198 Thirty Years 
CHAPTER IX. 
juve. We intended to have embarked early this morn- 
ing, and to have launched upon an element, which 
was more congenial with our habits than the fresh- 
water navigations, and their numerous difficulties and 
impediments we had hitherto encountered, but which 
was altogether new to our Canadian voyagers. We 
were detained, however, by a strong north-east gale, 
which continued the whole day, with constant thunder 
showers ; the more provoking as our nets procured 
but few fish, and we had to draw upon our store of 
dried meat ; which, with other provision for the jour- 
‘ney, amounted only to fifteen days’ consumption. 
Indeed, we should have preferred going dinnerless to 
bed rather than encroach on our small stock, had we 
-not been desirous of satisfying the appetites, and 
cheering the spirits of our Canadian companions at 
the commencement of our voyage. These thoughtless 
people would, at any time, incur the hazard of abso- 
lute starvation, at a future period, for the present 
gratification of their appetites ; to indulge which they 
