446 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



mandre and I assisting him in bringing in the wood, but our united 

 strength could only collect sufficient to replenish the fire four times 

 in the course of the day. As the insides of our mouths had become 

 sore from eating the bone-soup, we relinquished the use of it, and 

 now boiled our skin, which mode of dressing we found more palatable 

 than frying it, as we had hitherto done. 



On the 29th, Peltier felt his pains more severe, and could only cut 

 a few pieces of wood. Samandre, who was still almost as weak, 

 relieved him a little time, and I assisted them in carrying in the 

 wood. We endeavoured to pick some tripe de roche, but in vain, as 

 it was entirely frozen. In turning up the snow, in searching for 

 bones, I found several pieces of bark, which proved a valuable acqui- 

 sition, as we were almost destitute of dry wood proper for kindling 

 the fire. We saw a herd of rein-deer sporting on the river, about 

 half a mile from the house ; they remained there a considerable time, 

 but none of the party felt themselves sufficiently strong to go after 

 them, nor was there one of us who could have fired a gun without 

 resting it. 



Whilst we were seated round the fire this evening, discoursing 

 about the anticipated relief, the conversation was suddenly inter- 

 rupted by Peltier's exclaiming with joy, " Ah I le monde /" imagining 

 that he heard the Indians in the other room ; immediately afterwards, 

 to his bitter disappointment, Dr. Eichardson and Hepburn entered, 

 each carrying his bundle. Peltier, however, soon recovered himself 

 enough to express his joy at their safe arrival, and his regret that 

 their companions were not with them. When I saw them alone my 

 own mind was instantly filled with apprehensions respecting my 

 friend Hood, and our other companions, which were immediately 

 confirmed by the Doctor's melancholy communication, that Mr. Hood 

 and Michel were dead. Perrault and Fontano had neither reached 

 the tent, nor been heard of by them. This intelligence produced 

 a melancholy despondency in the minds of my party, and on that 



