Day 7, Tuesday
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R T Sterling - Day 7, Tuesday
23 August 1763 — Even with a small fire, built from somewhat damp and reluctant wood, we spent a rather cold night, having nothing but our leatherns to wrap ourselves in.
Perhaps one of our saddest losses, though, is that of our compass. Between that and our meager supplies, we have no choice but to stick to the river. Downstream, though being our most probable route back to civilization also leads us closer to the porters and native guide (though they seem to have left, we cannot be certain for how long or what their intent with us is), so we have determined to forge ahead up stream, still following what is believed to be the route taken by Mr Larabie's companions some 13 years earlier.
Meanwhile, I have begun a crude map, the accuracy of which I cannot vouch for, without our proper cartography equipment--not even a compass!
L D Harrow - Morning
23 August 1763 — Every part of me aches!
My esteemed colleague spent the better part of the evening bemoaning the loss of our compass, which I confess is quite irking and will cause us great trouble, but I for one feel that out sleeping mats and blankets are the greater loss. There was not one single space of level ground to be found where we might lie comfortably. Added to that, it was miserably cold and damp when the sun set, and positively frigid when it rose again.
Again, in the night, I was awakened by a horrible and bone-chilling howling in the distance. It stopped after only a moment, and Mr Sterling did not hear it.
In lieu of tea, we have heated a small bit of water and are drinking that while we eat a few berries I found while relieving myself. We have decided to ration the pemmican sparingly, as we have yet to see any wildlife.
R T Sterling - Continuing our trek
23 August 1763 — We are continuing roughly south by southwest, following the route of the creek. Some ways back we crossed over to the west side of the creek using a fallen log. I noticed marking at the base of the log, which indicate that it was felled purposely--not by beast, but by man. Whether by the previous expedition or by some other party remains unclear, so I have marked it on our map as a "native" bridge.
The day has begun to warm some, but promises another cold night--such are the hardships of cartographers. With some small bias, I mark us equal in courage to those who discoverered these Colonies.
This evening we have reached a bathtub-like formation which marks the last known location to be charted by RL&H Expedition in 1752. Tomorrow we breach the unknown. There are no signs to tell us whether they passed this place in safety or not--this is where Mister Larabie turned back after a freak injury to his legs; there is no more record.
L D Harrow - Night Two
23 August 1763 — Tonight seems colder than last.
Again, we saw no wildlife today, heard no birds. The only life other than us we have encountered is the flora and some insects.
As we prepared our camp for the night I spotted a plant nearby that I seemed to recall from mother's garden. So, while Mr Sterling lit a fire I dug up some tubers for us to fry on the surface of a rock. And, ever resourceful, my comrade found some odd little beetles that he insisted would work well in our meal and give us some needed nutrients we were missing, having no meat. He immediately set about dismembering the nasty creatures and placing one on each slice of tuber.
The bug and beetle meal was not entirely disagreeable. At least I'm laying down on the cold ground with a full belly... well... not an empty one, anyway.
L D Harrow - Much later...
23 August 1763 — It is very late, perhaps after midnight.
When I woke the fire was little more than embers, and I have added some wood to bring the flames back.
Robert is sleeping and I do not have the heart to wake him, mostly because I doubt my own sanity.
I was awakened by those hideous sounds again, like some hellish monster in the heat of blood-lust. But, as soon as I was fully awake, they faded into the distance. But this time I know I heard them, because they echoed through the canyon for some time.
I doubt I will sleep again tonight.
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