I undertook the office of cooking and insisted they should eat twice a day whenever food could be procured but, as I was too weak to pound the bones, Peltier agreed to do that in addition to his more fatiguing task of getting wood.

We had a violent snow-storm all the next day and this gloomy weather increased the depression of spirits under which Adam and Samandre were labouring.

Neither of them would quit their beds and they scarcely ceased from shedding tears all day; in vain did Peltier and myself endeavour to cheer them.

We had even to use much entreaty before they would take the meals we had prepared for them.

Our situation was indeed distressing but in comparison with that of our friends in the rear we thought it happy.