36 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



he did not reach the tents before midnight, 

 when he brought the information of its be- 

 ing a lake. We supped upon tripe de roche, 

 and enjoyed a comfortable fire, having found 

 some pines, seven or eight feet high, in a 

 valley near the encampment. 



The bounty of Providence was most sea- 

 sonably manifested to us next morning, in 

 our killing five small deer out of a herd, 

 which came in sight as we were on the point 

 of starting. This unexpected supply re- 

 animated 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 

 conviction 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 



