And the reason why I did not try and persuade him more than I did for us not to leave the Big River was, we thought perhaps there would be lots of places where we could not run our canoe in some wild rapids, and would have to carry our canoe.  I knew the last two days how we were when trying to carry our canoe, and we also thought that if we were travelling through the bush we would surely come across some partridges and help us to the flour, and the flour would help us to the lard, about three pounds, and some milk and coffee 3 miles from Grand Lake.  Also as we only know the river above there, of course, we did not know where the river ran to.  The boys thought it ran out to Goose Bay, as Low’s map showed only the one river running into Grand Lake.  Also at Rigolette, trying to find out all we could, and at Northwest River too, nobody ever said about any river but the Nascaupee.  Still I said it might run out into Grand Lake.

So the canoe, one axe, the sextant box, and the rest of the caribou horns we left; but the bones we carried with us in our pail, which we boiled over and over to make broth.  The bones, since we had them, we would scorch in the fire at night, and chew away at them.  Was pretty hard chewing.

I told the boys when we decided to leave the canoe, that we had better leave everything we have, so we would make better time; but we didn’t want to waste any time after our nice duck, but go right on while we have yet some strength from it.  So we didn’t wait to overhaul our stuff.  We traveled 2 miles from the Big River that afternoon.  We found our packs too heavy to carry, and decided to lighten up in the morning.

That evening Mr. Hubbard said, “Mrs. Hubbard this evening will be now at dinner, and after her meal will finish with lot more on the table.  Oh, if she could only hand me a piece of bread!”

Thursday morning, October 15th.—­We threw away lots of dunnage, also some films and one rifle.  Mr. Hubbard was very sorry to leave his flask.  He had often spoken of it being a present from Mrs. Hubbard.

I shot three partridges after noon with the pistol.  We were so glad.  Mr. Hubbard was more than glad.  He came and shook hands with me.

We were trying to reach our old camping place on our way up, Goose Camp we called it, but we were all feeling so very weak especially Mr. Hubbard.  At last he could not go any farther.  I told him it was about 40 yards to where our old camp was.  So we made him leave his load and he followed us.  I, with the greatest hurry, started a fire and made him a cup of tea.  We as usual sat up near our fire for some time, trying to encourage each other about what good things we would have, after we got to New York.

Friday, October 16th.—­For breakfast we ate one partridge leaving the other for lunch.  Threw more things away, one blanket and more films, and at noon more things left behind.  I had a good suit of underwear with me, saving it till cold weather, but that day at noon I left everything belonging to me.  I was too weak to take off the bad and put on the good.  Also left some films and—­came to the Nascaupee.