At night it isn't so bad,
because I try to make myself believe because it is night therefore
I cannot travel."
Friday, 23rd, more snow again. In the afternoon got mild, and
being so much snow on the trees, it began to drop. It was worse
than any rain and the bush so thick to go through, and at last it
began to rain. I was soaked to the skin, and the snow very deep.
My hands were always so cold without mits, and travelling in such a
rough country, and falling down often into the snow and rocks, and
cutting my hands on the rocks. I at last cut part off the sleeves
off my undershirt and with a string tied one end, and I slipped
them on my hands for mits. Several times that day I had the notion
of giving up, as I could not get on at all in the deep snow. I
thought it was impossible to get through. Then again I would try
and make my way out. I came to the place where we had left the
coffee and milk. I found the coffee. The lid was off and the can
was full of ice. I took the ice out and underneath of the ice the
coffee was. I broke some off and made some coffee; but it did not
hardly taste like coffee at all, all the strength was out, as it
had been in water for a short time. The milk I could not find.
That evening I killed four partridges. The weather turned clear
and cold and I was wet to the skin. It was late when I had to stop
for the night, and did my best in trying to dry my things the best
way I could, and hard to get wood for I had no axe.
Saturday, 24th, in the evening I came to the place where we had
left the lard. I was very glad to find it. It was about three
pounds of lard in a pail. I had some porcupine and a few
partridges yet, as I would try and save some ahead for my way out,
and the bones of the porcupine I carried with me; for I didn't
throw the bones away, as it will make good broth if I get out of
grub and don't get more game. I also had the flour yet, because I
was saving it when my porcupine was done, and the porcupine bones
with little flour will last me for a while. In the evenings I
would talk to myself like as if some one with me, and plan to start
off again soon as daylight, and try and make so many miles, just to
cheer myself.
After I left Mr. Wallace, when coming along after I killed the
porcupine and some partridges, at night, my fire I would have it in
a long style and just lie near the side of it, and whatever I had,
some porcupine or partridge, in my little bundle, I would put it
for my pillow for fear some animal might carry it away. My pistol
I would keep it handy, and then talk to myself and say, "If some
wolves should come along to-night they would make short work of me.
But I guess I might just as well get killed by them as to starve;
but any way I will just make that first fellow jump a little with
my pistol. My little pistol is only 22 cal."
Every evening I always read a chapter, and every morning at just
break of daylight; and when I got a little stronger, after getting
some game, strong enough to raise my voice, I always sung a part of
a hymn. In the evening I would read first then sing,
"Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom
Lead Thou me on.
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me."
And in the morning after I read, I would sing,
Come to me, Lord, when first I wake,
As the faint lights of morning break;
Bid purest thoughts within me rise,
Like crystal dew-drops to the skies.
Sunday, 25th, was snowing again. In the evening I killed four more
partridges. Snow very deep and made poor time, and high mountains
to go over, but I thought I will get out to Grand Lake early in the
morning.
Monday, 26th, I got out to Grand Lake about 10 o'clock and was
very, very glad to get out again to the lake, but was very much
disappointed in the afternoon. I came along the south shore of the
lake and thinking I would make good time from there now to
Northwest River, and I would only follow the shore of the lake to
Northwest River, and besides no mountains to go over. I went about
2 miles and came to a river, which made me feel very bad about it,
and I did not know how I could ever get across, and could not make
a raft without an axe. I thought I would try any way to make a
raft, if I could only get wood to make a raft with. I followed the
river up. The banks were so high, and the swift current run so
swift along the steep banks, and the river very deep. I could not
drop a log in without it float right away, and also came to another
branch. This river branches off in two. I tried all afternoon to
cross at the main river so I would have only one river to cross;
but I could not there, as near the lake I will have two rivers to
cross at the forks.
