FROM FORT SMITH TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 139 



down the Great Slave River, but portages reduce the pos- 

 sible route to 165 to 170 miles, which, as my ankle had 

 nearly mended, and my half-breed guides and dogs were 

 good travellers, I expected to do in four days. But the 

 contingencies of snow-shoe travel are many. We had 

 hardly got under way before such cramps seized the 

 calves of my legs that I could scarcely move. I sup- 

 posed it merely muscular stiffness caused by my two 

 days' inaction at Smith after the hard day's run which 

 terminated the bison-hunt, and that it would wear off, so 

 I set grimly to work to catch the dog-train, which was 

 going along at a lively rate and disappearing down the 

 river. 



No effort of mine, however, could quicken my gait be- 

 yond a shuffling, painful hobble, and I did not overtake 

 the outfit until a stop was made for dinner fifteen miles 

 farther on. I thought a rest and a little rubbing would 

 relieve me, but when we started on again the cramps 

 spread to both thighs, and I simply could not move. But 

 for the pain I might have thought my legs paralyzed. I 

 signalled Mercrede, my guide, and when I had dragged 

 myself up to the dogs, climbed on to the sledge, and told 

 him to go ahead, thinking the spasm would pass off, and 

 meanwhile we should not lose time by stopping. There 

 was short respite in this direction, however, for the dogs 

 could not haul me in the heavy going without " forcing," 

 and as they must be saved at all hazards, I determined on 

 another effort at walking, and failing, to camp and doctor 

 my muscles. This I made Mercrede understand after 

 much difficulty, and then he went on and I tried to fol- 

 low. I was in no better condition for travelling than be- 

 fore ; a few steps and then a tumble, followed by a spell 

 of crawling ; another attempt at walking, and another tum- 

 ble, until finally I directed my entire energy to crawling 



