ACEOSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA 



enough bear meat for another day or two, and the game had 

 all left the country. What was to be done ? My brother and 

 I talked the matter over during the night. The plan sug- 

 gested itself of abandoning everything but rifles and blankets, 

 and starting dovsru the shore on foot. But then, how could 

 the numerous large rivers, which were still open, be crossed ? 

 Again, to this plan there was the objection that having been 

 in canoes all summer, our party, though still strong enough 

 to paddle, was in very poor condition to walk. The only 

 other feasible plan was then suggested. It was to abandon 

 dunnage, instruments, rock collection, etc., everything except 

 note-books, photographs, plant collection, rifles, blankets, and 

 two small tents, and with these to start out in only two light 

 canoes, and with the increased force in them to travel for 

 our lives. 



This plan was decided on, and in the morning the men 

 were set to work to cache aU our stuff excepting the articles 

 above mentioned. This occupied the whole morning, and to 

 us it was a sad and lonely task; but as it seemed to be the 

 only way by which we might hope to escape from this dreary 

 ice-bound coast, it was felt to be a necessary one. As secure 

 a cache as we could build was made, and then with heavy 

 hearts we turned our steps toward the shore. 



After launching the two canoes it was with great danger 

 and difficulty we were able to force a way through the broken 

 but heavy shore-ice to the open water beyond. Having once 

 gotten clear, we were able to make good progress, and even 

 at great risk of being smashed upon some of the many rocks, 

 we paddled far into the night; but at a late hour, being 

 sheathed in ice from the freezing spray, we landed, and, 

 without supper, lay down to sleep upon the snow. 



Eight more dreary days passed, six of which were spent in 

 battling with the elements and two in lying storm-bound in 

 our tents. During this interval our party suffered much 

 from cold and lack of food, and to make matters worse, dysen- 



186 



