318 Thirty Years 
to rise, and we had frequently to lift each other from 
our seats ; but even in this pitiable condition we con- 
versed cheerfully, being sanguine as to the speedy ar- 
rival of'the Indians. We calculated indeed that if 
they should be near the situation where they had re- 
mained last winter, our men would have reached them 
by this day. Having expended all the wood which we 
could procure from our present dwelling, without en- 
dangering its falling, Peltier began this day to pull 
down the partitions of the adjoining houses. Though 
these were only distant about twenty yards, yet the 
increase of labor in carrying the wood fatigued him so 
much, that by the evening he was exhausted. On the 
next day his weakness was such, especially in the arms, 
of which he chiefly complained, that he with difficulty 
lifted the hatchet ; still he persevered, Samandré and 
I assisting him in bringing in the wood, but our uni- 
ted strength could only collect sufficient to replenish 
the fire four times in the course of the day. As the 
insides of our mouths had become sore from eating the 
bone soup, we relinquished the use of it, and now boiled 
our skin, which mode of dressing we found more 
palatable than frying it, as we had hitherto done. 
On the 29th, Peltier felt his pains more severe, and 
could only cut a few pieces of wood. ,Samandrd, who 
was still almost as weak, relieved him a little time, 
and I assisted them in carrying in the wood. We 
