Many died and most of the survivors were so enfeebled as to be unable to pursue the necessary avocations of hunting and fishing.

Even those who experienced only a slight attack, or escaped the sickness altogether, dispirited by the scenes of misery which environed them, were rendered incapable of affording relief to their distressed relations and spent their time in conjuring and drumming to avert the pestilence.

Those who were able came to the fort and received relief, but many who had retired with their families to distant corners to pursue their winter hunts experienced all the horrors of famine.

One evening early in the month of January a poor Indian entered the North-West Company's House, carrying his only child in his arms and followed by his starving wife.

They had been hunting apart from the other bands, had been unsuccessful and, whilst in want, were seized with the epidemical disease.