298 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



range of bleak hills. The wind having increased 

 to a strong gale in the course of the morning, be- 

 came piercingly cold, and the drift rendered it dif- 

 ficult for those in the rear to follow the track over 

 the heights, whilst in the valleys, where it was 

 sufficiently marked, from the depth of the snow, 

 the labour of walking was proportionably great. 

 Those in advance made, as usual, frequent halts, 

 yet being unable from the severity of the wea- 

 ther to remain long still, they were obliged to 

 move on before the rear could come up, and the 

 party, of course, straggled very much. 



About noon Samandre coming up, informed us 

 that Credit and Vaillant could advance no fur- 

 ther. Some willows being discovered in a valley 

 near to us, I proposed to halt the party there, 

 whilst Dr. Richardson went back to visit them. 

 I hoped too, that when the sufferers received the 

 information of a fire being kindled at so short a 

 distance, they would be cheered, and use their 

 utmost efforts to reach it, but this proved a vain 

 hope. The Doctor found Vaillant about a mile 

 and a half in the rear, much exhausted with cold 

 and fatigue. Having encouraged him to advance 

 to the fire, after repeated solicitations he made 

 the attempt, but fell down amongst the deep snow 

 at every step. Leaving him in this situation, 



