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crs," ill , ]ViTH Jllustrations. ;i ! T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW. EDINBURGH ; AND NEW YORK. 1885. NOUTH-WEST TERRI' [HUDSON BAY COMl' •IIIVERS — ICE- Kill TltlBES — CANNIBALI ^V((ODS— MACKENZIE w species are to be found. The reindeer and that iiaint- looking animal the musk-ox are the principal liiadvupeds, and form the staple of subsistence to the iw wretched tribes which dwell on the outskirts of dreary land. Wolves arc also found ; and along 10 coasts of Hudson Bay walruses, seals, narwhals, and )lar bears furnish food for the wandering Eskimos. From the shores of the Great Bear Lake, and reach- ig to the Coppermine River, lie the hunting-grounds \i the Dog -rib Indians. Here reindeer abound, and icir flesh and skins afford food and clothing to the kativcs. These Indians are a well-formed and athletic ribe, and are the terror of their more peaceful and less powerful neighbours. The various tribes inhabiting the country along the uiks of the Mackenzie and the regions reaching inland rom that river, are all members of the Chippewan uiiily, and are called Slaves, Dog-ribs, Rabbit-skins, ^n(I Gens des Montaofnes. Alonq; Peel River is found tribe which speakKS a language diflferent from the i'liippewayan ; but these are migrants, and are believed have come from within the Territory of Alaska. riiey are called Loucheux or Squint-eyes. Although the different tribes constituting the great ^liippewayan group inhabit districts widely distant Tom each other, and have done so for many genera- tions, it is remarkable that their various dialects are I I 1 1 18 CANNIBALISM. 1 hi: intelligible to all. In their manners and usages there] is also a very close resemblance. Their treatment ofl their women offers a strong contrast to the custonj of all other tribes on the American continent. InsteaJ of making them the drudges of the village, hewers oi| wood and drawers of water, the men take all tlh manual labour on themselves. They hew the poles fori 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. Itbl singular that this family should stand in such marked contrast with not only the surrounding tribes, but witlij all others in America, whether north or south. Every- where else savage man debases woman, and makes herl his slave. These Indians are a mild, inoffensive racej lovers of peace, and good hunters. Prior to the settlement of whites amongst them, theyl in common with the Eskimos, had no ideas of relisfioiil I " Ya-ga-ta-that-hee-hee," or " the man that lies alonsl the sky," is their mode of reference to the Deitj.l 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 theirl women, polygamy is not uncommon among the SlavesI and Rabbit-skins. Want of forethought in the sum-j mer, when game is plentiful, exposes them in the win-] ter to the severest distress. Instances of cannibalisml have often occurred, too horrible to be credited, if not| (786) TRADITION OF THE DELUGE. 19 ipportcd by good authority. \Vc have heard of a island, travelling towards a post of the Hudson Bay )nipany in search of relief, packing up his wife as rovision for the journey. This supply becoming ex- lustod, the monster next sacrificed one of his children. lis, too, being consumed before he reached the fort, le cannibal was found by an officer of the Company basting the remains of his last child at the fire ! A fctle forethought during the season of plenty would tevent this terrible distress: but everywhere savage (an seems incapable of foresight; he lives only for ke present, and allows the future to take care of self. It is singular that among these aborigines of the [orth-West Territory the tradition of the Deluge should pist — although they preserve no legend of their migra- )n from other lands to their present home. Thus, if iestioned as to whence they originally came, their (iial reply is : " For hundreds of moons since the lands ire covered ivith tuatev our fathers have hunted here ; M the white man it was who first told us that other mtries existed." The Algonquins in Canada pre- rve a similar tradition ; and among the savages of Orinoco, in South America, Humboldt found the )ry of the Deluge. Surely this is strong confirmation the truth of the sacred narrative. The rocks and )untains, too, bear their testimony in its favour. And people who accept without question other his- fical narratives are sometimes but too ready to be led !(TS(i) 2 ! i 20 BOUNDARY OF THE WOODS. II li!;' Mil il; I !i:i astray by any trifling difRculty 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-eastein and eastern boundaries of the woods. Towards HikI- son 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 espec- ially 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 rein- deer, existed in extraordinary numbers ; but the slaugh- ter necessary to supply the employes of many forts as I 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 pro- ductions, let me introduce to my boy-reader some olJl friends. CHAPTER II. iBlENCnV NEAR PORTAGE LA LOCHE— THE CAMP— HUNTERS— THREE OLD FRIENDS —OLD Jake's stohv— stoum on the ci.earwatkr— uncomfortable nioht — DAWN — THINGS BRIGHTEN- JAKE's OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS— HIS FIRST GUN. IIt is usual to commence a story of this nature by |clitiusing a roseate hue over the landscape, and by rep- resenting the hero or heroes as enjoying their situa- Ition to their hearts' content, I regret that I am unable to deviate so far from [facts as to imitate this seductive example. On the sontrary, when the incidents occurred from which I ^haw this veracious tale, the rain poured in torrents, clashing against the rocks, and seething in the fur- rowed surface of the Clearwater River. Murky clouds concealed the sky behind their dripping folds, and [threw an inhospitable gloom over a scene which, even iiKJer such unfavourable circumstances, was eminently )icturesque. This effect is heightened by the sudden manner in rliieh the prospect bursts upon the view. A steep hill ?nds the portage La Loche ; and this surmounted, the eye falls first upon a beautiful hill of emerald green- '' [^ i 22 THE CAMP DESCRIBED. \\\\ ii'l! WW V ll I ness which rises abruptly from the banks of the Cletir- water River. 