128 Thirty Years 



heaviest punishment on any that should persist in 

 their refusal to go on, or in any other way attempt to 

 retard the Expedition. I considered this decisive 

 step necessary, having learned from the gentlemen 

 most intimately acquainted with the character of the 

 Canadian voyagers, that they invariably try how far 

 they can impose upon every new master with whom 

 they may serve, and that they will continue to he 

 disobedient and intractable if they once gain any 

 ascendency over him. I must admit, however, that 

 the present hardships of our. companions were of a kind 

 which few could support without murmuring, and no 

 one could witness without feeling a sincere pity for 

 their sufferings. 



After this discussion we went forward until sunset. 

 In the course of the day we crossed seven lakes and 

 as many portages. Just as we had encamped, we 

 were delighted to see four of the hunters arrive, with 

 the flesh of two reindeer. This seasonable supply, 

 though only sufficienl for this evening's and the next- 

 consumption, instantly revived the spirits of our 

 companions, and they immediately forgot all their 

 As we did not, after this period, experience 

 any deficiency of food during this journey, they worked 

 extremely well, and Mever again reflected upfJri 

 they had done before, for rashly bringing them into an 

 inhospitable country, where the means of subsistence 

 could not be procured. 



