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.  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.  A compliance with their desire would have caused the loss of the whole party, for the men were totally ignorant of the course to be pursued, and none of the officers who could have directed the march were sufficiently strong to keep up at the pace they would then walk, besides, even supposing them to have found their way, the strongest men would certainly have deserted the weak.  Something however was absolutely necessary to be done to relieve them as much as possible from their burdens, and the officers consulted on the subject.  Mr. Hood and Dr. Richardson proposed to remain behind with a single attendant at the first place where sufficient