The
Doctor Found Vaillant About A Mile And A Half In The Rear, Much Exhausted
With Cold And Fatigue.
Having encouraged him to advance to the fire,
after repeated solicitations he made the attempt, but fell down amongst
the deep snow at every step.
Leaving him in this situation the Doctor
went about half a mile farther back to the spot where Credit was said to
have halted and, the track being nearly obliterated by the snowdrift, it
became unsafe for him to go farther. Returning he passed Vaillant who,
having moved only a few yards in his absence, had fallen down, was unable
to rise, and could scarcely answer his questions. Being unable to afford
him any effectual assistance he hastened on to inform us of his
situation. When J.B. Belanger had heard the melancholy account he went
immediately to aid Vaillant and bring up his burden. Respecting Credit we
were informed by Samandre that he had stopped a short distance behind
Vaillant, but that his intention was to return to the encampment of the
preceding evening.
When Belanger came back with Vaillant's load he informed us that he had
found him lying on his back, benumbed with cold and incapable of being
roused. The stoutest men of the party were now earnestly entreated to
bring him to the fire, but they declared themselves unequal to the task,
and on the contrary urged me to allow them to throw down their loads and
proceed to Fort Enterprise with the utmost speed.
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