The river had worn its way in a deep channel through rocky mountains, destitute of brooks or springs.

Its banks were so high and precipitous, that there was rarely any place where the travellers could get down to drink of its waters.

Frequently they suffered for miles the torments of Tantalus; water continually within sight, yet fevered with the most parching thirst.

Here and there they met with rainwater collected in the hollows of the rocks, but more than once they were reduced to the utmost extremity; and some of the men had recourse to the last expedient to avoid perishing.
Their sufferings from hunger were equally severe.

They could meet with no game, and subsisted for a time on strips of beaver skin, broiled on the coals.