In the land of the moose, the bear, and the beaver : adventures in the forests of the Athabasca

Chapter I

THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY— GAME — RANGE OF THE BUFFALO — WOOD BISON — HUDSON BAY COMPANY— RIVAL COMPANY — FEUDS— POPULATION— PRAIRIES — RIVERS — ICE-FLOES— "the BARREN GROUNDS "— MUSK OXEN — NATIVE TRIBES — CANNIBALISM — TRADITION OF THE DELUGE — BOUNDARY OF THK WOODS— MACKENZIE RIVER DISTRICT 11-20

Chapter II

SCENERY NEAR PORTAGE LA LOCHE— THE CAMP— HUNTERS— THREE OLD FRIENDS —OLD JAKe's STORY— STORM ON THE CLEARWATER— UNCOMFORTABLE NIGHT — DAWN — THINGS BRIGHTEN — JAKE's OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS— HIS FIRST GUN 21-32

Chapter III

JOURNEY RESUMED— THE FOREST— DUCKS— EAGLES— OSPREYS— NARROW ESCAPE FROM INDIANS — DEATH OF THE SAVAGES — MR. AND MISS FRAZER— JAKE AND THE YOUNG LADY — A HALT — PIERRE "a GONE COON "—MISS FRAZER'S SANG FROID— OLD Jake's INNUENDOS— PIERRE leaves the canoe — A FOREST SCENE— A BEAR — PIERRE'S CONTEST WITH THE BEAR— NIGHT IN THE FOREST — WOLVES AND CARIBOO — PIERRE REJOINS HIS COMRADES 33-51

Chapter IV

THE FORKS OF THE ATHABASCA — SWANS — BEARS — WILDFOWL — VARIETIES OF DUCKS — RAGGED FOREST ON THE CLEARWATER — FOREST ON THE ATHABASCA — IMPENETRABLE COVER — MOOSE — PIERRE'S STALK — PURSUIT OF THE WOUNDED MOOSE — TABLES TURNED — " TREED " — TREE OVERTURNED — SAVED BY OLD JAKE 52-66 vi CONTENTS.

Chapter V

OLD Jake's adventure— an Indian's death — the cave — old jake scales

THE ROCKS — store OF FURS — JAKE's SUPERSTITION — SET OUT FOR THE CAVE — THE CORPSE — VULTURES— EXAMINING THE FURS — STORM— THE CREEK. FLOODED— NIGHT IN THE CAVE— INDIANS VerSUS SETTLERS 67-81

Chapter VI

THE HUNTERS LEAVE THE CAVE— DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CANOE — THE BODY OF THE INDIAN— CANOE FOUND— DECIDE ON A ROUTE— DOWN THE ATHABASCA — WOOD BUFFALO — THROUGH THE FOREST- STALKING THE BUFFALO — THE ATTACK — OLD JAKE's ADVENTURE WITH THE BULL — " TREED " — PIERRE AND GAULTIER COME TO HIS AID— JAKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURE.. 82-95

Chapter VII

A SLIGHT REFECTION— AMOUNT OF FOOD REQUISITE IN THE NORTH-WEST— THE PARTY START TO BRING IK THE MEAT— THE CARCAJOU — JAKE ENRAGED BY THE WOLVERINE— JAKE's RUSE TO TRAP THE WOLVERINE— MAKING A CAMP FIRE — CUNNING OF THE WOLVERINE — A TRAP SET— VISIT TO THE TRAP — THE CARCAJOU CAUGHT— DEATH OF THE CARCAJOU— CARIBOO— A FIRE AT THE CAMP — THE CANOE BURNED— THE YOUNG MEn'S DEJECTION — A RAFT.. 96-110

Chapter VIII

EASY PROGRESS— FRAGRANCE OF THE WOODS— PIERRe's LOVE OF NATURE- WILDERNESS JOYS — PIERRE AND GAULTIER's EARLY BRINGING-UP — THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRAPPER — ROMANCE OF THE PRAIRIES DYING OUT— A CARIBOO BUCK— JAKE AND COCKNEY SPORTSMEN— PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE CARIBOO — JAKE AND THE BUG-GATHERER — PIERRE'S NOTES CONTINUED

