we were certain of finding wood, distant in a direct line 25 miles. While we halted to consider of this subject, and to collect the party, the carcase of a deer was discovered. It was putrid, but little leas acceptable to us on that account; and a fire being kindled, a large portion was devoured on the spot. The men, cheered by this unlooked-for supply, became sanguine in the hope of being able to cross the stream on a raft of willows, although they had before declared such a project impracticable, and they unanimously entreated us to return back to the first rapid – a request which accorded with our own opinion, and was therefore acceded to. We supped on the remains of the putrid deer, and the men added its intestines to their meal.
“Sept. 28th. – The men commenced cutting willows for the construction of the raft; and, as an excitement to exertion, I promised a reward of 300 livres to the first person who should convey a line across the river, by which it could be managed in transporting the party.
“Sept. 29th. – Temperature of the rapid 38°. The raft was finished by seven; but as the willows were green, it proved to be very little buoyant, and was unable to support more than one man at a time. Several attempts were made by Belanger and Benoit, the strongest men of the party, to convey it across the stream, but they failed for want of oars. The tent poles tied together proved too short to reach the bottom, at a short distance from the shore; and a paddle which had been carried from the sea-coast by Dr. Richardson, did not possess sufficient power to move the raft in opposition to a strong breeze, which blew from the other side. All the men suffered extremely from the coldness of the water, in which they were necessarily immersed up to the waist, in their endeavours to aid Belanger and Benoit; and having witnessed repeated failures, they began to consider the scheme as hopeless.
“At this time. Dr. Richardson, prompted by a desire of relieving his suffering companions, proposed to swim across the river with a line, and to haul the raft over. He launched into the stream with the line round his middle; but when he had got a short distance from the bank, his arms were benumbed with cold, and he lost the power of moving them: still he persevered, and, turning on his back, had nearly gained the opposite bank, when his legs also became powerless, and to our infinite alarm we beheld him sink. We instantly hauled upon the line, and he came again on the surface, and was gradually drawn ashore in an almost lifeless state. Being rolled up in blankets, he was placed before a good fire of willows, and fortunately was just able to give some slight directions respecting the manner of treating him. He recovered strength gradually, and through the blessing
