OF THE POLAR SEA. 



161 



tains which impeded the direct way ; but as 

 we were aware of our inability to do so, I 

 listened to St. Germain's proposal, which 

 was, to follow the deer into the woods, (so 

 long as they did not lead us out of our 

 route to the Indians,) and if possible to 

 collect sufficient food to carry us to Fort 

 Providence. We now set about making 

 mittens and snow-shoes, whilst Belanger 

 searched under the snow, and collected a 

 mass of old bones, which when burned and 

 used with a little salt we found palatable 

 enough, and made a tolerable meal. At 

 night St. Germain returned, having seen 

 plenty of tracks but no animals; the day 

 was cloudy, with fresh breezes, and the 

 river was frozen at the borders. 



On the 11th we prepared for our journey, 

 having first collected a few old skins of 

 deer, to serve us as food; and written a 

 note to be left for our commander, to ap- 

 prise him of our intentions. We pursued 

 the course of the river to the lower lake, 

 when St. Germain fell in, which obliged us 

 to encamp directly to prevent his being 



VOL. IV. m 