— Jake's tutors — the woodland cariboo 111-124

Chapter IX

EVENING ON THE ATHABASCA — PIERRE'S REFLECTIONS — CAMP — THE MOOSE— ITS RANGE — ITS NUMBERS— NATURE OF ITS HABITAT — ITS FOOD — APPEARANCE OF THE MOOSE— ITS HABITS — METHODS OF HUNTING THE MOOSE — DANGEROUS SPORT— CUNNING OF THE MOOSE— " CALLING "—INTERLOCKED ANTLERS — A CHANGE OF AVEATHER— A HUT 125-138

Chapter X

HOW TO MAKE A FIRE — JAKe's PROPOSITION — A DAY's SQUIRREL - HUNTING — A CUNNING SQUIRREL — JAKE's DISGUST AT HIS FAILURE— SHARP SHOOTING- PIERRE EMULATES JAKE's SKILL — A GOOD SHOT — THE CANADA PORCUPINE — GAULTIER SHOOTS THE PORCUPINE — THE HUNTERS DISCOVER TWO LAKES — A BEAVER SETTLEMENT — A DEBATE — ITS RESULT- A FOREST AVALK— SUNSET AND TWILIGHT— POT-PIE — PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE SQUIRREL — M. BEVOIL'S GAME LIST 139-157

Contents

vii

Chapter XI

THE PORCUPINE — ITS METHOD OP SELF-DEFENCE — DESTRUCTIVE TO TREES — JAKE'S opinion of porcupine — THE TUFT-TAIL — PIERRE'S ACCOUNT OF THE BEAVER — HERNE's ACCOUNT — JAKe'S PET BEAVER AND WHAT IT DID —THE OLD hunter's ADVENTURE — NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH . . 158-174

Chapter XII

THE TWIN LAKES — SETTING BEAVER-TRAPS — THE WOLVERINE — THE HUNTERS DETERMINE TO TRAP THE WOLVERINE — AN AMBUSH IN A PINE TREE— NIGHT IN THE FOREST — BEAVER-TRAPPING— STRUGGLES OF A BEAVER — OLD JAKE's MISADVENTURE — HIS STORY OF HIS FIRST BUFFALO — THE "TIGHTEST PLACE" JAKE WAS EVER IN— CHASED BY INDIANS — A FEARFUL LEAP— EAGLE JACK AND JAKE MAKE THEIR ESCAPE 175-193

Chapter XIII

DAWN — JAKE AND THE CARCAJOU — SUCCESSFUL TRAPPING — TWILIGHT IN THE FOREST — A "painter" — BLACK FOXES — A WOODLAND GLADE — NOCTURNAL SOUNDS — THE " PAINTER " AND THE HARE — DEATH OF THE COUGAR — PLEAS- URES OF A hunter's LIFE— THE LUMBER TRADE— JAKE'S OPINION OF IT- GENUINE PHILOSOPHY 194-204

Chapter XIV

LEAVE CAMP— ARRIVAL AT FORT PIERRE— A HEARTY WELCOME— PIERRE's SATIS- FACTION-JEALOUSY— A RIVAL FOR MISS FRAZER'S AFFECTIONS— A " SCENE" —THE CHALLENGE — PIEKRE's GOOD RESOLUTIONS — HIS APOLOGY REJECTED

— m'leod's threat — Pierre's conscientious scruples — the duel — terrible TRAGEDY — MISS FRAZER's DEATH — AGONY OF m'lEOD — JAKE's ACCOUNT — THE FUNERAL — THE MEETING AT THE GRAVE — DISAPPEARANCE OF m'leod 205-218

Chapter XV

THE TRAPPERS LEAVE FORT PIERRE— GLOOMY REFLECTIONS— JAKE GETS RESTIVE — A CAMP — AN INDIAN VISITOR — AN EXPLOSION — ESCAPE OF THE INDIAN — HUNT FOR BREAKFAST — GAULTIER's ADVENTURE — OLD JAKE STALKED BY SAVAGES — HE IS SAVED BY GAULTIER — DEATH OF THE INDIANS — PIERRE'S RETURN AND ASTONISHMENT 219-231

CHAPTER XVI. Pierre's narrative of his morning's adventure — A strange cry — the

CANADA PORCUPINE AND THE LYNX— PIERRE SHOOTS A BUCK— OLD JAKE's scruples — SUPERSTITION OF BACKWOODSMEN REGARDING THE WHIP-POOR- WILL — PIERRE'S ACCOUNT OF THE WHIP-POOR-WILL — INDIAN BELIEF AS TO ITS ORIGIN— A SALT LICK — JAKE'S FIRE-STICK — A NIGHT AT THE LICK — A WOLVERINE— A " PAINTER" — DEATH OF A WOLVERINE — PIERRE SHOOTS A DEER— RETURN TO THE HUT 232-251 viii

CONTENTS.

