He told me of two men 7
miles from here. I told him it would be better if we could get the
other two men, as they would make better time and have lighter
loads. So they started off the same night in their boat, and got
the two men, Allan Goudy and Duncan M'Lean.
Wednesday morning, October 28th. - Donald and three more started off
in their boat part of the way. They had their snowshoes also.
Taking lots of grub and some spare sealskin boots and some other
clothes, as I told them how the boys were rigged when I left them.
I wanted to go with them too; but they said they were going to
travel at night too, and thought I would not be able to stand it
out. I made a map for them and told them just where the tent was,
and told them which side of the river to follow, and that the tent
was just at the forks. I told them what I told Wallace before I
left him, not to leave the river and to follow the north shore of
the river all the time. So they said they would find the camp
without any trouble.
When Donald and the men had gone, Mrs. Blake was baking some
biscuits just after breakfast. The hot biscuits looked so good.
At last, I could not help myself, and had to ask her for some. She
put some in a dish and gave me butter, molasses, and tea. So I ate
and ate, and could not stop myself whatever, that at last I had to
just force myself to go away where I could not see those little
biscuits.
But oh! how I did suffer afterwards. I could not eat any thing
more that day. It pained me ever so much in my breast. I would
try and have a rest in bed, but could not, the pain was too much.
Then I would go out and walk about outside; but it was no use
whatever, and come in and sit down. This I kept on all day but I
wouldn't tell Mrs. Blake about it. I had no rest and suffered very
much and was getting worse all the time. I thought of myself: Well
I had nearly died of starvation, and after I did come out to where
I could get some grub to live on, and after all kill myself with
it. What a mean trick.
I did not know what to do with myself at last. Then I thought to
try some hot water and started to vomit. It did me good. I felt
much better after. I knew when I was eating those biscuits, that
it wouldn't be good for me if I ate too much, but I couldn't help
it.
