278 Thirty Years 
small deer out of a herd, which came in sight as we 
were on the point of starting. This unexpected sup- 
ply reanimated the drooping spirits of our men, and 
filled every heart with gratitude. 
The voyagers instantly petitioned for*a day’s rest, 
which we were most reluctant to grant, being aware 
of the importance of every moment at this critical 
period of our journey. But. they so earnestly and 
strongly pleaded their recent sufferings, and their con- 
viction, that the quiet enjoyment of two substantial 
meals, after eight days’ famine, would enable them to 
proceed next day more vigorously, that we could not . 
resist their entreaties. The flesh, the skins, and even 
the contents of the stomachs of the deer were equally 
distributed among the party by Mr. Hood, who had 
volunteered, on the departure of Mr. Wentzel, to per- 
form the duty of issuing the provision. This invidious 
task he had all along performed with great impartiali- 
ty, but seldom without producing some grumbling 
amongst the Canadians ; and on the present occasion, 
the hunters were displeased that the heads, and some 
other parts, had not been added to their portions. It 
is proper to remark, that Mr. Hood always took the 
smallest portion for his own mess, but this weighed 
little with these men, as long as their own appetites 
remained unsatisfied. We all suffered much inconve- 
nience from eating animal food after our long absti- 
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