210 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



from whence they had derived their food 

 failed them. All the animals but the wolf 

 and the fox had migrated to the southward ; 

 the stock of dried meat was expended ; the 

 fish caught did not allow more than three 

 or four small herrings to each man, and 

 being out of season, not only afforded very 

 little nourishment, but caused frequent and 

 general indisposition. Under such circum- 

 stances they were obliged to have recourse 

 to their provision of pemmican and portable 

 soup, which had been set apart for the 

 voyage along the sea -coast. Towards 

 March, however, their situation began to 

 improve. 



" From this period we had a sufficient 

 supply of provision, because the fisheries 

 improved, and we received deer from time 

 to time. The men who had been indis- 

 posed gained strength, from the increased 

 quantity, and amended quality, of the food ; 

 and we had also the gratification of seeing 

 the dogs daily fatten, amidst the general 

 plenty. The conduct of the men during the 

 season of scarcity was beyond all praise ; 



