300 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the officers, who could have directed the march, 

 were sufficiently strong to keep up at the pace 

 they would then walk ; besides, even supposing 

 them to have found their way, the strongest men 

 would certainly have deserted the weak. Some- 

 thing, however, was absolutely necessary to be 

 done, to reheve them as much as possible from 

 their burdens, and the officers consulted on the 

 subject. Mr. Hood and Dr. Richardson pro- 

 posed to remain behind, with a single attendant, 

 at the first place where sufficient wood and tripG 

 de roche should be found for ten days' consump- 

 tion ; and that I should proceed as expeditiously 

 as possible with the men to the house, and thence 

 send them immediate relief. They strongly 

 urged that this arrangement would contribute to 

 the safety of the rest of the party, by relieving 

 them from the burden of a tent, and several 

 other articles ; and that they might afford aid to 

 Credit, if he should unexpectedly come up. I 

 was distressed beyond description at the thought 

 of leaving them in such a dangerous situation, 

 and for a long time combated their proposal ; 

 but they strenuously urged, that this step afford- 

 ed the only chance of safety for the party, and I 

 reluctantly acceded to it. The ammunition, of 

 which we had a small barrel, was also to be left 

 with them, and it w^as hoped that this deposit 



