"All travellers who had preceded me into the Barren Grounds had relied on the abundant game, and in consequence suffered dreadful hardships; in some cases even starved to death"

In this quote, Ernest Thompson Seton assesses the experiences of individuals who ventured into the Barren Grounds, a term typically used to describe the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas, characterized by their extreme and unwelcoming conditions. The expression "All visitors who had preceded me" indicates that Seton is discussing those who started journeys into this unforgiving landscape before his own exploration. This sets the phase for a historic context in which exploration was stuffed with troubles and risks.

The travelers' reliance on "plentiful video game" suggests a deadly mistake. They assumed that the location would offer sufficient wildlife to sustain their needs, perhaps based upon previous successes in less severe environments or simply as a desperate gamble. Seton's option of words, "had relied", underscores this strategic mistake. The assumption of abundant game suggests a degree of self-confidence or trust in the land's provisions which, as Seton points out, proved to be misdirected.

The effects of this error were severe: "dreadful hardships" and even death by starvation. This plain result highlights the brutal truth of exploring and surviving in the Barren Grounds. It serves as a cautionary note about the unforeseeable nature of such environments, where expectations collapse under the weight of extreme reality. The expression "suffered terrible hardships" encapsulates the physical and psychological toll that the severe conditions caused on these tourists.

Seton's reference of "sometimes even starved to death" goes even more to highlight the supreme rate of this misreliance. Hunger is not just a physical end but likewise a testament to the insufficiency of preparation and adaptation. It highlights the crucial importance of understanding local communities and having contingency strategies when venturing into remote and treacherous terrains.

Overall, the quote is a reflective commentary on the hazards of exploration, especially in environments like the Barren Grounds, which require respect, readiness, and a deep understanding of their unpredictability. It alerts future tourists about the value of self-reliance and the risks of depending too heavily on assumptions about nature's bounty.