That no time might be lost in procuring relief I immediately despatched Mr. Back with St. Germain, Solomon Belanger, and Beauparlant to search for the Indians, directing him to go to Fort Enterprise where we expected they would be or where at least a note from Mr. Wentzel would be found to direct us in our search for them.  If St. Germain should kill any animals on his way a portion of the meat was to be put up securely for us and conspicuous marks placed over it.

It is impossible to imagine a more gratifying change than was produced in our voyagers after we were all safely landed on the southern banks of the river.  Their spirits immediately revived, each of them shook the officers cordially by the hand and declared they now considered the worst of their difficulties over as they did not doubt of reaching Fort Enterprise in a few days, even in their feeble condition.  We had indeed every reason to be grateful and our joy would have been complete had it not been mingled with sincere regret at the separation of our poor Esquimaux, the faithful Junius.

EXTREME MISERY OF THE WHOLE PARTY.

The want of tripe de roche caused us to go supperless to bed.  Showers of snow fell frequently during the night.  The breeze was light next morning, the weather cold and clear.  We were all on foot by daybreak but, from the frozen state of our tents and bedclothes, it was long before the bundles could be made and as usual the men lingered over a small fire they had kindled so that it was eight o’clock before we started.  Our advance from the depth of the snow was slow, and about noon, coming to a spot where there was some tripe de roche, we stopped to collect it and breakfasted.  Mr. Hood, who was now very feeble, and Dr. Richardson, who attached himself to him, walked together at a gentle pace in the rear of the party.  I kept with the foremost men to cause them to halt occasionally until the stragglers came up.  Resuming our march after breakfast we followed the track of Mr. Back’s party and encamped early as all of us were much fatigued, particularly Credit who, having today carried the men’s tent, it being his turn so to do, was so exhausted that when he reached the encampment he was unable to stand.  The tripe de roche disagreed with this man and with Vaillant in consequence of which they were the first whose strength totally failed.  We had a small quantity of this weed in the evening and the rest of our supper was made up of scraps of roasted leather.  The distance walked today was six miles.  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