318 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



we carried our tents we had been forced to leave the tent poles 

 which we could not now replace ; we therefore gladly recommenced 

 the journey at five in the morning, and travelled through the re- 

 maining part of the lake on the ice. Its surface being quite smooth, 

 the canoes were dragged along expeditiously by the dogs, and the 

 rest of the party had to walk very quick to keep pace with them, 

 which occasioned them to get many heavy falls. By the time we 

 had reached the end of the lake, the wind had increased to a perfect 

 gale, and the atmosphere was so cold that we could not proceed 

 with the canoes further without the risk of breaking the bark and 

 seriously injuring them, we therefore crossed Winter River in them, 

 and put up on a ridge of sand hills in a well sheltered place. Eut as 

 the stock of provision was scanty, we determined on proceeding 

 as quick as possible, and leaving the canoe party under the charge 

 of Mr. Wentzel. We parted from them in the afternoon and first 

 directed our course towards a range of hills, where we expected to 

 find Antonio Fontano, who had separated from us in the morning. 

 In crossing towards these hills I fell through the ice into the lake, 

 with my bundle on my shoulders, but was soon extricated without 

 receiving any injury ; and Mr. Back, who left us to go in search of the 

 straggler, met with a similar accident in the evening. We put up on 

 a ridge of sand hills, where we found some pines, and made a large 

 fire to apprize Mr. Back and Fontano of our situation. St. German 

 having killed a deer in the afternoon, we received an acceptable 

 supply of meat. The night was stormy and very cold. 



At five next morning our men were sent in different directions 

 after our absent companions, but as the weather was foggy we de- 

 spaired of finding them unless they should chance to hear the 

 muskets our people were desired to fire. They returned, however, 

 at ten, bringing intelligence of them. I went immediately with 

 Hepburn to join Mr. Back, and directed Mr. Hood to proceed with 

 the Canadians, and halt with them at a spot where the hunters had 