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 hy deep ravines opening back from the w^ater. The sinu- ous course pursued by the river frequently conceals it behind w^ooded promontories ; and, as often, its rapid waters issuing from their shelter are visible at inter- vals 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 su- premacy with the 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 remain- der of which hangs from a branch near by. These travellers are evidently hunters, as may be I THE TIIRKE HUNTERS. 23 int'orrcd from their accoutrcmcnis. They are of dif- lorciit 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 liis greasy coon-skin cap, to be about s.xty years of age. His eyes are small, black, and restless. They wander everywhere, above and around, not vacantly, l)iit with a quick keenness, which is, doubtless, born of the necessity of keeping a sharp outlook. His equip- ments are apparently much the worse of wear; his bullet-pouch and straps reflect the firelight from their tfreasy 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 appa- rently 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 had 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 pat- tern. The travellers apparently reached their present I i it 24 OLD J A ICE'S ^TORY. I i: ' m \ encampment by water, for a ccdur-wood canoe rests bottom up upon the shingly beacli within a few yards of the fire. Under the shelter of the hut arc stowod the articles of the freight. The party seem in high good humour notwithstan and warm sunshine. Old Jake busied himself in building a fir'e, which lio easily eflected with sheets of birch-bark and pitcl: pine knots, which existed in plenty in the neighbourhood, and which are full of bitumen, and highly inflammable. Gaultier filled the camp kettle and hung it over the blaze ; Pierre cut the venison for their meal from the carcass of the deer ; and as soon as breakfast was ready, the three hunters seated themselves round the fire, which drew the steam in clouds from their wet ii'ar- ments. This, however, little incommoded them, as they were well inured to the desag rements of a trapper's life. Old Jake, indeed, seemed in unusually good spirits. " It diz this coon's gizzard good," he said, " to get I JAKES OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS. 20 back to the woods agin. I wnr a wearyin' down thin* It the settlement to get out o' tlie crowds. I never ret seed any use in a crowd — a lot o' fellurs 'ithout a btion o' a trail or a rifle, an' tcarin' round like all [rcation arter cows and pigs from one end o' the week the other. Wagh ! it a'most pisons me to think sich [tllurs ur goin' on wi' thur doin's whur I reelects Ihootin' Imffler some years agone !" " I suppose buffalo were plentiful in those days ? " lid Pierre. " Yc may say that," replied the old trapper ; " I've ^ecd the time that I cud shoot a thousand o' the critters 11 a week. The half-breeds from Red River used to |«ake a skirr out arter 'em, an' as often as not 'ud go back wi' five thousand karkidges. Ye-cs; them wur [he times when a man cud 'arn his livelihood easy. )\\i now, what atween Injuns, half-breeds, an' bufiler- [kinncrs, I guess the game's druv off the peraras." Here the old hunter heaved a deep sigh, no doubt lit the disappearance of his favourite game from its former haunts, and the advent of colonists whom he (ooked on a.s enemies of the most malignant type. The loal proceeded in silence, broken only by the rush of pie river, the occasional note of a bird, or the hollow ipping of the wood-pecker, who was busily engaged [n extracting his breakfast from the decayed trunks of [lie trees. All having at length satiated their appe- itos, they lolled a little round the fire before breaking lip cainp. 1 E : ? 30 JAKE'S FIRST GUN. ill! IIIM m I' I'll Illiiill!! M " Boyces," said Jake, " did I ever tell yer about tlifj fust gun I ever got my claws on ?" "No, Jake," answered Gaultier; "do tell us aljoii;| it." " Wal, it wur a funny thing too," continued the oU hunter. "Ye see I wur fond o' shootin' since I brokM the shell; and when I wur about seven year old, I determined to get a gun somehow. Now, I seed jist what I wanted over the chimbly at Uncle Silas's, wlnu I w^ur sent to stay fur my health, bein' a bit backard for my age. Wal, the thing wur twice as long a'liiost as myself, but I guess that wur no diffeeculty ; so one fine mornin', bright an' airly, I skips out o' bed, an' w'l the help o' a table an' cha'r, I gets my claws upon the gun, a-leavin' the bag behint wi' a stick in it to keep it stiff. I reckon I didn't greatly admire it now I had a holt of it ; but it wur a gun, an' that wur everything. I stole out to the wood-shed to look it over, an' to lie the lock, which o' coorse wur a flint. I soon diskiv- ered, hows'ever, that the hammer wouldn't work — any- how, I guess I cudn't make it — an' I v^^'ur a-gwine to | put the old blunderbox back agin, when who shed look in but Pete Sniggers, as bright an imp as arey a one I round them diggin's. Pete, who wur a kupple o' year? older'n me, no sooner sees the old gun than he says,| * Jake, you've sloped wi' that thar gun, and I'm jest a-gwine to tell old Silas about it — / am — ef we dout run it on shares. Say.' "*Wal, Pete,' says I, 'I don't say agin that. I've lot the gun ; an' ' Tliat's fair ar diur I kin mak [quint at the gun ^way, an' pulled jlaraed thing wou ike it along wi' )enter as lived [upple o' days I ^ers hadn't left Fohnny,' says Pad but Biddy b'iled lers to her that c lelped. Anyhow, jiin; you're too y ^elf; so you ough rur mortal vexec lihort o' what Unc old musket gone. ielped ; an' so I w 'Tlu'ee days ai Jicle Silas says i ^e, ' that you're n ?ers. He stole a blowed the hull at under the table. ^n' only Uncle Sil Inust have smelt o PADDY'S APOLOGY. 31 lot tlie gun ; an' do you get the fodder, an' I'm in \vi' rcr. ' ' Tliat's fair an' squar' enough,' says Pete. ' I knows diur I kin make a raise o' powder. But let's hev a [quint at the gun.' Pete turned it this away an' that jiway, an' pulled an' tugged, but 'twur no go ; the 3laraed thing wouldn't cock for us. He then said he'd ^ake it along wi' him an' get it fixed by an Irish car- Dcnter as lived clost to his own house. Wal, in a Qipple o' days I walked over an' asked ef Pete Snig- jers hadn't left my old gun fur repairs. 