LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 127 
the fore-finger extending and turned toward our hut. I like- 
wise took away the elk's skin, in order that the savages at 
their return might perceive that somebody had passed by the 
place since they left it, and might by the aid of the sign 
discover the route they had taken. The approach of the 
night obliged us to return to our habitation, and we doubled 
our pace to communicate that agreeable news to our com- 
panions. However feeble were the hopes we could reason- 
ably allow ourselves to entertain from this discovery, I per- 
ceived that my narrative afforded them considerable consola- 
tion ; so strongly does the kind instinct of nature impel the 
unhappy to seize upon whatever is capable of alleviating the 
sensation of their misery. 
Several days elapsed in hope of seeing the Indians appear 
every moment before our hut. These sweet ideas gradually 
lost ground, and soon vanished. Some of our sick, and among 
the rest the captain, had in this interval begun to recover 
their strength, and our provisions were fast decreasing. I 
mentioned the design I had formed of quitting the habitation 
with all those who were capable of working the boat, to re- 
connoitre the coast. This plan received universal approba- 
tion ; but when we came to think of the means of executing 
it, a new difficulty presented itself This was how to repair 
the boat, which had been dashed by the sea upon the sand 
with such fury that all her joints had opened. We had plen 
ty of tow for stopping the apertures, but unfortunately were 
in want of pitch to cover it. And how could we supply this 
deficiency? We could not think of any method, when it 
struck me all at once that we might employ the balsam of 
Canada which we had saved. It was easy to try ; I emptied 
few bottles of it into our iron pot and set it on a large fire ; 
taking ijt ofi' frequently to let it cool, I soon reduced the liquor 
to a proper consistence. During this time my companions 
had turned the boat and cleared her of sand and ice. I di- 
rected the crevices to be stopped with tow, caulked her with 
the balsam, and I had the pleasure of seeing that it produced 
the effect to admiration. 
This first success inspired us with a new ardor to continue 
our preparations. A piece of cloth fastened to a pole in such 
a manner as to be raised or lowered at pleasure, promised us 
a sail strong enough to relieve, with a gentle and favorable 
wind, the labor of the rowers. Among the crew few had suf- 
ficiently recovered to support the fatigues which we foresaw 
would attend this expedition. I was chosen to conduct ii, to- 
