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and they only averaged 30 poles to a man each day that they worked. There was however scarcely a time when some of the party and sometimes the whole were not unfit for duty on account of a severe diarrhea which attacked every one. I had no medicine except Laudanum and Opium pills, which the severe cold weather made me cautious in using. On the 21st March our provisions being reduced to two days supplies of hard bread and deer meat, I ordered the work suspended, and the men placed on half rations. Up to that time Mr Baxter and myself lived upon fish furnished by Illia, and I will take occasion here to say, that whenever he caught any fish, or game, he divided them with us, and on several occasions took Mr Nortons party a supply. He was ever willing and ready with his sled to assist us, and without his assistance I would have been unable to send to Mr Norton the supplies which reached me from you. The men from Crepast and Markova being invariably without food for themselves or dogs: he always fed them and their dogs, while they were at the station. Since your arrival you have most handsomely rewarded him for all his kindness and labor in our behalf, & never did a man better deserve it.

On the 25th two sleds arrived from Crepast with flour and hard bread, and on the same day Mr Norton and party, came in, used up, having not slept any for 3 nights on account of the severe

Transcription Notes:
Laudanum is a tincture of opium