Chapter XVII

DISAPPEARANCE OF THE RAFT — JAKE's OPINION — SEARCH FOR THE RAFT — ITS FAILURE— JAKE CONTINUES THE SEARCH ALONE — MOONLIGHT WALK- THREE INDIANS— THE RAFT DISCOVERED — THE CREEK INDIANS POLE THE RAFT PAST Jake's ambush — a rifle shot— JAKE's escape— the INDIANS ATTEMPT TO SURPRISE THE HUNTER— JAKE GAINS THE RAFT— DEATH OF ONE INDIAN — RETURN OF THE OTHERS— JAKE SHOOTS BOTH AT ONE SHOT 252-268

Chapter XVIII

PIERRE AND HIS COUSIN START FOR THE INDIANS' HUT — THEY FIND THE BODIES OF TWO OF THE SAVAGES — DREADFUL SPECTACLE PRESENTED BY ONE OF THEM —AN IMPROMPTU BRIDGE— THEY ARRIVE AT THE HUT— SET OUT FOR THE CAMP — A BEAR— HE MEETS HIS DEATH— PIERRE'S ACCOUNT OF THE BEAR— THE GRIZZLY — THE BROWN AND POLAR BEARS— HIBERNATION— METHOD OF HUNTING— JAKE's ADVENTURE 2G9-282

Chapter XIX

A STORM ON LAKE ATHABASCA — DANGER — A WASTE OF WATERS — THE TRAPPERS BEACH THE NORTH SHORE — LOST — A BULL MOOSE — A GOOD SHOT — NUMBERS OF MOOSE IN THE ATHABASCA DISTRICT— GRADUAL EXTINCTION OF THE WOOD BISON — START FOR FORT CHEPEWYAN — WATERFOWL — BEAVERS — ADVENTURE WITH A GRIZZLY — OLD JAKE's ADVENTURE WITH A GRIZZLY BEAR 263-296

Chapter XX

ARRIVAL AT FORT CHEPEWYAN— UNACCUSTOMED LUXURIES— THE HUNTERS PRO- VIDE A NEW CANOE AND A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS— ENTER THE PEACE RIVER— A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE PEACE— A GRAND FEAST— PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE MUSK-OX — HIS ADVENTURE WITH A MUSK-OX — FIRE- HUNTING — GAULTIER'S ADVENTURE — DRAWING A BEAD ON A PARLOUR AVINDOW— THE OLD COLONEL'S RAGE— REINDEER AND BUFFALO MOUNTAINS —MIGRATIONS OF REINDEER 297-313

Chapter XXI

JAKE FOLLOWED BY A BEAR — AN AFFRAY — JAKE COMES TO GAULTIER's ASSIST- ANCE— HE RIDES THE BEAR OUT OF CAMP AND KILLS HIM — PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE BROWN BEAR— WOLVES AT THE CARCASS— JAKE'S HATRED OF WOLVES, AND ITS REASON— HIS THRILLING STORY OF ESCAPE FROM A PACK OF WOLVES — THE ERMINE WEASEL — THE PINE MARTEN — A CANOE AND TWO VOYAGEURS— REACH VERMILION— DUNVEGAN — TAKE LEAVE OF OUR TRAPPERS 311-328

IN THE LAND OF THE MOOSE, THE BEAR, AND THE BEAVER.

Chapter I

THE NOKTH-WEST TERRITORY — GAME— RANGE OF THE BUFFALO — WOOD BISON — HUDSON BAY COMPANY— RIVAL COMPANY — FEUDS— POPULATION— PRAIRIES — RIVERS — ICE-FLOES — " THE BARREN GROUNDS" — MUSK OXEN — NATIVE TRIBES — CANNIBALISM — TRADITION OF THE DELUGE— BOUNDARY OF THE WOODS — MACKENZIE RIVER DISTRICT.

