3S4 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the surface of the lake, when St. Germain com- 

 menced making the encampment ; the task was 

 too laborious for me to render him any assistance, 

 and had we not thus providentially found pro- 

 vision, I feel convinced that the next twenty-four 

 hours would have terminated my existence. But 

 this good fortune, in some measure renovated 

 me for the moment, and putting out my whole 

 strength, I contrived to collect a few heads, and 

 with incredible difficulty carried them singly 

 about thirty paces to the fire. 



Darkness stole on us apace, and I became 

 extremely anxious about Beauparlant; several 

 guns were fired, to each of which he answered. 

 We then called out, and again heard his re- 

 sponses though faintly, when I told St. Germain 

 to go and look for him, as I had not strength my- 

 self, being quite exhausted. He said, that he 

 had already placed a pine branch on the ice, and 

 he could then scarcely find his way back, but if 

 he went now he should certainly be lost. In this 

 situation I could only hope that as Beauparlant 

 had my blanket, and every thing requisite to light 

 a fire, he might have encamped at a little distance 

 from us. 



October 17. — The night was cold and clear, 

 but we could not sleep at all, from the pains of 

 having eaten. We suffered the most excruciating 



