370 Thirty Years 



selves, and then to go in search of the Indians, and in 

 the event of missing them, to proceed to the first trad- 

 ing establishment, which was distant about one hun- 

 dred and thirty miles, and from thence send succor to 

 my companions. This indeed I should have done im- 

 mediately, as the most certain manner of executing 

 my purpose, had there been any probability of the 

 river and lakes being frozen to the southward, or had 

 we possessed sufficient strength to have clambered over 

 the rocks and mountains which impeded the direct 

 way ; but as we were aware of our inability to do so, 

 I listened to St. Germain's proposal, which was, to 

 follow the deer into the woods, (so long as they did 

 not lead us out of our route to the Indians,) and if 

 possible to collect sufficient food to carry us to Fort 

 Providence. We now set about making mittens and 

 snow-shoes, whilst Belangei searched under the snow, 

 and collected a mass of old bones, which when burned 

 and used with a little salt, we found palatable enough, 

 and made a tolerable meal. At night St. Germain 

 returned, having seen plenty of tracks, but no ani- 

 mals ; the day was cloudy, with fresh breezes, and the 

 river was frozen at the borders. 



On the 11th we prepared for our journey, having 

 Qrsl collected a few old Bkinsofdeer, to Berve us as 

 food, and writ leu a aote to be Left for our commander, 

 to apprize him of our intentions. We pursued the 



