ARRIVAL AT THE COAST 81 



would have tramped on with his wet feet and in a short time would 

 have had them frozen. As Mr. Horetzky looked at the thermo- 

 meter, when we stopped, he found it to be twenty-six below zero, 

 Fahr. The same evening we reached Fort St. James and this 

 part of our journey was over. 



The next morning, Mr. Gaven Hamilton, who had charge of 

 the post, came to me and apologized for the bad quarters I had 

 had the night before and told me that Mr. Horetzky was arrang- 

 ing for my departure for Quesnel, and was putting up supplies. 

 He said he had heard from Sinclair that I was on an equal footing 

 with Horetzky on the expedition and he wished to know if this 

 were so. I told him it was correct and showed him my credentials. 

 He was greatly surprised; "Why," he said, "he is ordering all 

 manner of luxuries for himself but, for you, he has just ordered 

 what we usually give to our men." I told him that I did not care 

 what I got as long as I got away from Horetzky with my life. 

 He then assured me that in giving me the provisions for my trip 

 my food would be as good as that of the head of the post. 



Next day, I left for Quesnel, one hundred and forty-four 

 miles distant. My companions were a half-breed called Murdoch, 

 a splendid man, and with him a young Indian. These two were 

 to be my companions down to the Fraser and with us we took 

 provisions for ten days. This was carried on the backs of the 

 two Indians and I had nothing to carry but my overcoat. The 

 following is a quotation of Mr. Horetzky. 



"Here, Mr. Macoun, my fellow-traveller, immediately pre- 

 pared to leave for Victoria and, having procured for him a couple 

 of Indian guides to carry his baggage and provisions, we said 

 good-bye and he took his departure for Quesnel on the 17th." 



On the morning of the 17th, we started for Stuart river, 

 but, before leaving, Mr. Hamilton took me aside and asked me if 

 I had any matches. I told him I had none, so he supplied me 

 with some and gave me besides a light skin coat so I could travel 

 in it. Each one of us, when we started, carried a pair of snow- 

 shoes, mine were nearly seven feet long, and, as I had never worn 

 a snow-shoe in my life before, I felt very awkward, even in carry- 

 ing them. 



