"It was bad enough," one woman said, "when we were all well. But when the babies began to pine and die for want of proper nourishment, then it was terrible. We gave them the best of everything, and tried to keep them warm, even pressing them against our own bodies. But it was all in vain, so we laid the little darlings to rest one by one. They are better off, I suppose, but it was very hard on us."
Her eyes, and the eyes of all were brimming with tears. Jean was deeply affected, and her heart went out in sympathy to these unfortunate people. She glanced about the rough brush abodes, and noted how few and thin were the blankets.
"You have very little bedding, I see," she remarked.
"Not nearly enough," was the reply. "We had no idea that winter would come so soon, so sent most of everything on the Polly."
"Are you out of provisions, too?"
"We have been out of food for days, excepting the few rabbits the men caught. There are moose in the woods, but our men have not the skill or strength to get any."
During this conversation Jean's mind had been very active. She knew that something had to be done, and at once, if these people were to be saved from starvation. She turned away and walked over to where Sam and Kitty were erecting a little lean-to in the midst of a small thicket of fir and spruce trees.
"Sam, I want you to do something for those people," she at once began.
"They are starving."
"White man all sam' crazee," the Indian replied. "Camp bad, ugh!"
"I know that, Sam, so you must show them how to build good ones like your lodge by the lake. Will you?"