Father Aulneau went back with De la Verendrye as chaplain. The trip
was made at terrible speed, in the hottest season, through stifling
forest fires. Behind, at slower pace, came the provisions. De la
Verendrye reached the Lake of the Woods in September. Fearing the
delay of the goods for trade, and dreading the danger of famine with so
many men in one place, De la Verendrye despatched Jemmeraie to winter
with part of the forces at Lake Winnipeg, where Jean and Pierre, the
second son, had built Fort Maurepas. The worst fears were realized.
Ice had blocked the Northern rivers by the time the supplies had come
to Lake Superior. Fishing failed. The hunt was poor. During the
winter of 1736 food became scantier at the little forts of St. Pierre,
St. Charles, and Maurepas. Rations were reduced from three times to
once and twice a day. By spring De la Verendrye was put to all the
extremities of famine-stricken traders, his men subsisting on
parchment, moccasin leather, roots, and their hunting dogs.
He was compelled to wait at St. Charles for the delayed supplies.
While he waited came blow upon blow: Jean and Pierre arrived from Fort
Maurepas with news that Jemmeraie had died three weeks before on his
way down to aid De la Verendrye. Wrapped in a hunter's robe, his body
was buried in the sand-bank of a little Northern stream, La Fourche des
Roseaux. Over the lonely grave the two brothers had erected a cross.
Father and sons took stock of supplies.
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