of meat. The 

 night was stormy and very cold. 



^ At five the next morning, our men were sent in 

 different directions after our absent companions ; 

 but as the weather was foggy, we despaired of 

 finding them, unless they should chance to hear the 

 muskets our people were desired to fire. They re- 

 turned, however, at ten, bringing intelligence of 

 them. I went immediately with Hepburn to join 

 Mr. Back, and directed Mr. Hood to proceed 

 with the Canadians, and halt with them at a spot 

 where the hunters had killed a deer. Though 

 Mr. Back was much fatigued he set oflf with me 

 immediately, and in the evening we rejoined our 

 friends on the borders of the Big Lake. The 

 Indians informed us that Fontano only remained 

 a few hours with them, and then continued his 

 journey. We had to oppose a violent gale and 

 frequent snow-stonns through the day, which un- 

 seasonable weather caused the temperature to de- 

 scend below the freezing point this evening. The 

 situation of our encampment being bleak, and our 

 fuel stunted green willows, we passed a very 

 cold and uncomfortable night. 



June 18.-~Though the breeze was moderate 

 this morning, the air was piercingly keen. 



