318 Thirty Years 



to rise, and we had frequently to lift each other from 

 our seats ; but even in this pitiable condition we con- 

 versed cheerfully, being sanguine as to the speedy ar- 

 rival of the Indians. We calculated indeed that if 

 they should be near the situation where they had re- 

 mained last winter, our men would have reached them 

 by this day. Having expended all the wood which we 

 could procure from our present dwelling, without en- 

 dangering its falling, Peltier began this day to pull 

 down the partitions of the adjoining houses. Though 

 these were only distant about twenty yards, yet the 

 increase of labor in carrying the wood fatigued him so 

 much, that by the evening he was exhausted. On the 

 nexl day his weakness was such, especially in the arms, 

 of which he chiefly complained, that he with dilliculty 

 lifted the hatchet ; still he persevered, Samandr6 and 

 I assisting him in bringing in the wood, but our uni- 

 ted strength could only collect sufficient to replenish 

 the lio- four limes in the course of the day. As the 

 insides of our mouths had become sore from eating the 

 bone soup, we relinquished the use of it, and now boil* d 

 our skin, which mode of dressing we found more 



palatable than frying it, as we had hitherto dene. 



On the 29th, Peltier felt his pains mure severe, and 

 Could only cut a few pieces of wood. Samaiidiv, who 



was still almosl as weak, relieved him a little time, 

 and 1 i them in carrying in the wood. We 



