76 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



enjoyed the comfort of a large fire for the 

 first time since our departure from the sea- 

 coast ; but this gratification was purchased 

 at the expense of many severe falls in cross- 

 ing a stony valley, to get to these trees. 

 There was no tripe de roche, and we drank 

 tea and ate some of our shoes for supper. 

 Next morfiing, after taking the usual repast 

 of tea, we proceeded to the house. Musing 

 on what we were likely to find there, our 

 minds were agitated between hope and fear, 

 and, contrary to the custom we had kept 

 up, of supporting our spirits by conversa- 

 tion, we went silently forward. 



At length we reached Fort Enterprise, 

 and to our infinite disappointment and grief 

 found it a perfectly desolate habitation. 

 There was no deposit of provision, no trace 

 of the Indians, no letter from Mr. Wentzel 

 to point out where the Indians might be 

 found. It would be impossible to describe 

 our sensations after entering this miserable 

 abode, and discovering how we had been 

 neglected : the whole party shed tears, not 

 so much for our own fate, as for that of our 



