from Mr. Back, stating that he had seen no trace of the Indians, and desiring further instructions as to the course he should pursue. Belanger’s situation, however, required our first care, as he came in almost speechless, and covered with ice, having fallen into a rapid, (on his way from Round-Rock Lake,) and, for the third time since we left the sea-coast, narrowly escaped drowning.
“The absence of all traces of Indians on Winter River convinced me that they were at this time on their way to Fort Providence, and that by proceeding towards that post we should overtake them, as they move slowly when they have their families with them. This route also offered us the prospect of killing deer in the vicinity of Rein-Deer Lake. Upon these grounds, I determined on taking the route to Fort Providence as soon as possible, and wrote to Mr. Back, desiring him to join me at Rein-Deer Lake, and detailing the occurrences since we parted, that our friends might receive relief, in case of any accident happening to me. Belanger did not recover sufficient strength to leave us before the 18th.
“In making arrangements for our departure, Adam disclosed to me, for the first time, that he was affected with oedematous swellings in some parts of the body, to such a degree as to preclude the slightest attempt at marching. It now became necessary to abandon the original intention of proceeding with the whole party, and Peltier and Samandré having volunteered to remain with Adam, I determined on setting out with Benoit and Augustus, intending to send them relief by the first party of Indians we should meet. Having patched up three pair of snow-shoes, and singed a quantity of skin for the journey, we started on the morning of the 20th.
“At first we were so feeble as scarcely to be able to more forwards, and the descent of the bank of the river through the deep snow was a severe labour. After walking six hours upon the ice, where the snow was less deep, we had only gained four miles, and were then compelled by fatigue to halt on the borders of Round-Rock Lake. We found the night bitterly cold, and the wind pierced through our famished frames.
“The next morning was mild and pleasant for travelling, but we had not gone many yards before I had the misfortune to break my snowshoes by falling between two rocks. This accident prevented me from keeping pace with Benoit and Augustus, and in the attempt I became quite exhausted. Feeling convinced that their being delayed on my account, might prove of fatal consequence to the rest, I resolved on returning to the house, and letting them proceed alone in search of the Indians. I therefore halted them only whilst I wrote a note to Mr. Back, stating the reason of my return, and desiring he would send meat from Rein-Deer Lake by these men, if St. Germain should kill any animals there. If Benoit should miss Mr. Back, I directed him to proceed to Fort Providence, and furnished him with a letter to the gentleman in charge of that post, requesting immediate supplies.
