298 Thirty Years 



The party then moved on ; Vaillant's blanket and 

 other necessaries were left in the track, at the request 

 of the Canadians, without any hope, however, of his 

 being able to reach them. After marching until dusk 

 without seeing a favorable place for encamping, night 

 compelled us to take shelter under the lee of a hill, 

 amongst some willows, with which, after many at- 

 tempts, we at length made a fire. It was not suffi- 

 cient, however, to warm the whole party, much less to 

 thaw our shoes ; and the weather not permitting the 

 gathering of tripe de roche, we had nothing to cook. 



The painful retrospection of the melancholy events 

 of the day banished sleep, and we shuddered as we con- 

 templated the dreadful effects of this bitterly cold night 

 on our two companions, if still living. Some faint 

 hopes were entertained of Credit's surviving the storm, 

 as he was provided with a good blanket, and had 

 leather to cat. 



The weather was mild next morning. We left the 

 encampment at nine, and a little before noon cam.' to 

 a pivtfy extensive thicket <>f small willows. Dear which 

 there appeared a supply of tripe de roche on the face 

 of tin; rocks. At this place Dr. Richardson and Mr. 

 Hood determined to remain, with John Hepburn, who 

 volunteered to stop with them. The tent was securely 

 pitched, a few willows collected, and the ammunition 



and all Other articles were deposited, except each man's 