'Yerra, lolinny,' says Paddy, ' I'm afeerd ye'll be mad at me ; but Biddy b'iled the kittle fur tay wdd it — bad man- lers to her that didn't know betther ! But it can't be lelped. Anyhow, sure you had no bisness to have a yun; you're too young, child, and 'ud only shoot yer- ^elf; so you ought to be thankful instead o' sorry.' I piir mortal vexed, you bet, an' most of all when I jtliort o' what Uncle Silas 'ud say when he found the dU musket gone. But, as Paddy had said, it cudn't be lielped ; an' so I went home sad enuff. "Three days arter this, one mornin' at breakfast, ^ncle Silas says to me, ' Lucky fur you, Johnny,' says be, 'that you're not like that sneakin' cuss, Pete Snig- gers. He stole a gun somewheres, an' it busted an' blowed the hull arm clean off him !' Wal, I a'most fell Biuler the table. I felt green, white, an' red by turns ; ^n' only Uncle Silas wur a-pokin' down in his plate, he liiust have smelt out I knowed somethin' about it. Arter 32 A BIT OF BIDDY'S MIND. m 1 1' :i •! breakfast I skims over to Paddy the carpenter, an hearin' a rinnpiis a-goin' on, I jest stopped at the (I(jor, Biddy wur givin' Paddy a bit o' her mind. ' Yc're a blaguard, that's what ye are,' I heerd lier a-yeilin', 'to sell a gun that wasn't yours, and thin to say I burnuil it under the kittle. It's only a mane blaguard 'ud do the like. Why didn't ye tell the little nagur the oiiM gun wasn't safe ? You'd sell yer ould sowl for a dollar any day, let alone somebody else's, ye low, mane man.' " I guess I didn't go in. I heerd enuff, an' seed how the trail lay. I wur well quit o' the gun, though, that's a fact. I reckon Pete didn't come loafin' round our wood-shed agin lookin' fur guns. No ; that he didn't.' Here the old hunter laughed heartily at this reminis- cence of his juvenile days. li II boulders which si V CHAPTER III. ^OIKNEY RESUMED— THE FOREST— DTTKS — EAOLES — OSPREYS— NARROW ESCAPE FROM INDIAXS— DEATH OF THE SAVAGES- MR. AND MISS FRAZER~,TAKE AND THE YOUXQ LADY — A HALT — PIERRE "a GONE COON "—MISS FRAZKR'S SANG fRoiD— OLD Jake's innuen'dos— pierue leaves the canoe— a forest SCENE- A bear — PIERRE'S CONTEST WITH THE REAP— NIGHT IN THE FOREST — WOIAES AND CARIBOO— PIERRE REJOINS HIS COMRADES. )UR hunters now prepared to continue their journey. riie canoe was carried to the river and launched ; iaultier stepped in, and held on by a branch, while J'ierre and Jake busied themselves in placing on board the difterent articles of their outfit. This accomplished, [these also took their places ; and Gaultier releasing his lokl on the branch, the light boat, obedient to the dip )f the paddles, shot out into the stream. The freshet of the previous night had not yet run [itself out, and the river still rushed swiftly down the glen, bounding in long, smooth undulations where the [water was deep over hidden rocks, and boiling in foam- crested surges round boulders which projected here and there above the surface. The navigation was therefore lifficult, and in not a few spots even dangerous. A light graze against the jagged edges of some of the boulders which strewed the bed of the stream would n ; i 34 A GLORIOUS MORN I NO. Vi. I I ■ * hfivG torn a hole in tlio frail side of the canoe, ani] sent its occupants to the bottom. Neither of the youths, therefore, breathed freely until this portion of the river was left behind, and until they au;'ain found themselves floating on quiet water, which reflected the dark shadows of the pines along the banks. It was yet early morning, and the sun poured a flood of light upon the forest, which here consisted principally of coniferous trees. A resinous perfume was wafted on the air, extracted from the pines by the warmth of the sun. Ducks sprang with a quack and a rush off' each successive reach of the river, as the boat and its occupants became visible. Several large birds were observed from time to time over the summits of the trees, but swooped again out of sight before the boys could obtain a shot. These were bald-headed eagles, no doubt in pursuit of the wild-fowl which abounded on the river. Ospreys cir- cled high in air, eying the water below. Occasionally one would close its wings and shoot downwards with the velocity of an arrow, burying itself amid a clond of spray in the river, from which it reappeared almost invariably carrying a fish in its talons. Many of these birds were at work along the river ; and that they kill an immense number of fish the party had evidence, as they rarely seemed to make a swoop in vain. Many of them seemed to be fishing to supply their young, as the boys observed several nests in the top branches of pine trees wdiich stood close by the banks of the i2'^'K J^^'^^^.j^ ^^9^%^' OSPREY FISHING. P"i:'-y;- rivor. To the birds, who, by t meted the att them to cat. and, balanced : seemed to vic\ .subdued intere: result of a swo tliey heard the descent. Tliey las osproys arc liave not that ^ - species. 'Since Icavino' [game, with the ( hvhich tantalize( j canoe got near e [cut some fcathc [tliis species, at [yards; but there 'Since entering [vith tlie solitar;) tiad secured. Tl 3nt botli in advi ^liey sailed alono pile warm sunshii ^ossy banks and |ilio shelter of th I'cenness. CSG) FOREST CHARMS. 35 river. To these the fisli were convoyed by tlic paront- hirds, wlio, by their hoarse cackling and croaking, at- tracted the attention of their young ones, and incited tliem to eat. Some of the birds had ceased to fisli, and, balanced on the bare tops of dead pines, they seemed to view the labours of their associates with sulxlned interest — bending their necks to observe the result of a swoop, or occasionally glancing upwards as they heard the rushing sound made by a bird in its descent. They did not pay much attention to the boat, as ospreys are rarely molested by man, and henco have not that dread of him which characterizes other I species. Since leaving the camp, the voyageurs had seen no jg.anie, with the exception of the ducks and a few swans, Kvhicli tantalized them by taking to wing before the canoe got near enough for a shot. Pierre, indeed, had lent some feathers from a trumpeter, a large bird of [this species, at the distance of nearly four hundred [yards; but there his success ended. Since entering the Clearwater they had had no sport, hvith the solitary exception of a deer which old Jake lad secured. They therefore kept a very sharp look- )ut both in advance and on either side the river as tbey sailed along. The day was beautif.dly fine, and the warm sunshine lighted up the woods, falling upon iiossy banks and on thickets of young birches within lie shelter of the forest, and enhancing their emerald rcenness. (78G) 3 % " lii I i^f inli: l!l 36 AN APrrioVh'f) PLAN. Ov'orliCcad was a slcy of tlio dcopost blue, in \vliicli floated a fi'W \'vj;]\t