OF THE POLAR SEA. ST9 



I determined to remain a day here to repose 

 ourselves, and then to go in search of the Indians, 

 and in the event of missing them, to proceed to 

 the first trading establishment, which was distant 

 about one hundred and thirty miles, and from 

 thence to send succour to my companions. This 

 indeed I should have done immediately, as the 

 most certain manner of executing my purpose, 

 had there been any probability of the river and 

 lakes being frozen to the southward, or had wq 

 possessed sufficient strength to have clambered 

 over the rocks and mountains which impeded the 

 direct way ; but as we were aware of our inability 

 to do so, I listened to St. Germain's proposal, 

 which was, to follow the deer into the woods, 

 (so long as they did not lead us out of our route 

 to the Indians,) and if possible to collect suffi- 

 cient food to carry us to Fort Providence. We 

 now set about making mittens and snow shoes, 

 whilst Belanger searched under the snow, and 

 collected a mass of old bones, which when burned 

 and used with a little salt we found palatable 

 enough, and made a tolerable meal. At night 

 St. Germain returned, having seen plenty of 

 tracks, but no animals ; the day was cloudy, with 

 fresh breezes, and the river was frozen at the 

 borders. 



On the 11th we prepared for our journey. 



