November 7.

Adam had passed a restless night, being disquieted by gloomy apprehensions of approaching death, which we tried in vain to dispel.  He was so low in the morning as to be scarcely able to speak.  I remained in bed by his side to cheer him as much as possible.  The Doctor and Hepburn went to cut wood.  They had hardly begun their labour when they were amazed at hearing the report of a musket.  They could scarcely believe that there was really anyone near until they heard a shout and immediately espied three Indians close to the house.  Adam and I heard the latter noise and I was fearful that a part of the house had fallen upon one of my companions, a disaster which had in fact been thought not unlikely.  My alarm was only momentary, Dr. Richardson came in to communicate the joyful intelligence that relief had arrived.  He and myself immediately addressed thanksgivings to the throne of mercy for this deliverance but poor Adam was in so low a state that he could scarcely comprehend the information.  When the Indians entered he attempted to rise but sank down again.  But for this seasonable interposition of Providence his existence must have terminated in a few hours, and that of the rest probably in not many days.

The Indians had left Akaitcho’s encampment on the 5th November, having been sent by Mr. Back with all possible expedition after he had arrived at their tents.  They brought but a small supply of provision that they might travel quickly.  It consisted of dried deer’s meat, some fat, and a few tongues.  Dr. Richardson, Hepburn and I eagerly devoured the food which they imprudently presented to us in too great abundance, and in consequence we suffered dreadfully from indigestion and had no rest the whole night.  Adam, being unable to feed himself, was more judiciously treated by them and suffered less; his spirits revived hourly.  The circumstance of our eating more food than was proper in our present condition was another striking proof of the debility of our minds.  We were perfectly aware of the danger, and Dr. Richardson repeatedly cautioned us to be moderate, but he was himself unable to practise the caution he so judiciously recommended.

Boudell-kell, the youngest of the Indians, after resting about an hour, returned to Akaitcho with the intelligence of our situation, and he conveyed a note from me to Mr. Back, requesting another supply of meat as soon as possible.  The two others, Crooked-Foot and the Rat, remained to take care of us until we should be able to move forward.

The note received by the Indians from Mr. Back communicated a tale of distress with regard to himself and his party as painful as that which we had suffered, as will be seen hereafter by his own narrative.

November 8.