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Show 11)8 JOUHN.AL OF A VO\'A<~E tance fr01u the camp, where we secured them. 1 went up to the foot of the mountain to sec what prospect there was of being able to cross it, but had not nwre than fairly arrived at its base, when I found the snow four or five feet deep; this obliged nw to determine to proc ed and cotoycr the nlotmtain to the south, where it appeared lower, and until we found a plac where we could cross. 22d Janl(ary, T!mr.rdrry.-1 furnished the two poor lads who were to remain with ammunition and made usc of every argument in my power to encourage them to hav fortitude to resist thrir fate ; and gave them assurance of my sending relief as soon as possible. We part 'd, but not without tears. We pursued our 1narch, taking n1erely sufficient provisions for one meal in order to leave as tnuch as possible for the two poor fellows, who r emained (who were John Sparks and Thomas Dougherty.) \V ~ "ent on eight miles and encamped on a little creek, which can1e down fron1 the n1ountains; at three o'clock went out to hunt, but killed nothing. Little snow. 2~3d January, Friday.-After shewing the sergeant a point to steer for, the doctor and myself proceeded on ahead in hopes to kill something, as we w rc again without victuals. About one o'clock it commenced snowing very hard, we retreated to a small copse of pine wher' we constructed a camp to shelter us, and as it was time the party should arrive, we sallied forth to search them. \Ve separated and had not n1archcd tnore than one or two miles, when I found it impos~ible to keep any cour~e with· out the compass, continually in my hand, and then not being able to sec n1ore than l 0 yarJs. I began to perceive the difficulty even of finding the way back to our camp and I can scarcely conceive a more dreadful idea than remaining on the wild, where inevitable death must have ensued. It was with great pleasure I again reached the camp, TO TliE SOUHCES OF THE AHKANSA\V, &c. i S9 where I found the doctor had arrived bC'fore me. W c lay down and strove to dissipate the idea of hunger, and our misery by the thoughts of our far distant homes and rclati ves. Distance 8 miles. 24tb January, Saturday.-W e sallied out in th~.; morning and shortly after pC'rceivcd our little band, marchin~ through the c::now (about two and a half feet dcl'p,) silent am.l with downcast countenances. Vve joined th<'nl and learnt that they finding the snow to fall so thickly that it was impossible to proceed; had encamped about one o,clock the preceeding day. As I found all th buffalo had quit the plains, I determi1v·J to auempt the traverse of the mountain, in wh1ch w per~cver 'd, until the snow becan1c so deep, it was impossible to proceed; when I aga1n turned my face to the plain and for th first time in the voyage found myself discouraged; aud the first time I heard a man express himself in a seditious manner ; he exclain1ed . ' " that it was more than human nature could bear, to " march three days without sustenance, through snows " three feet deep, and carry burthcns only fit for hor" ses" &c. &c. As I knew very w 11 the fidelity and attachment of the maJority of the tncn, and even of this poor fellow, (only he could not endure 1~tsting) and that it wJs in 1ay power to chastise him, when I thought prop r, 1 pas~ccl it unnoticed for the nwn1cnt, determined to notice it at a more auspicious time. VIJ · dragg l our '''Cary aod uHaciated limbs along, until about 10 o' ' lock. The doctor .md myself who wcr in advance di~covercd ~omc lJLlfhtlo on the plain, when we left our loads, and ord( ·rs on the snow, to proceed to the ncarc t wood~ to encamp. We went in pursuit of the buffalo, which were on t1 c 1nove. The doctor who was then le~s r dt.tc ·d than 1nyseli~ ran and got behind. a hill and ~hot one down, which stop- |
