What is pie? What do they use it
for? Do they eat it?"
This I did often to encourage them and myself, that we might forget
the danger ahead; but it was something impossible to forget, as the
hunger and weakness pained us, and I thought we would not be able
to go many more days if we don't succeed in killing anything.
That evening we hadn't the strength of chopping our wood. Just
gathered the small, dry pieces we found near our camp. We also put
up our camp in an easy way we thought. Three little poles were
required to keep up our tent. They were quite handy; but it took
me some time before I could cut them down.
That day at noon, when I left my dunnage bag with lots of films in,
and hung the bag on a short stump, Mr. Hubbard told me, "If we get
out safe to Northwest River, I think you or I might stay there this
winter, and try and get out some of the things we are leaving,
especially the films. If we could get out in time of the last trip
of the _Virginia Lake_, Wallace and you could go home. Or if you
would stay, Wallace and I could go home."
I told him I would be very much in a hurry to go home, and wouldn't
wish to stay out here for the winter. "But if you wish, and rather
have me stay, I will stay for the winter and try and get the things
out for you."
He was so glad about it and said, "It will be better, of course, if
you would stay, as you could make a better guess for the things
than I would."
Saturday, October 17th. - We followed the river, and without
anything to eat all day. Only tea we had. Sometimes we would be
completely done out. Then we would make some tea and help us some
and start on again. This we kept on doing all day.
That evening we came to the junction of the river where it branches
off. About half an hour before we came to the branch we had a
fire, as Mr. Hubbard was feeling cold and chilly all day. Just at
the forks we found a few red berries, and to see if I could find
some more I just went about 20 yards from them. When I found none
and returned to see them, Mr. Hubbard was lying down on the damp
rocks and moss. He looked so pitiful and Wallace sitting near him.
I told him not to lie on the damp moss, and asked him if I'd better
make him a cup of tea.
"Yes," he said, "I think if I had a cup of hot tea I'd feel better
and then go on again."
He could hardly speak. I knew he was very weak. I asked him if he
could get to where we camped before going up, where it was nice and
dry, about 20 yards. He said he would try. I took his and my pack
and he followed us. He could just barely walk. We made him a
place near the fire, and gave him a cup of hot tea, and made him a
cup of pea meal.
We put the camp up the best way we could and gathered enough wood
to last all night.
The flour we were coming for was yet 10 miles away, and the advance
in covering so many miles each day, became less and less each day.
So after we had some tea and bone broth, I thought, seeing it was
no use trying to keep it to ourselves any longer, the danger before
us, I would tell them what was in my mind (not about restaurants
this time) before it was too late. Seeing that death was just
near, which anyone else, if in our place, would expect nothing else
but death, they were quite satisfied and each did the same.
Mr. Hubbard talked about Mrs. Hubbard, and his father and mother,
and his brother and sister, but most about Mrs. Hubbard. Wallace
talked of his sisters and I did the same, especially my youngest
brother, as my father and mother died some years ago and he was
left under my care. It was quite a different talk beside the other
nights' talk, as we never let a night pass without being talking
about good restaurants, and what we would do when we got home.
About 10 miles from there the flour was we were looking forward to.
So I told Mr. Hubbard to see what he would think. If he couldn't
really have the strength of going any farther, that Wallace and I
would try and go and find the flour, and if we found it one would
return and bring some of the flour to him, and the other would try
and make his way out to Northwest River, as it is nearly 80 miles
to Northwest River post, and may be I might come across some
trappers and be able to help him.
He at first said it was no use of trying, as he knew how weak we
were and that we would only be scattered abroad.
Should a relief party be sent out to look for us, they will find us
here in our camp; but if you wish to try all right. You are more
than trying to save me. I never came across a man so brave as you
are. Still I may feel better in the morning, and I will not carry
anything. Now I see that you were right when we left the canoe.
You wanted to leave everything and go out light.
If you get to the flour, you must take most of the flour and
Wallace will bring the rest.
