CHAPTER XII 



CONTINUATION OF THE JOURNEY TO FORT SEVERN 



THE break-up of the winter was early, according to my 

 companions, who were well acquainted with the times 

 and seasons in this region. Throughout February the 

 weather was bitterly cold, with easterly for the most 

 prevalent winds ; but in March there was much bright 

 sunshine, and a few partial thaws which made moving 

 about deplorable work. At the end of the month the 

 ice began to break, and we were up to the knees in 

 slush. 



On all the brooks the ice was from about six to twelve 

 inches thick. Where there were falls or strong rapids it 

 was of course absent, but in other parts the streams were 

 frozen quite over. But for the portages it would have 

 been an easy matter to travel along the waterways ; but 

 the great number of rapids prevented this being done 

 until the ice broke up and permitted the canoe to be 

 used. I mention this as the reason why we did not move 

 sooner, because at this time our dry provisions were quite 

 exhausted, and we were living on venison and game, and 

 boiled grass. The want of tea or cocoa was a great 

 deprivation to me, though my companions, the Indian 

 especially, treated the loss with but little concern. Other 

 necessaries also, and particularly ammunition, were run- 

 ning very short ; and these circumstances induced me to 

 start at the earliest possible day for one of the Company's 

 posts for the purpose of trying to replenish our stock. 



On the 15th April the river was open though full of 

 blocks of ice, which in the neighbourhood of the portages 



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