N^o 5

In the morning we found ourselves buried under the snow which was on a level with the top of our Fortification – and so heavy that we had difficulty in moving under it[.] Two of the horses broke their halters in course of the night – they were already at some distance but Morrison soon brought them back[.] The other horses were standing up to their bellies in the snow their feet in a heap their bridles frozen in their mouths – and themselves their bodies trembling – we loaded – tied a Buffaloe robe round each of ourselves – prepared in this manner we wished to bid defiance to the weather – we sat out among so much drift and snow that we could not see the distance of fifty Yards – no mark to guide our steps we Kept on all day without Knowing whether we were right or wrong[.] Towards evening the drift passing in large columns before the wind gave us an opportunity of descrying at a little distance the resemblance of wood trees – to which we immediately directed our course[.] We came to a small creek full of where we found plenty – both of wood and water[.] I cannot describe my feelings here – my heart leaped with joy – nothing upon the face of the earth could have given me more real pleasure than I experienced that moment[.] We found ourselves provided for but our horses poor animals were starving – four days without eating they scarcely had strength to stand upon their legs through weakness[.] We cut down the tops of trees of which they seemed to partake with a good […] appetite[.] The following day – still bad weather – we remained until the afternoon[.] When the sky cleared we discovered that we had gone out

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