280 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



seven or eight feet high, in a valley near the en- 

 campment. 



The bounty of Providence was most seasonably 

 manifested to us next morning, in our killing 

 five small deer out of a herd, which came in 

 sight as we were on the point of starting. This 

 unexpected supply re-animated the drooping 

 spirits of our men, and filled every heart with 

 gratitude. 



The voyagers instantly petitioned for a day's 

 rest which we were most reluctant to grant, 

 being aware of the importance of every moment 

 at this critical period of our journey. But they so 

 earnestly and strongly pleaded their recent suf- 

 ferings, and their conviction, that the quiet enjoy- 

 ment of two substantial meals, after eight days' 

 famine, would enable them to proceed next day 

 more vigorously, that we could not resist their 

 entreaties. The flesh, the skins, and even the 

 contents of the stomachs of the deer were equally 

 distributed among the party by Mr. Hood, who 

 had volunteered, on the departure of Mr. Wcntzel, 

 to perform the duty of issuing the provision. This 

 invidious task he had all along performed with 

 great impartiality, but seldom without producing 

 some grumbling amongst the Canadians ; and, 

 on the present occasion, the hunters were dis- 



