They were compelled to remain some days at this camp, and as the beaver-trap failed to supply them with food, it became absolutely necessary to take the chances of discovery by the Indians, in order to live, and Ben Jones was permitted to make a tour with his rifle some distance from the camp, defying both bears and Blackfeet.  He had not been absent more than two hours when he came upon a herd of elk and killed five of them.  When he reported his good news, the party immediately moved their camp to the carcasses, about six miles distant.

After marching a few days more, hunger again returned, the keenest of their sufferings.  The small amount of bear and elk meat which they had been able to carry in addition to their other equipage lasted but a short time, and in their anxiety to get ahead they had little time to hunt.  As scarcely any game crossed their trail, they lived for three days upon nothing but a small duck and a few miserable fish.  They saw numbers of antelope, but they were very wild and they succeeded in killing only one.  It was poor in flesh and very small, but they lived on it for several days.

After a while they came across the trail of the obstinate M’Lellan, who was still ahead of them, and had encamped the night before on the very stream where they now were.  They saw the embers of the fire by which he had slept, and remains of a wolf of which he had eaten.  He had evidently fared better than themselves at this encampment, for they had not a mouthful to eat.  The next day, about noon, they arrived at the prairies where the headwaters of the stream appeared to form, and where they expected to find buffalo in abundance.  Not even a superannuated bull was to be seen; the whole region was deserted.  They kept on for several miles farther, following the bank of the stream and eagerly looking for beaver sign.  Upon finding some they camped, and Ben Jones set his trap.  They were hardly settled in camp when they perceived a large column of smoke rising in the clear air some distance to the southwest.  They regarded it joyously, for they hoped it might be an Indian camp where they could get something to eat, as their pangs of hunger had now overcome their dread of the terrible Blackfeet.

Le Clerc, one of the Canadians, was instantly despatched by Mr. Stuart to reconnoitre; and the travellers sat up till a late hour, watching and listening for his return, hoping he might bring them food.  Midnight arrived, but Le Clerc did not make his appearance, and they lay down once more supperless to sleep, hoping that their old beaver-trap might furnish them with a breakfast.