As Credit
was very weak in the morning his load was reduced to little more than his
personal luggage, consisting of his blanket, shoes and gun.
Previous to
setting out the whole party ate the remains of their old shoes and
whatever scraps of leather they had to strengthen their stomachs for the
fatigue of the day's journey. We left the encampment at nine and pursued
our route over a range of black hills. The wind, having increased to a
strong gale in the course of the morning, became piercingly cold and the
drift rendered it difficult for those in the rear to follow the track
over the heights, whilst in the valleys where it was sufficiently marked
from the depth of the snow the labour of walking was proportionably
great. Those in advance made as usual frequent halts, yet being unable
from the severity of the weather to remain long still they were obliged
to move on before the rear could come up and the party of course
straggled very much.
About noon, Samandre coming up, informed us that Credit and Vaillant
could advance no farther. Some willows being discovered in a valley near
us I proposed to halt the party there whilst Dr. Richardson went back to
visit them. I hoped too that when the sufferers received the information
of a fire being kindled at so short a distance they would be cheered, and
use their utmost efforts to reach it, but this proved a vain hope.
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