The vast territory of North-Western Canada, comprising an area almost equal to that of Europe, oifers an attractive field to the explorer or hunter. Here may be found the deer, the moose, the elk or wapiti (Gervus Canadensis), the fierce grizzly bear, and the cougar, or "painter" as he is styled by the backwoodsman. Fur-bearing animals, persecuted for many generations by the hardy employes of the Hudson Bay Company, exist still in considerable numbers in the tangled forests ; but the buffalo, once the staple of subsistence of many tribes, no longer thunders across the plains in countless thousands. Only in scattered bands do these

RANGE OF THE BUFFALO.

shaggy monarchs of the wild still survive. Continual slaughter by the half-breed hunters, and the ceaseless war waged against them by the Indians, who live almost solely on their flesh, have at last told upon their numbers.

Before the Pacific Railway was made, the buffalo herds ranged from the Great Slave Lake in the north to the fertile prairies of Texas in the south. But now the myriad droves which formerly blackened the plains no longer exist, and the few survivors of the southern herds find temporary security in the wild territories of New Mexico, Arizona, and Panhandle Texas, while those in the north are driven deeper and deeper into the wilderness each successive year.

In the extensive forests of the Athabasca, there is an animal of the same species — the wood bison — larger and fiercer than his brethren of the plains ; but he too is scarce. It is possible that this animal was originally identical with the common buffalo, but that, forced by circumstances to the shelter of the forests, he, as has occurred in the case of other animals, became somewhat modified in habit and appearance, in order to conform to the requirements of his new habitat.

In the immense regions lying north-west of Manitoba many other valuable animals are to be found. These we shall describe in the course of this narrative of adventure.

The geography of these wild regions is little known to the general reader. Chartographers, and the few

THE HUDSON BA Y COMPANY.

persons who have travelled there, are almost the only individuals acquainted with the physical aspect of the country. For upwards of two centuries the Hudson Bay Company have been virtual rulers of the land; and in the prosecution of the fur-trade they have established their posts in the wildest and most inaccessible districts. Their voyagewrs and coureurs des hois are famous in every country for hardihood and skill in the prosecution of their calling. Fierce conflicts between them and the savage Redskins have frequently taken place, as thrilling as those which render attractive the pages of Fenimore Cooper.

Not alone with the nomads of the plains have these fierce hunters joined issue in deadly conflict. Another company — the North -West Fur Company — many years ago pushed its trade into regions over which the Hudson Bay Company assumed authority in virtue of their charter ; and more than one pitched battle was fought between the rival employes.

It is estimated that the population of the Hudson Bay Company's territories is about one hundred and fifty thousand — of which number probably one-tenth is resident at the Red River Settlement. The population of that district, however, is now increasing with such marvellous rapidity that it is difiicult to state its exact amount. The remainder consists of the various scanty tribes of Indians and the employes of the Fur Company. Thus almost the whole of the country north-west of Red River is a wilderness. Boundless

14 THE PRAIRIES AND THE FORESTS.

prairies stretch for hundreds of miles between the white settlements at Winnipeg and the Eocky Mountains, broken here and there by isolated hills — such as the Touchwood, Two Peaks, and Eagle Hill.

Forests of immense extent clothe some districts, while others are pleasantly diversified by an admixture of wood and prairie, which gives a park-like aspect to the scenery. Such is the case in the country comprised between both arms of the Saskatchewan. From the junction of these streams, stretching northward for several hundred miles, to Lake Athabasca, is perhaps the largest forest-covered section in the Territory. This is the great preserve of the Hudson Bay Company, for within the gloomy recesses of these woods fur-bearing animals are plentiful, while the pelts are of the first quality.

In the west, the Kocky Mountains rear their snowclad peaks among the clouds, while their lower slopes are clad with dense forests, which extend along the chain for many hundreds of miles.

Among these grim mountains numerous rivers take their rise ; of which some find their way eastwards across the prairies, after cutting a passage through tremendous canons, the summits of which frown three thousand and four thousand feet above the foaming torrent below. Such are the Peace, the Athabasca, and Saskatchewan. Others find their way westward to the warm waters of the Pacific through alternate plains and mountains — the former often fertile and adorned

THE RIVERS AND THE ICE-FLOES. 15

with groves, while the latter are usually heavily timbered.

Again, other rivers, having their sources within British territory, flow northwards, and debouch in the Arctic Ocean, after traversing hundreds of miles of desert solitudes. Of these, the chief are the Youkon, the Turnagain or Liard's River, and the Mackenzie. The last flows out of the north-west corner of the Great Slave Lake, and carries with it almost to its debouchure a milder climate than prevails in the regions contiguous to its course. Thus along its banks timber of larger growth is found than is elsewhere yielded by the sterile and frost-bound soil ; for here the ground is ever frozen, the summer heats not penetrating more than a few feet beneath the surface. The winter cold often reaches 40° and even 50° below zero, while the heat in summer, on the other hand, rises to 100° in the shade !