clouds, tliat Imrdly diiiiinod the sun wlienover they interposed between liiiii and the earth. Jt was one of tliosc days in tlie first half of sunniit r when all nature seems hnoyant, and filled with glad- ness at the departure of dark and sterile winter. The air was delicioiisly warm ; and whenever a light hrcc/o Llew from the forest, the hunters perceived the aro- matic fragrance of the pines whose shadows darkonc'l the water near the banks, and the serrated outlines of whose summits wore relieved against the sky. Tlie boat had now approached a bend in the stream formed by a projecting tongue of land, which was clothed to the point with a thick growth of firs. Pienv, who had often journeyed by this route, cautioned the party to have their rifles ready, as he considered it very probable that several deer would bo seen feeding alon:,' the banks of the next reach, which were bare of trees, " I guess this coon knows a likelier trick than that," cried old Jake. " Jest let us land this side o' yonder p'int, an' still-hunt the critturs from the cover of tlie timber." As this plan met the approval of Pierre and Gaul- tier, the three hunters accordingly landed ; and ha\iiii: secured the canoe, they looked to their rifles, and in Indian file entered the forest. The distance across ih promontory was not more than one hundred yards, ami the trappers soon reached a position from which tiny could obtain a Cfood view down the lower reach of tk A STARTLTXa SPECTACLE. 37 rivor. Hero ft spectacle met their eyes ^vllielJ canseil all throe to start. Two pi'rsons sat by the veri^'c of the streain, on whlcli floated a light birch canoe. One was a lady evidently young, while her companion, a man of gentlemanly aji- pearanco, seemed considerably her senior. The latter was busied over a fire, at which lie appeared to be cooking ; while the lady, engaged with her pencil, was sketching the pretty view down the river. '' Wal ! this is a caution, now it is!" exclaimed old Jake. " Who'd a thort to see a 1»uck an' a doe like tliat in this hyur location? But, thunder, fellurs ! do CO SCO wliat ur a-gwine on bohint — at the edge o' the tiuibor ? " The boys, startled by the vehemence of the old hunter's manner, looked in the direction indicated. At first they wore unable to perceive anything ; but shortly tliey observed two Indians crouching from bush to bush, trailing their rifles, and evidently stalking the travellers, who wore engrossed by their respective occupations, and wholly unsuspicious of danger. That the intentions of the two savages were liostilo was apparent from their attempting secrecy in their approach ; and that they would effect th.eir murderous purpose was also evident, unless frustrated by the intervention of the trappers. Tlie edge of the timber Avas about one hundred yards from the river; but several bushes and 3'oung pines grew here and there in the intervening space, and aiforJed good cover for the lurking savages, who, when 38 (,'RKAT CoNSThllNA TIOX. I.' !l' tliey hail ffoi directly iHilnud tlicir iinsiispoftiiiL;" vic- tims, availed of tlu'sc and crept swiftly from one to tlio other. They soon reached a position scarcely sixty yards from the tire; and here they hent for\varantin' to be let go at one of them red skunks. Do oc take the fellur as is kneelin', an' I'll take t'othor'ii. Now!" At the word, the two rifles cracked toi^ ! her. Never did a just Nemesis overtake criminals more oppor- tunely. The savage at whom old Jake had fired leapLd from the ground with a cry, and plunged heavily for- ward, falling dead upon the body of his companion, \\\m was shot through the brain. The astonishment and consternation of the two trav- ellers can hardly be described, when, at the reports of the rifles, they started from their positions and first saw the bodies of the Indians lying on the grass, an'reat chagrin his allusions to " 44 ^ 7?Z:yliJ yliV^Z) //£'72 CUBS. Pierre made out the figure of ca tall animal standing be- tween two trees which grew very close together at one end of the open space. After a careful inspection, he perceived that it was a bear seated on its haunches, and apparently engaged in taking a reconnaissance of the intruder on its domains. For some moments the ani- mal continued this inspection, and then, suddenly drop- ping on all fours, advanced towards Pierre, uttering' harsh snarling growls. The young hunter now for the first time perceived that two smaller animals followed close to the old one. It was evidently a female bear and her cubs. The presence of the latter explained the boldness of the parent. Usually the black bear avoids man, and will only attack when obliged to do so in self- defence. To this rule there are, of course, exceptions, as temper varies in bears as Avell as in human beings. In the rutting season, and when accompanied by its young, the bear becomes very aggressive, and at these seasons is a dangerous antagonist, if it can get to close quarters with the hunter. On the present occasion Pierre was w^ell aware that he would have either to fight or to run ; and as he felt it beneath his manhood to retreat, he braced his nerves for the encounter. The twilight had thickened considerably, and a dusky gloom, which seemed to advance from the sur- rounding forest, rendered objects indistinct at a few yards' distance. Pierre, however, advanced towards his assailant, whose attention was somewhat divided THE ENCOUNTER. 46 lietween her rising anger against the hunter and her maternal solicitude for the safety of her progeny. She would rush forward a few steps, showing her teeth and fiowlinLi: ferociously; and then, turning to her cubs, she would cipparently endeavour to induce them to retreat to the shelter of the woods, accompanying them a little way herself. She would then suddenly turn round, and bound forward towards Pierre, uttering savage snarls. The dim light, combined with the quick move- ments of the beast and her dark colour, which rendered hi-r extremely indistinct, prevented Pierre from taking a certain aim. He therefore advanced quickly with his rifle at his shoulder, with the intention of firing at close quarters, and ending the contest with one shot. The bear, nothing daunted by the boldness of the hunter, rushed to meet him. Pierre took a hasty aim and pulled the trigger. No report followed. Before he could throw down the lever of his rifle the savai^e beast was on I him. With a blow of its paw it sent the rifle flying from the hunter's grasp, and