176 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



follow the tracks of our Commander's party; 

 but we lost them, and concluded that they 

 were not before us. Though the weather 

 was not cold, I was frozen in the face, and 

 was so reduced and affected by these con- 

 stant calamities, as well in mind as in body, 

 that I found much difficulty in proceeding 

 even with the advantages I had enjoyed. 



November 3. — We set out before day, 

 though, in fact, we were all much fitter to 

 remain, from the excessive pain which we 

 suffered in our joints, and proceeded till 

 one P.M., without halting, when Belanger, 

 who was before, stopped, and cried out, 

 " Footsteps of Indians." It is needless to 

 mention the joy that brightened the counte- 

 nances of each at this unlooked-for sight ; 

 w r e knew relief must be at hand, and consi- 

 dered our sufferings at an end. St. Ger- 

 main inspected the tracks, and said that 

 three persons had passed the day before ; 

 and that he knew the remainder must be 

 advancing to the southward, as was cus- 

 tomary with these Indians, when they sent 

 to the trading establishment on the first ice. 