At the junction of the Liard with the Mackenzie, in latitude 61° north, is situated Fort Simpson, a post of the Hudson Bay Company ; and in spring, when the ice breaks up in the rivers, a scene at once grand and terrible is witnessed by the inhabitants. Among the Rocky Mountains to the south the Liard has its source ; and swollen by the melting of the snows on the hills, it rushes impetuously northwards, pouring its foaming flood into the still ice-bound Mackenzie. For a short time the ice resists the action of the waters, but soon gives way with a crash like thunder. Roaring and tumbling

" THE BARMEN GROUNDS."

in the turbid stream, it rolls madly along, piling vast blocks along the banks, and tearing from their foundations huge boulders, and uprooting trees, which are splintered like matchwood by its resistless force. Barriers of ice-blocks sometimes bridge the stream across, and check the movement of the ice-floe. But the confined waters surge wave on wave, rising to the height of forty feet, and with their accumulated pressure again force a passage with a thunderous roar which can be heard for miles.

The destruction occasioned by these floods can easily be imagined. Forests are levelled with the ground ; and even the trading-posts of the Fur Company, although placed for safety on the higher grounds, do not always escape. Fort Good Hope, situated about one hundred and twenty miles south of Fort Simpson, was swept away some years since by a flood, and the inhabitants had only just time to leap into a boat which, providentially, happened to be at hand.

On the north-east of the Territory, on the western shores of Hudson Bay, lies a country extending over several thousand square miles, called " The Barren Grounds." The rock formation is primitive, and the soil sterile. It is a country of rugged eminences and numerous valleys, each of which has its stream and lake. Vegetation is scanty and poor: a few brakes of willows, with an occasional clump of dwarf pines in the valleys, and several species of lichen on the stony hills, constitute almost the only vegetation.

NATIVE TRIBES.

A country so poor is naturally destitute of animal life, and, as a consequence, in these desolate regions but few species are to be found. The reindeer and that quaint -looking animal the musk-ox are the principal quadrupeds, and form the staple of subsistence to the few wretched tribes which dwell on the outskirts of this dreary land. Wolves are also found ; and along the coasts of Hudson Bay walruses, seals, narwhals, and polar bears furnish food for the wandering Eskimos.

From the shores of the Great Bear Lake, and reaching to the Coppermine River, lie the hunting-grounds of the Dog -rib Indians. Here reindeer abound, and their flesh and skins afford food and clothing to the natives. These Indians are a well-formed and athletic tribe, and are the terror of their more peaceful and less powerful neighbours.

The various tribes inhabiting the country along the banks of the Mackenzie and the regions reaching inland from that river, are all members of the Chippewan family, and are called Slaves, Dog-ribs, Rabbit-skins, and Gens des Montagnes. Along Peel River is found a tribe which speaks a language different from the Chippewayan ; but these are migrants, and are believed to have come from within the Territory of Alaska. They are called Loucheux or Squint-eyes.

Although the different tribes constituting the great Chippewayan group inhabit districts widely distant from each other, and have done so for many generations, it is remarkable that their various dialects are

CANNIBALISM.

intelligible to all. In their manners and usages there is also a very close resemblance. Their treatment of their women offers a strong contrast to the custom of all other tribes on the American continent. Instead of making them the drudges of the village, hewers of wood and drawers of water, the men take all the manual labour on themselves. They hew the poles for the lodge ; they draw them from the forest, and erect them. They clear the snow from the encampment ; they even bring home the produce of the chase. It is singular that this family should stand in such marked contrast with not only the surrounding tribes, but with all others in America, whether north or south. Everywhere else savage man debases woman, and makes her his slave. These Indians are a mild, inoffensive race, lovers of peace, and good hunters.

Prior to the settlement of whites amongst them, they, in common with the Eskimos, had no ideas of religion. " Ya-ga-ta-that-hee-hee," or " the man that lies along the sky," is their mode of reference to the Deity. Religion, however, is not their strong point ; and they, like all savages, are the dupes of their medicine -men or magicians, to whom they pay great respect.

