174* JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



duct was the more unpardonable, as they 

 saw we were rapidly approaching the fires 

 of the hunters, and that provision might 

 soon be expected. I, therefore, felt the 

 duty incumbent on me to address them in 

 the strongest manner on the danger of in- 

 subordination, and to assure them of my 

 determination to inflict the heaviest punish- 

 ment on any that should persist in their re- 

 fusal to go on, or in any other way attempt 

 to retard the Expedition. * I considered this 

 decisive step necessary, having learned from 

 the gentlemen most intimately acquainted 

 with the character of the Canadian voyagers, 

 that they invariably try how far they can 

 impose upon every new master, and that 

 they will continue to be disobedient and in- 

 tractable if they once gain any ascendency 

 over him. I must admit, however, that the 

 present hardships of our companions were 

 of a kind which few could support without 

 murmuring, and no one could witness with- 

 out a sincere pity for their sufferings. 



After this discussion we went forward 

 until sunset. In the course of the day we 



