and the descent of mountains,—and the time consumed in it, from early morning until evening. The fear that the lakes and rivers would thaw caused us to hasten our steps until we were extremely fatigued. From time to time, to cheer us amid the hardships of the road, we sang Hymns as we walked; our only consolation was to direct our thoughts toward God.
"On the tenth day, we walked past various mountains; we had to climb up and down until we reached a great lake, whose shores consist of perpendicular rocks, higher than any cliff in France.
"On the eleventh day, we started three hours before daylight to walk over the ice, which a cold wind had hardened; we were favored with the light of the Moon. When day came, we resumed our way through the woods and by mountains, intersected by lakes and very rapid rivers.
"On the twelfth day after the Office of Good Friday, and after having confessed several Savages,—who wished to separate from us, in order to take another road, and make some canoes,—we reached the summit of the mountains, and a small river, on
