The party was now reduced to five persons, Adam, Peltier, Benoit, Samandre and myself.  Continuing the journey we came after an hour’s walk to some willows and encamped under the shelter of a rock, having walked in the whole four miles and a half.  We made an attempt to gather some tripe de roche but could not, owing to the severity of the weather.  Our supper therefore consisted of tea and a few morsels of leather.

Augustus did not make his appearance but we felt no alarm at his absence, supposing he would go to the tent if he missed our track.  Having fire we procured a little sleep.  Next morning the breeze was light and the weather mild which enabled us to collect some tripe de roche and to enjoy the only meal we had had for four days.  We derived great benefit from it and walked with considerably more ease than yesterday.  Without the strength it supplied we should certainly have been unable to oppose the strong breeze we met in the afternoon.  After walking about five miles we came upon the borders of Marten Lake and were rejoiced to find it frozen so that we could continue our course straight for Fort Enterprise.  We encamped at the first rapid in Winter River amidst willows and alders, but these were so frozen and the snow fell so thick that the men had great difficulty in making a fire.  This proving insufficient to warm us or even thaw our shoes, and having no food to prepare, we crept under our blankets.  The arrival in a well-known part raised the spirits of the men to a high pitch, and we kept up a cheerful conversation until sleep overpowered us.  The night was very stormy and the morning scarcely less so but, being desirous to reach the house this day, we commenced our journey very early.  We were gratified by the sight of a large herd of reindeer on the side of the hill near the track, but our only hunter Adam was too feeble to pursue them.  Our shoes and garments were stiffened by the frost and we walked in great pain until we arrived at some stunted pines, at which we halted, made a good fire, and procured the refreshment of tea.  The weather becoming fine in the afternoon we continued our journey, passed the Dog-Rib Rock, and encamped among a clump of pines of considerable growth about a mile farther on.  Here we enjoyed the comfort of a large fire for the first time since our departure from the sea-coast, but this gratification was purchased at the expense of many severe falls in crossing a stony valley to get to these trees.  There was no tripe de roche and we drank tea and ate some of our shoes for supper.  Next morning after taking the usual repast of tea we proceeded to the house.  Musing on what we were likely to find there our minds were agitated between hope and fear and, contrary to the custom we had kept up of supporting our spirits by conversation, we went silently forward.

DESOLATE STATE OF FORT ENTERPRISE.