immediately closed with j him, hardly giving him time to draw his knife ! Embraced in a deadly hug, with the shining teeth [of the monster at his face, Pierre gave himself up for lost. Ho did not, however, lose his presence of mind, I but fought madly on, plunging his knife into the side of his antagonist, and trying to keep his feet. Sud- denly ho stumbled over a root, and in a moment lay on his back with the bear above, its eyes glaring into 1 ,1 ■" i: - 1 46 AFTER THE VICTuRY. ll: hi his, and its fetid brcatli pouring Lot on his face. A sensation of weakness overpowered the hunter, oljjccts swam before his eyes, and he fainted. How long he lay in this state he never ascertaiiieil, When he regained conscionsncss he found hiiii.sLlf where he had fallen. At a little distance he coiiM perceive the bear, apparently dead, while round its carcass snuffed and gambolled tl\e two young ones. On endeavouring to rise, lie was glad to tind that no bones were broken; but a feeling of numljiiess rendered his limbs almost powerless, so that he was obliged to crawl towards the dead animal. The young bears growled loudly ; but the hunter cared little for these manifestations of anger, and continued his approach. The animals then Vv^ithdiow to the slielter of the forest, where they gave evidence of their presence by an occasional low moan ; probably a call to their mother, whose death they had not yet realized. On examining the body, which was still quite warm, Pierre perceived that blood trickled from a deejD knife- wound behind the shoulder. This was probably the fatal stab which had rescued him from almost certain death. The moon was now just sinking behind the west- ern forest, and cast her pale light on the stems of the trees at the eastern edges of the opening. Dense shadow veiled all bevond ; and against the sonilne . backuround the truidvs of the birches showed ghostly THE HUNTED rARIBOO. 47 kvliito, wliilo not a sound Lroko the intense stillness of the forest. A few stars twinkled here and there ainoii"- the belts of cloud that stretched across the sky, and looked wan and pale through a thin white mist wliicli overspread the opening. The night was chill, and Pierre shivered with cold. With some difficulty — for he was still somewhat stiff from the effects of his encounter — ho managed to reach the forest, and soon collecte<.l a large pile of dry l)rushwood. This he lighted, having fortunately some matches in his pocket. He then produced his pipe, and, seated on a log near the tire, he mused on the events of the day. He pictured to himself Jake and Gaiiltier at their camp fire, and their uneasiness at his absence. He thought of Mr. Frazer and liis (lann'hter. Would f well as the darkness and the dilliculties of the path would permit. In an hour he struck the river -^nil followed its course, hoping soon to come witiiin viiw of the camp-tire of his comrades. He had not proceeded far when his quick ear de- tected the approach of a canoe by the dipping of tlic paddles, while he could also hear the occupants ci^ii- versing in low tones. Presently the Itoat shot into view, and he was delighted to find the paddlers weiv old Jake and Gaultier, who had become uneasy at his prolonged absence, and were now in search of him. Pierre stepped into the canoe, and while Jake and Gaultier paddled back to their camp, he gave thein an account of his adventures since he had left them. Ho was afraid to ask if Miss Frazer and her father were at the camp ; but on his arrival there he was much disap- pointed to find that they had continued their journey to the fort, having been nu^t by a bateau manned hy French half-breeds, which had been despatched to meet them. OLD JAKE AGAIN. 61 He therefore made no remark ; althounrh old Jake, who ohscrvetl his crest-fallen manner, smiled grimly and said, — "I ffuess I feels kinder lonesome now arter the trader and his daurter. I calc'late she thinks hersell some pumpkins, and thinks fellurs like us of no ac- count." Pierre did not reply, but lay down to snatch some sleep hefore day, the advent of which was already her- alded by the distant howling of the wolves. (786) CHAPTER IV. TIIK FORKS OF THE ATHAnAHCA — SWANS — BEAnS — WILIJFOWL— VAUIKTI KS fiF OUCKH— llAddEU KORKHT ON TUF. CLF.AKWATKIl — FOllEST ON THE ATIIAIIASCA — IMPENETRABLE COVER — MOOSE — riEllRE's STALK — CURSIJIT OF HIE WOUNDED MOOWK— TABLES XUUNED — "tUEED"— TREE OVERTURNED— lAVEU BY OLD JAKE. i;i: In a day or two the party approached the junction of the Clearwater with the Atlmbasca. This spot is called the Forks. Birds of many species peopled the woods alon^^ the banks; and the Athabasca itself was thronged with flocks of ducks and swans of several kinds. This river may be considered as forming the head-waters of the Mackenzie, which it joins after leaving the Great Slave Lake, into which it flows, under the name of th.e Slave River. Many islands, covered with forest, studded the ample bosom of the stream ; and amidst these the hunters had many opportunities of trying their rifles at the trum- peter swans, which they surprised within range by suddenly rounding the wooded promontories which aflbrdcd cover for approach. Bears, too, were sometimes seen, especially early in the morning, when the party observed them wandering WILDFOWL. 53 by tlic c(]oc^ of tlio forest, into wliicli tliey vctrcatcMl at sii^lit of the hcrK Amonyst tilt' wiMfowl porliaps tlio most miniorous wtTo tlic Avil change of food. The Indians shoot, snare, and trnp innnense nundjers of ducks, geese, and swans, during the bi-annual migra- tions. Indeed these peoph^ would probably starve at certain periods of the year, if they were deprived by any cause of the means of subsistence afforded by the wildfowl. Deer and other animals are often scarce, ami not to be depended on for a livelihood ; but twice in the year the ducks, swans, and geese arrive in countless flights, and at these times the natives revel in the midst of plenty. With characteristic thoughtlessness they do not make provision from this bountiful supply for the season of scarcity. Hence, during the intensely severe winters the}' are frequently in a state of absolute starvation, and are sometimes reduced to the horrible extremity of preying on each other, as we have elsewhere observed. Among the ducks the youths observed considerable variety of species. Some, and these were the least ii^;ii ■ 111..1; 54 A GOODLY PILE. vmii numerous, were distinguished by red eyes, greeni.sh- black