58 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



followed the track of Mr. Back's party, and 

 encamped early, as all of us were much 

 fatigued, particularly Credit, who having 

 to-day carried the men's tent, it being his 

 turn so to do, was so exhausted, that when 

 he reached the encampment he was unable 

 to stand. The tripe de roche disagreed with 

 this man and with Vaillant, in consequence 

 of which, they were the first whose strength 

 totally failed. We had a small quantity of 

 this weed in the evening, and the rest of 

 our supper was made up of scraps of roasted 

 leather. The distance walked to-day was 

 six miles. As Credit was very weak in the 

 morning, his load was reduced to little more 

 than his personal luggage, consisting of his 

 blanket, shoes, and gun. Previous to set- 

 ting out, the whole party ate the remains of 

 their old shoes, and whatever scraps of 

 leather they had, to strengthen their sto- 

 machs for the fatigue of the day's journey. 

 We left the encampment at nine, and pur- 

 sued our route over a range of black hills. 

 The wind having increased to a strong gale 

 in the course of the morning became 



