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The Long Labrador Trail by Dillon Wallace
page 82 of 266 (30%)
reasons for his failure to return, when the tent front opened and in
he came, as wet as though he had been in the river.

"Well, Richards," I asked, when he was comfortably settled at his
meal, "what do you think of the river?"

"The river!" he paused between mouthfuls to exclaim, "that's the only
thing within twenty miles that I didn't see. I've been looking for it
for four hours, but it kept changing its location and I never found it
till I struck camp just now."

"Now, boys," said I, when all the pipes were going, "I've something to
say to you. Up to this time we've had no real hardships to meet.
We've had hard work, and it's been most trying at times, but there's
been no hardship to endure that might not be met with upon any journey
in the bush. If we go on we _shall_ have hardships, and perhaps, some
pretty severe ones. There'll soon be sleet and snow in the air, and
cold days and shivery nights, and the portages will be long and hard.
On the whole, there's been plenty to eat--not what we would have had
at home, perhaps, but good, wholesome grub--and we're all in better
condition and stronger than when we started, but flour and pork are
getting low, lentils and corn meal are nearly gone, and short rations,
with hungry days, are soon to come if we don't strike game, and you
know how uncertain that is. I cannot say what is before us, and I'm
not going to drag you fellows into trouble. I'm going to ask for one
volunteer to go on with me to Ungava with the small canoe, and let the
rest return from here with the other canoe and what grub they need to
take them out. Who wants to go home?"

It came to them like a shock. Outside, the wind howled through the
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