mandibles of a nearly straight form, and a pepper-and-salt coloured plumage. These were the famous canvas -back ducks, the delicacy of Avliose flavour is supposed to surpass that of all other water- fowl. Others nearly resembling these, differing only in having orange-yellow eyes and concave bluish bills, they recognized as red heads. Besides these there were wood-ducks; king-ducks, so called from tlir"v- ^,. ' ' plumage; harlequin ducks; whistlers, named from the wliistling sound made in their rapid flight; shovellers, from the shape of their mandibles ; squaw- ducks, or old-wives — a term derived from the almost ceaseless clamour which these birds keep up ; and many other kinds. There are no less than eighteen different species of ducks in the American waters; but it is a question if some of these are not identical v.dtli others differently classified, merely varjnng in some trivial particulai' which can hardly be held to constitute a difference of species. The swans were carefully skinned by the hunters at each camp by the way ; and such were the numbers in which they met these birds that they soon collected a goodly pile of the handsome "pelts," which tliey readily disposed of at the fort on the Forks of the Athabasca. During their descent of the Clearwater, the youths remarked the ragged air which generally characterizes SCENERY OF THE ATHABASCA. 55 the forest along that river. On the Athabasca, how- ever, the woods presented a marked contrast. Trees of gigantic size were frequent along- the banks. There were white spruces, which in this region often reach an altitude of one hundred and fifty feet, and attain a diameter of from three to four feet. Tlie woods were dense and luxuriant, and in many places waved their branches over the waters, utlbrding a grateful sliade from the mid-day sun. Our hunters were hospitably entertained at the fort at the junction of the Clear- water with the Athabasca, and here they revelled in unwonted plenty. For many a day they had not tasted anything more palatable than deer's flesh scorched over the coals, or the monotonous diet of duck, swan, and goose. Here, liowever, they feasted to their hearts' content on deli- cious moose venison, the succulent " mouffle " being the most relished part of the animal ; on tender steaks from the wood buffalo ; and on what they valued even more, delicious vegetables from the garden attached to the fort. From this land of plenty they were loath to depart ; but at length they tore themselves away, and once more floated down the beautiful river. Long reaches, enclosed between high forest -clad hanks, extended before them ; the ample bosom of the stream, here some six hundred yards in breadth, being .studded with numerous islands, against whose shores the mighty flood breasted with a rushing sound. i'-.;i :;ili!i 56 IN THE FOREST. 'W. m Sometimes the liigh banks gtavo place to the level plain, and from the soft clay verge came the smell of tar, as if the soil were impregnated with some bitumi- nous substance. On the fourtli day after leaving the fort the hunters determined to camp for a few days by the river. Moose were reported to be tolerably numerous in this quarter, and the woodland cariboo were said to exist in large bands. A hut was speedily constructed of fir boughs, and the baggage safely stowed within. The canoe was placed, bottom up, by the edge of the stream ; and the seams, which had begun to leak a little, were well calked with the resin of the epinette, or spruce tree. Early on the following day Jake and Pierre shoul- dered their rifles and entered the woods, leaving Gaul- tier in charge of the camp. The two hunters, however, did not mean to hunt in company. By separating they would cover much more ground, and thus have a better chance of meetinn; with o-ame. Jake took the forest lying down stream from the camp, while Pierre took that above. We will accompany the latter. For some time the young trapper walked swiftly for- ward, threading his way amoi;g the columnar trunks of white spruce, and creeping through the denser underbrush of young tir woods which had sprung up where the older growth had been cleared out by a forest lire or a hurricane. At these places the ground was so encumbered by trees lying i and so inte: plants, toget made by the tano'led mas,' to advance, heard anima which he coi catch even f was the scree At length, tangled wooc tive ease am noticed track to be those c kind of game Light was judging that keeping hims verge of the ■ north and ea; tance by a fr: along the boi there more or Across this and poplars, w Pierre well kn guessed that i: the likeliest p ALMOST IMPENETRABLE. 67 trees lying at every conceivable angle to each other, and so interlaced with matted twigs and trailing plants, together with the almost impenetrable cover made by the young pines that grew up amidst the tangled mass, that Pierre found it almost impossible to advance. Several times behind the thick cover he hear'l animals breaking away, alarmed at the noise which he could not avoid making. But he failed to catch even a momentary glimpse of them, so thick was the screen of branches. At length, hot and breathless, he emerged from these tangled woods, and once more walked with compara- tive ease amid the open forest. Here and there he noticed tracks of deer, which froui fheir size he knew to be those of moose, but as yet he had not seen any kind of game since leaving the camp. Light was shining through the trees ahead, and judging that here lay a prairie he advanced cautiously, keeping himself well screened from view. From the verge of the woods he saw a level plateau stretching north and east for a mile or two, backed in the dis- tance by a fringe of trees which extended irregularly along the boundaries of the plain, and were here and there more or less thickly dotted over its surface. Across this small prairie stretched a line of willows and poplars, with an occasional maple. Behind these Pierre well knew that a stream existed ; and he further guessed that if moose frequented these woods, this was the likeliest place to find them. \ ! 