SOUFFRANCES ENDURÉES PAR L'ARMÉE D’ARNOLD D'APRÈS HENRY

“Coming to a long, sandy beach of the Chaudiere, for we sometimes had such, some of our company were observed to dart from the file, and with their naïls tear out of the sand, roots, which they esteemed eatable, and ate them raw, even without washing. 'Languid and woe-begone as your father was, it could not but create a smile to observe the whole line watching with Argus eyes the motions of a few men who knew the indications in the sands of those roots. The knowing one sprung ; half a dozen followed; he who obtained it ate the root instantly. Through hunger urged, it was far from me to contend in that way with so powerful men as these were.

(1) John Joseph Henry, plus tard président du second district judiciaire de la Pensylvanie, faisait partie de l’armée d’Arnold. Ila publié sous le titre de Campaign against Quebec, un récit très-intéressant de l’expédition d’Arnold. Nous en tirons cet extrait qui donne uno idée des misères qu'ont souffertes les Américains dans cette excursion.

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# During this day’s march (about 10 or 11 a.m.,) my shoe having given out again, we came to a fire, where were some of Captain Thayer’'s or Topham’s men. Simpson was in front; trudging after, slipshod and tired, IT sat down on the end of a long log, against which the fire was built, absolutely fainting from hunger and fatigue, my gun standing between my knees. Seating myself, that very act gave a cast to the kettle, it being placed partly against the log, in such a way as to spill two-thirds of its contents. At that moment a large man sprung to his gun, and pointing it towards me, he threatened to shoot. It created no fear; his life was with much more certainty in my power. Death would have been welcome visitor. Simpson soon made us friends. Coming to their fire, they gave me a cup of their brotb. A table spoonful was all that was tasted. It had a greenish hue, and they said it was made from the flcsh of a bear. This was instantly known to be untrue, from the taste and smell. It wus that of a dog. He was a large black Newfoundland dog, belonging to Thayer, and very fat. We left these merry fellows, for they were actually such, maugre ail their wants, and

marching quickly, towards evening encamped. We had a good fire, but no food. To me the world had lost its charms. Gladiy would death have been received as an auspicious herald from the Divinity. My privations in every way were such as to produce a willingness to die, Without food, without clothing to keep me warm, withont money, and in deep and devious wilderness, the idea occurred, and the means were in my hands, of ending existence. The God of all goodness inspired other and better thoughts. One principal cause of change (under the fostering hard of Providence) in my sentiments, was the jovial hilarits of my friend Simpson. At night, warming our bodies at an immense fire, (our compatriots joined promiseuously around) to animate the company, he would sing * Plato,” his sonorous voice gave spirit to my heart, and the morality of the song, consolation to my mind. In truth the music, though not as correct as Handel, added strength and vigor to our nerves. This evening it was, that some of our companions, whose stomachs had not received food

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the last forty-eight hours, adopted the notion that leather, though it had been manufactured, might be made palatable food, and would gratify the a petite. Observing their discourse, to me the experiment became a matter of curiosity. They washed their moose-skin moccasins in the first place in the river, scraping away the dirt and sand with great care. These were brought to the kettle and boiled a considerable time, under the vague, but consolatory hope that a mucilage would take place. “The boiling over, the poor fellows chewed the leather, but it was leather still, not to be macerated. My teeth, though young and wood, succeeded no better. Disconsolate and weary, we passed the night, ”