Notwithstanding their kind treatment of their women, polygamy is not uncommon among the Slaves and Rabbit-skins. Want of forethought in the summer, when game is plentiful, exposes them in the winter to the severest distress. Instances of cannibalism have often occurred, too horrible to be credited, if not

TRADITION OF THE DELUGE.

supported by good authority. We have heard of a husband, travelling towards a post of the Hudson Bay Company in search of relief, packing up his wife as provision for the journey. This supply becoming exhausted, the monster next sacrificed one of his children. This, too, being consumed before he reached the fort, the cannibal was found by an ofiicer of the Company roasting the remains of his last child at the fire ! A little forethought during the season of plenty would prevent this terrible distress : but everywhere savage man seems incapable of foresight; he lives only for the present, and allows the future to take care of itself.

It is singular that among these aborigines of the North- West Territory the tradition of the Deluge should exist — although they preserve no legend of their migration from other lands to their present home. Thus, if questioned as to whence they originally came, their usual reply is : " For hundreds of moons since the lands tvere covered luith water our fathers have hunted here ; and the white man it was who first told us that other countries existed." The Algonquins in- Canada preserve a similar tradition ; and among the savages of the Orinoco, in South America, Humboldt found the story of the Deluge. Surely this is strong confirmation of the truth of the sacred narrative. The rocks and mountains, too, bear their testimony in its favour. And yet people who accept without question other historical narratives are sometimes but too ready to be led

(786) 2

BOUNDARY OF THE WOODS.

astray by any trifling difficulty in reconciling the sacred text with scientific discoveries.

A line drawn from the south-east corner of the Great Bear Lake to the sixtieth degree of north latitude on the shore of Hudson Bay, will form the north-eastern and eastern boundaries of the woods. Towards Hudson Bay and the northern coasts from this line lie the Barren Grounds. The principal river of this section is the Great Fish River; also called the River Back, after a gentleman of that name who explored its course about the year 1834. But during this story we shall not be concerned with these barren wildernesses. Let us, therefore, turn to more attractive regions.

The Mackenie River district is by far the richest in furs of any in the Territory; and this is more especially the case with regard to the beaver. But although large game is still abundant, in former times it was much more so. Moose and cariboo, or the woodland reindeer, existed in extraordinary numbers ; but the slaughter necessary to supply the employes of many forts as well as the Indians has somewhat thinned their ranks. Great numbers of these animals, however, still exist, and afford sport and food to the wandering hunter.

With this rough outline of the country and its productions, let me introduce to my boy-reader some old friends.

Chapter II

SCENERY NEAR PORTAGE LA LOCHE — THE CAMP— HUNTERS — THREE OLD FRIENDS

— OLD Jake's story— storm on the Clearwater— uncomfortable night

—DAWN — THINGS BRIGHTEN— JAKE'S OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS— HIS FIRST GUN.

It is usual to commence a story of this nature by diffusing a roseate hue over the landscape, and by representing the hero or heroes as enjoying their situation to their hearts' content.

I regret that I am unable to deviate so far from facts as to imitate this seductive example. On the contrary, when the incidents occurred from which I draw this veracious tale, the rain pouned in torrents, plashing against the rocks, and seething in the furrowed surface of the Clearwater River. Murky clouds concealed the sky behind their dripping folds, and threw an inhospitable gloom over a scene which, even under such unfavourable circumstances, was eminently picturesque.

This effect is heightened by the sudden manner in which the prospect bursts upon the view. A steep hill ends the portage La Loche ; and this surmounted, the eye falls first upon a beautiful hill of emerald green-

THE CAMP DESCRIBED.

ness which rises abruptly from the banks of the Clearwater Eiver. An extensive range of hills, of which this is the most remarkable, runs parallel with the stream, their sides clothed with forests, and often traversed by deep ravines opening back from the water. The sinuous course pursued by the river frequently conceals it behind wooded promontories ; and, as often, its rapid waters issuing from their shelter are visible at intervals as it flows down the valley.

From among the trees which grow on one of the most heavily -wooded of these promontories a dense smoke is issuing, and hangs in thick clouds above the summits of the trees. Evidently it is an encampment. We will approach and see who they are who journey in this vast wilderness.

As we near the spot, an immense fire, formed of the entire trunks of decayed trees, shines ruddily among the thick foliage of the spruces, and combats for supremacy with yie thickening twilight. By its light we see a hut — a mere temporary shelter, composed of the dense branches of the pines. In the doorway, which fronts the fire, and is of ample size to accommodate them, we behold three figures. They are busily engaged in superintending the cooking of their evening meal ; and for this purpose they have raked large and clear embers from the main fire nearer to their hut, and upon these sputter sundry parts of a deer, the remainder of which hangs from a branch near by.

