Contrary To Our Expectations The
Lake Was Frozen Sufficiently To Bear Us, So That We Were Excused From
Making The Tours Of The Different Bays.
This circumstance seemed to
impart fresh vigour to us and we walked as fast as the extreme smoothness
of the ice would permit, intending to reach the Slave Rock that night,
but an unforeseen and almost fatal accident prevented the prosecution of
our plan:
Belanger (who seemed the victim of misfortune) again broke
through the ice in a deep part near the head of the rapid, but was timely
saved by our fastening our worsted belts together and pulling him out. By
urging him forwards as quick as his icy garments would admit to prevent
his freezing, we reached a few pines and kindled a fire, but it was late
before he even felt warm, though he was so near the flame as to burn his
hair twice, and to add to our distress (since we could not pursue them)
three wolves crossed the lake close to us.
The night of the 7th was extremely stormy and about ten the following
morning, on attempting to go on, we found it totally impossible, being
too feeble to oppose the wind and drift which frequently blew us over
and, on attempting to cross a small lake that lay in our way, drove us
faster backwards than with every effort we could get forwards; we
therefore encamped under the shelter of a small clump of pines, secure
from the south-west storm that was raging around us. In the evening,
there being no tripe de roche we were compelled to satisfy, or rather
allay, the cravings of hunger by eating a gun cover and a pair of old
shoes; at this time I had scarcely strength to get on my legs.
The wind did not in the least abate during the night but in the morning
of the 9th it changed to north-east and became moderate. We took
advantage of this circumstance and, rising with great difficulty, set
out, though had it not been for the hope of reaching the house I am
certain, from the excessive faintness which almost overpowered me, that I
must have remained where I was. We passed the Slave Rock and, making
frequent halts, arrived within a short distance of Fort Enterprise, but
as we perceived neither any marks of Indians nor even of animals, the men
began absolutely to despair, on a nearer approach however the tracks of
large herds of deer which had only passed a few hours tended a little to
revive their spirits, and shortly after we crossed the ruinous threshold
of the long-sought spot, but what was our surprise, what our sensations,
at beholding everything in the most desolate and neglected state; the
doors and windows of that room in which we expected to find provision had
been thrown down and the wild animals of the woods had resorted there as
to a place of shelter and retreat.
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