382 Thirty Years 



ed the tracks, and said that three persons had passed 

 the day before ; and that he knew the remainder must 

 be advancing to the southward, as it was customary 

 with Indians, when they sent to the trading establish- 

 ment on the first ice. On this information we en- 

 camped, and, being too weak to walk myself, I sent 

 St. Germain to follow the tracks, with instructions to 

 the Chief of the Indians to provide immediate assist- 

 ance for such of our friends who might be at Fort En- 

 terprize, as well as for ourselves, and to lose no time 

 in returning to me. I was now so exhausted, that 

 had we not seen the tracks this day, I had determined 

 on remaining at the next encampment, until the men 

 could have sent aid from Fort Providence. We had 

 finished our small portion of sinews, and were prepar- 

 ing for rest, when an Indian boy made his appearance 

 with meat. St. Germain had arrived before sun 

 the tents of Akaitcho, whom he found at the spot 

 where lie had wintered last year ; but imagine mysur- 

 . when he gave me a note from the Commander, 

 and said, that Benoit and Augustus, two of the nun, 

 had just joined thorn. The note was BO confused, by 

 the penciJ marks being partlyrubbed out, thai I could 

 not decipher it (dearly ; but it informed me, thai he 

 had attempted to come with the two men. but finding 

 his strength inadequate to the task, he relinquished 

 ,. and returned to Fort Enterprize, to await. 



