32-t JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



remained there a considerable time, but none 

 of the party felt themselves sufficiently strong to 

 go after them, nor was there one of us who could 

 have fired a gun without resting it. 



Whilst we were seated round the fire this 

 evening, discoursing about the anticipated relief, 

 the conversation was suddenly interrupted by 

 Peltier's exclaiming with joy, *' Ah ! le monde /" 

 imagining that he heard the Indians in the other 

 room ; immediately afterwards, to hia bitter dis- 

 appointment, Dr. Richardson and Hepburn en- 

 tered, each carrying his bundle. Peltier, how- 

 ever, soon recovered himself enough to express 

 his joy at their safe arrival, and his regret that 

 their companions were not with them. When I 

 saw them alone my own mind was instantly filled 

 with apprehensions respecting my friend Hood, 

 and our other companions, which were imme- 

 diately confirmed by the Doctor's melancholy 

 communication, that Mr. Hood and Michel were 

 dead. Perrault and Fontano had neither reached 

 tlie tent, nor been heard of by them. This intel- 

 ligence produced a melancholy despondency in 

 the minds of my party, and on that account the 

 particulars were deferred until another opportu- 

 nity. We were all shocked at beholding the 

 emaciated countenances of the Doctor and Hep- 

 bum, as they strongly evidenced their extremely 



