and we had to make so many short portages that after we had
ascended the river two miles it was time to camp.

We pitched our tent on a rising plateau just below a stretch of
rushing water. As soon as we stopped, Hubbard tried to fish, and
while I made camp he landed fifteen trout averaging nearly half a
pound each. They were most welcome, as the time had come when we
had to live off the country. Our bread ration was now cut down to
one-third of a loaf a day for each man. As we had no lard, it was
made simply of flour, baking powder, and water. It was baked in
our frying pan, and a loaf was about eight inches in diameter and
one inch thick, so that our daily ration was but a morsel. We also
decided that from now on we should use pea meal only on rare
occasions, and to reserve our other provisions, with the exception
of a few dried apples, tea, coffee and a little chocolate and
cocoa, to give us a start should we at any time find it necessary
to make a sudden dash for the Post.

Our clothing was rapidly disintegrating. The front of Hubbard's
trouser leg was all torn open again, and once more he had to resort
to pieces of twine. We had frequent discussions at this period as
to whose appearance was the most beautiful. For a time Hubbard and
I would claim the distinction each for himself, but it usually
ended by our conceding the distinction to George. As a matter of
fact, with our unkempt hair and beards and our rags, we now formed
as tough looking a party of tramps as ever "came down the pike."
That night in camp I cut up my canvas leggings and used pieces of
the canvas to rebottom my moccasins, sewing it on with shoemaker's
thread.