These travellers are evidently hunters, as may be

THE THREE HUNTERS.

inferred from their accoutrements. They are of different ages, too. The eldest — a dark-visaged, spare man, of sinewy aspect — seems, as far as can be judged from a few grizzled locks which straggle from beneath his greasy coon-skin cap, to be about sixty years of age. His eyes are small, black, and restless. They wander everywhere, above and around, not vacantly, but with a quick keenness, which is, doubtless, born of the necessity of keeping a sharp outlook. His equipments are apparently much the worse of wear; his bullet-pouch and straps reflect the firelight from their greasy surface ; while the individual himself seems as if he had not washed for many a day.

His companions are much younger than this veteran ; but between these also there is an evident disparity of age. The elder, naturally of dark complexion, is apparently swarthed to a still deeper hue by long exposure to the elements. His equipments are of a more modern appearance than those of his older comrade ; but they too seem to have seen much service.

The youngest of the party is not much more than a lad ; but while years have not liad time to impart a manly air, the nature of his calling has impressed him with, a boldness of glance and action which go far to make amends for his youth fulness.

Within the hut, muzzles downwards, hang three rifles. Of these, two are Winchester repeaters, while the third is an old-fashioned rifle of the Kentucky pattern. The travellers apparently reached their present

OLD JAKE'S STORY.

encampment by water, for a cedar-wood canoe rests bottom up upon the shingly beach within a few yards of the fire. Under the shelter of the hut are stowed the articles of the freight.

The party seem in high good humour notwithstanding the downpour of rain which hisses in the embers. They are amused, apparently, by some anecdote which their grizzled companion is narrating in the intervals between his attacks on a venison rib which he holds across his mouth in both hands, gnawing it from right to left, and left to right. We will draw a little nearer, and share in the amusement of the two youths : —

" Wal, boyees, that wa'n t a sarcumstance to what happened last time I wur at the fort. Some mountainy men wur thur, a tradin' thur plunder, an' you bet they wur on fur a big drink ! They wur squenchin' thur thirst this-a-way one day, an' talkin' o' what they cud do wi' thur rifles, when a dispute riz between two o' 'em, which wur the best shot. " ' 'Tis easy to settle that,' sez Gadwell Green. 'Hyur's my old shootin' stick, and thur's yourn. We'll rig up a mark fast enufF, I'll allow, an' the boys '11 jedge atween us.' T'other fellur agreed at oncest, an' looked round fur his rifle, which he had leaned agin the wall. I wur thur at the time, an' seed one o' the lads put down somethin' as wa'n't powder in the rifle afore handin' it to the owner, who didn't see what wur goin' on. A nail wur druv in a tree sixty yards away, an' the thing wur to

OLD JAKE'S STORY.

hit that on the head ; — whoever did that fust wur the best shot.

"Wal, to make my story short, Green an' t'other chap — I forgets his name — loads thur rifles an' takes thur stand, an' tosses fur fust shot. The toss fell to Green, an arter a kearful aim he fired an' jest a'most touched the nail. The boys cheered the shot, an' that made t'other 'n savage as a meat-axe. ' Shet yer mouths, ye blatherin' pack,' sez he, 'an' wait till / shoots to cackle!' Wal, he aims away, an' pulls; but thur wur no report, I guess. ' Blank this 'ar gun,' sez he, ' but I wur dead on that nail, an' 'ud 'a made a hit sure as pison ! Hyur goes agin ! ' No shot kem this time eyther. Boyees, the talk that fellur went on with 'ud rise yer ha'r ! He pranced round cussin' awful, an' drivin' home his ramrod to put down the charge. He wur jest a-goin' to put on another cap, when one o' the boys he sez, ' What'n thunder ails yer rifle, old coon ? Why, blank ef she ain't got the tapeworm ! ' You bet we all rolled about in fits o' larfin. Sure enufi" thur wur a long whitey thread a-pokin' out o' the nipple o' the fellur's rifle, which wur cheese ! 0' coorse the gun cudn't go wi' that behint the powder.

" The way that fellur got on wur a sight to see, I reckon ! But it wur nigh havin' a bad endin', as he wanted Green to fight ; but the boys wouldn't let that go on, an' arter a while they got him to think the hull thing a joke. Ye-es, that wur a funny sight, I guess, an' tickles this coon as often as I thinks o' it."