128 =a Thirty Years 
heaviest punishment on any that should persist in 
their refusal to go on, or in any other way attempt to 
retard the Expedition. I considered this decisive 
step necessary, having learned from the gentlemen 
most intimately acquainted with the character of the 
Canadian voyagers, that they invariably try how far 
they can impose upon every new master with whom 
they may serve, and that they will continue to be 
disobedient and intractable if they once gain any- 
ascendency over him. I must admit, however, that 
the present hardships of our companions were of a kind 
which few could support without murmuring, and no 
one could witness without feeling a sincere pity for 
their sufferings. 
After this discussion we went forward until sunset. 
In the course of the day we crossed seven lakes and 
as many portages. Just as we had encamped, we 
were delighted to see four of the hunters arrive, with 
the flesh of two reindeer. This seasonable supply, 
though only sufficient for this evening’s and the next 
day’s consumption, instantly revived the spirits of our 
companions, and they immediately forgot all their 
cares. As we did not, after this period, experience 
any deficiency of food during this journey, they worked 
extremely well, and never again reflected upon us as 
they had done before, for rashly bringing them into an 
inhospitable country, where the means of subsistence 