58 A PLEASANT SURPRISE. The willows grew densely, and offered a secure shelter from wdiich to view the plain beyond, and which effectually concealed the hunter's approach from the gaze of every animal in that direction. Quietly separating the branches, Pierre pushed noiselessly through them, and shortly came upon the banks of a narrow stream whose dark waters flowed sluggishly between high clayey banks. Water-lilies dotted its surface in great profusion ; and in several places the hunter noticed that these were much displaced, having been dragged from their hold in the soft bottom and left lying in tangled masses on the surface. Where the opposite bank dipped down to the stream, affording access to the water, the earth was ploughed by many tracks, some of them so fresh that the water was still actually filling the impressions. Just below this spot the stream made a bend, and on gaining a position from which he could view the lower reach, Pierre was startled to perceive three huge animals immersed in the water, and tossinjf above its ao-itated surface their immense antlers as they shook the flies from their heads. Another of the same species browsed off the tender shoots of the willows which projected over the stream from the bank. In an instant Pierre crouched out of sight, and pre- pared to approach. Fortunately the wind was in the right direction; and keeping well out of view, the young trapper stealthily reached a spot from which he had made up his mind to fire. The ground rotten sticks, t the incautious game. Pierre stealth of an had the satisfa M-hich he had Peering cau branches of thi the same positi lie had noticed That animal In late upon this antlers among The huge b( to their necks i a head, or twit the flies which immense beast immersed to hi; of scarcely fifty ately selected i his rifle to fire. The breeze, proach, now ed< treacherous wir In an instant i towards the ba derings, throwii PREPARING TO FIRE. 5d The ground was soft and much encumbered with rotten sticks, the cracking of any one of which beneath the incautious foot would at once startle the wary o-arae. Pierre, however, advanced with the noiseless stealth of an Indian, and in a very few minutes he had the satisfaction of finding himself behind the bush which he had marked as his final cover. Peering cautiously througli the shimmering, waving branches of the willows, he could see the moose still in the same position, with the exception of the one which he had noticed browsing on the bushes along the bank. That animal had vanished. The hunter did not specu- late upon this, but singled out the largest head and antlers among the others as his trophy. The huge beasts had ceased to feed, and stood up to their necks in the cool element, occasionally shaking a head, or twitching an ear, as they were annoyed by the flies which continually torment the Cervidiu. One immense beast towered above his comrades and stood immersed to his throat, facing the hunter at a distance of scarcely fifty yards. This individual Pierre immedi- ately selected as his victim, and he accordingly raised his rifle to fire. The breeze, which had hitherto befriended his ap- proach, now eddied round suddenly, and bore upon its treacherous wings the taint of the trapper's presence. In an instant the apparently unwieldy beasts plunged towards the bank with mighty splashings and floun- derings, throwing? showers of mud and water hio;h into 60 A GOOD SPLASHING. Ill it i the air. The swaying to and fro of the tliickly-leavcd branches prevented Pierre from getting a sure aim; but just as the monarch of the band reached the farther bank he pressed the trigger. With a tremendous bound the animal acknowledged the shot, but there the hunter's success seemed to end. A thick fringe of bushes concealed the moose from view, and throui^h this Pierre could hear them crashinrj as they rushed from the scene of danger. To cross the deep canal-like brook and follow the game was now the difficulty. After a short search, however, the hunter came to a place where a projection of the bank narrowed the stream considerably. Making a desperate leap from this vantage-ground, Pierre nearly landed on the opposite side. Luckily the water was not here more than three feet in depth, so the himter escaped with a good splashing. Climbing up the bank he soon gained the open plain beyond the willows, and at its farther verge he saw two moose making for the woods in a long swing- ing trot, while the third animal, that at which he had fired, lagged far behind, and sometimes came to a halt altogether. With a cry of delight the youth ran forward, and soon gained considerably on the moose, who, finding escape hopeless, came to a standstill and faced round suddenly, licking his lips viciously, while his eye seemed to flash with fiery anger. Pierre could now see that his bullet had entered the animal's side too h far Ijack to a stream of Nut wish niidable an yards from 1 \\'ay, and to( the .shot, so wouh.l declai at the juncti pierce the he xis the sm the moose sti But, stung tc huge animal licfure the hi distance that Pierre att( found to his '. to become en hist in his r: tridge from ' sprang at hi himself witli antlers sent and dufenceL unequal cont( Fortunate! I vented it frc Pierre to deai AN UNEQUAL CONTENT. ei « fill' back to l)C immediately fatal. From the wound a stream of blood still poured. Not wishing to come to close quarters with so for- midable an antagonist, Pierre halted at some twenty yards from his victim. He raised his rifle in a leisurely way, and took aim. He would have staked his life on the shot, so certain did he feel that the next moment would declare him the victor. He directed his bullet at the junction of the throat with the chest, hoping to pierce the heart or lungs. As the smoke floated aside he fully expected to see the moose struggling in its death agonies on the ground. But, stung to madness with the pain of its wounds, the huge animal summoned all its remaining strength, and lieforo the hunter could spring aside it had cleared the distance that intervened between them. Pierre attempted to insert another cartridge, and found to his horror that he had allowed the magazine to become empty. The shot he had just fired was the last in his rifle. Before he could extract a fresh car- tvidgc from his pouch, the moose with frantic energy sprang at him. In vain Pierre attempted to defend himself with his rifle. A toss from the ponderous antlers sent it flying to the distance of several yards ; and defenceless and alone the hunter had to face the unequal contest. Fortunately the crippled condition of the moose pre- vented it from at once ending the strife by tram})ling Pierre to death. But such was its activity, despite its i t 62 LOOKING FOB SHELTER. (lisal)led condition, tliat it was only by the exercise of the fullest agility that Pierre