432 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



saries were left in the track, at the request of the Canadians, with- 

 out any hope, however, of his being able to reach them. After 

 marching until dusk without seeing a favourable place for encamp- 

 ing, night compelled us to take shelter under the lee of a hill, 

 amongst some willows, with which, after many attempts, we at 

 length made a fire. It was not sufficient, however, to warm the whole 

 party, much less to thaw our shoes ; and the weather not permitting 

 the gathering of tripe de roche, we had nothing to cook. The painful 

 retrospection of the melancholy events of the day banished sleep, 

 and we shuddered as we contemplated the dreadful effects of this 

 bitterly cold night on our two companions, if still living. Some 

 faint hopes were entertained of Credit's surviving the storm, as he 

 was provided with a good blanket, and had leather to eat. 



The weather was mild next morning. We left the encampment 

 at nine, and a little before noon came to a pretty extensive thicket 

 of small willows, near which there appeared a supply of tripe de 

 roche on the face of the rocks. At this place Dr. Eichardson and 

 Mr. Hood determined to remain, with John Hepburn, who volun- 

 teered to stop with them. The tent was securely pitched, a few 

 willows collected, and the ammunition and all other articles were 

 deposited, except each man's clothing, one tent, a sufficiency of 

 ammunition for the journey, and the officer's journals. I had 

 only one blanket, which was carried for me, and two pair of 

 shoes. The offer was now made for any of the men, who felt 

 themselves too weak to proceed, to remain with the officers, but none 

 of them accepted it. Michel alone felt some inclination to do so. 

 After we had united in thanksgiving and prayers to Almighty God, 

 I separated from my companions, deeply afflicted that a train of 

 melancholy circumstances should have demanded of me the severe 

 trial of parting from friends in such a condition, who had become 

 endeared to me by their constant kindness, and co-operation, and a 

 participation of numerous sufferings. This trial I could not have 



