.

On arriving at the post I was gratified to learn that the Indians,
whom I was so anxious about, had been in a few days previously, while
our opponents were off in another direction; so that they had been
seen by none save our own people. Finding two men at home, I proceeded
with them to the Indian camp, and arrived at dawn of day. I met with a
very friendly reception, and had the good fortune to prevail upon the
Indians to deliver me their furs upon the spot, which formed a very
heavy load for both myself and men. We met our opponents in returning;
but though they had ocular proof of my success, they nevertheless went
on to the camp.

Having arrived at the post, I found some Indians there all
intoxicated; I was also mortified to find the person in charge in the
same state. I immediately displaced him, and made over the charge,
_pro tempore_, to one of the men. The conduct of my worthless deputy
hurt me so much that I could not remain another night under the same
roof with him. I therefore set off on my return to the Chats, although
already late in the afternoon, expecting to reach the first shanty in
the early part of the night.

The Bonne Chere river is very rapid in the upper part, and does not
"set fast"[1] until late in the season, unless the cold be very intense.
I arrived at this part soon after night-fall, and perceiving by the
clear light of the moon the dangers in my way, I deemed it imprudent
to proceed farther; and having nothing to strike fire with, I cut a
few branches of balsam and strewed them under the spreading boughs of
a large cedar, and wrapping myself up in my blanket, lay down. The
weather being mild, I thought I could sleep comfortably without fire;
but was mistaken. When I awoke from my first sleep, which must have
been sound, I found my limbs stiff with cold, while my teeth chattered
violently in my head. To remain in this condition till daylight was
almost certain death; I resolved, therefore, at all hazards to find my
way to the shanty, which might be about ten miles distant. The light
of the moon being very bright, enabled me to avoid the openings in the
ice, and by moving on cautiously, about three o'clock in the morning I
reached the shanty; which belonged to a warm-hearted son of Erin, who
received me with the characteristic hospitality of his countrymen,
placing before me the best his cabin afforded, and with his own
blankets and those of his men making up a comfortable bed, on whic