366 Thirty Years 



pendence, began to be scarce, so that we could only 

 collect sufficient to make half a kettleful, which, with 

 the addition of a partridge each, that St. Germain had 

 killed, made us a tolerable meal ; during this day I 

 felt very weak and sore in the joints, particularly be- 

 tween the shoulders. At night we encamped among a 

 small clump of willows. 



On the 6th we set out at an early hour, pursuing 

 our route over a range of hills, at the foot of one of 

 which we saw several large pines, and a great quan- 

 tity of willows ; a sight that encouraged us to quicken 

 our pace, as we were now certain we could not be far 

 from the woods. Indeed we were making considerable 

 progress, when Belanger unfortunately broke through 

 the ice, and sunk up to the hips. The weather being 

 cold, he was in danger of freezing, but some brushwood 

 on the borders of the lake enabled us to make a fire 

 to dry him. At the same time we took the oppor- 

 tunity of refreshing ourselves with a kettje of swamp 

 tea. 



My increasing debility had for some time obliged 

 to use a siiek for the purpose of extending my 



arms ; the pain in my shoulders being so acute, thai I 



could not bear them to remain in the usual position 

 for two minutes together. We halted at five among 

 tnal] brushwood, and made a sorry meal of an 

 (,1,1 pair of leather trowsers, and some Bwamp tea. 



