were only anxious to dip our paddles into the waters of the big lake.
At last Michikamau, which I had so longed to see through two summers
of hardship in the Labrador wilds, was near, and I could hope to be
rewarded with a look at it within the week.

But with the joy of it there was also a sadness, for I must part from
three of my loyal companions. The condition of our commissariat and
the cold weather that was beginning to be felt made it imperative that
the men be sent back from the big lake.

The possibility of this contingency had been foreseen by me before
leaving New York, and I had mentioned it at that time. Easton had
asked me then, if the situation would permit of it, to consider him as
a candidate to go through with me to Ungava. When the matter had been
suggested at the last camp on the Nascaupee River be had again
earnestly solicited me to choose him as my companion, and upon several
subsequent occasions had mentioned it. Richards was the logical man
for me to choose, for he had had experience in rapids, and could also
render me valuable assistance in the scientific work that the others
were not fitted for. He was exceedingly anxious to continue the
journey, but his university duties demanded his presence in New York
in the winter, and I had promised his people that he should return
home in the autumn. This made it out of the question to keep him with
me, and it was a great disappointment to both of us. That I might
feel better assured of the safety of the returning men, I decided to
send Pete back with them to act as their guide. Stanton, too, wished
to go on, but Easton had spoken first, so I decided to give him the
opportunity to go with me to Ungava, as my sole companion.

That night, after the others had gone to bed, we two sat late by the