coiikl save himself fi'(jiu the infuriated animal, which twisted, turned, and charged with great rapidity. At this juncture the hunter glanced hurriedly round in search of a tree which might afford him suine security. But not one was near enough, with the exception of a thin, tall poplar. This grew not more than one hundred yards from the spot. If he could but reach it ! the hunter thought that if once anioiiL;' its branches he would be safe — for the present, at all events. This reflection scarcely occupied him an instant, and he at once prepared to carry it out. The moose just at this moment stood between Pierre and the tree, but this Avas exactly what the young trapper desired. The beast made a sudden rush forward. Pierre nimbly stepped aside from the animal's path, and before it could wheel to renew the attack tlie hunter made for the friendly shelter of the tree at his best pace. With a snort of ranje the awkward, lonc^-leir^'ed animal turned to pursue. Never did Pierre make such use of his legs. Fortunately for him the race was short, or he never would have survived the adven- ture. As a rule, the moose is a wary, timid creature, flying from danger on the slightest intimation of its proximity. But when wounded and followed, it will frequently cast aside all idea of further flight, and then it fights with the malignant desperation of a demon. Luckily for ( ning to tell or reach the tree i which grew soi moose with a r Panting witl of his morninn tree, which ind carious sanctur latter try to o and bent benea .self upward, w one side. Apparently t plunging rounc broad forehead a^jainst it. A result of this m Fearful of t! animal succeed Pierre descende oured to distrac task. In his fi and knife whicl fallen from his up. He was the moose, in no wa the poplar, hor elastic tree swa COMPLETELY DEFENCELESS. 68 Luckily for our hunter, his last shot was now bcgin- nin"' to tell on his antagonist, so that he was able to reach the tree in time to swing himself upon a branch which grew some ten feet from the ground, just as the moose witli a rush passed beneath. Pantini:; with his exertions, and vexed at the result of his morning's hunt, Pierre climbed higher into the tree, which indeed was so slight as to afford but pre- carious sanctuary from his powerful foe, should the latter try to overturn it. The branches were weak, and bent beneath his weight as he carefully drew him- self upward, while the tree itself inclined slightly to one side. Apparently the moose perceived this ; for instead of plunging round and round below, it now applied its broad forehead to the slender trunk, and pushed heavily against it. A further inclination of the tree was the result of this manoeuvre. Fearful of the consequences, should the infuriated animal succeed in overturning his place of refuge, Pierre descended to the lower branches, and endeav- oured to distract the attention of the moose from his task. In his first scuffle with the animal, his revolver and knife which he usually carried about with him had fallen from his belt, and he had not time to pick them up. He was therefore now completely defenceless. The moose, in no way distracted from his efforts to uproot the poplar, horned and pushed so violently that the elastic tree swayed to and fro, and if the hunter had 64 OPPORTUNE ASSISTANCE. :il I 1 i; ill!' not ti^btly grasped the br.ancl^es he would have l)ocn quickly shaken from his perch. ' ]3ackincf from the trunk, the maddened beast suil- ' denly ith all force rushed ac^ainst it command; and with a loud crack several roots hurst and sliot above the earth. The tree now IcninMl seriously to ore side, and encouraged by this success the moose afjain changed, tearin2j oil' tlie bark by the force of the concussion. Pierre with terror perceived that the troe was yielding to the pressure, and before he could resolve on wdiat course of action he should next pursue, the remaining roots gave way one by one, and the tree fell to the ground. With a cry of horror the young hunter gave himself up for lost. The moose sprang forward to the attack : but at that instant the sharp crack of a rifle was heard, and with a mighty bound the huge beast plunged for- ward to the earth, ploughing up the turf with its ponderous antlers. It was old Jake who had so opportunely come to his comrade's assistance. Pierre quickly disentangled himself from the branches, and stood over the still quivering carcass of his late antagonist. " Jehoshaphat ! " exclaimed the old trapper, coming forward. " I guess old Plumcentre air yer providence, young fellur. Ef I hadn't put in my say, you'd a gone under — you would this hyur day, as sure as beaver medicine." Pierre expressed his sense of obligation, which the queer old folio " yer ain't a-ta In the woods about it. Coil to raise your i So saying, knife, and so upper 'Ip of 8(icJ'. Meantiii them the two turned to can much meat a? pended to a pc position the h scare-wolf. When they Gaultier had i lay upon the fire, the youn: white-fish, wh morning the j: his bonne hou high good hui done anything his appetite on the youths his " Whv," said nor shot anytl Wagh e: FEASTING ROYALLY. 05 \ i queer old I'dlow would not listen to. " Wagh !" cried ho, "ycr ain't a-talkin' to a tenderfoot from the settlements. In tho woods we all helps another, an' no blessed muss {ihout it. Come, old coon," he continued, " I'm a-gwine to raise your nose for breakfast." So saying, the old trapper unsheathed his shining knife, and separated the " moufflc," or overhanging upper 'ip of the moose, and placed it in his poHs'ihle sack Meantime Pierre recovered his arms, and between them the two trappers butchered the carcass and re- turned to camp, staggering under the weight of as much meat as they could carry. The hide was sus- pended to a pole cut from the ill-fated poplar; in which position the hunters hoped it would act as a sufficient scare -wolf. When they arrived at the camp, they found that Gaultier had not been idle. A glittering pile of fish lay upon the bank ; and jusf/ as they approached the fire, the young hunter drew in a large tittameg, or white-fish, which he threw amonn; the others. That morning the party feasted royally. Old Jake shared his bonne houche with his companions ; and being in liigh good humour, as he ordinarily was when he had clone anything unusual, or whenever he was satisfying his appetite on favourite viands, he volunteered to tell the youths his own morning adventures. " Why," said Pierre, *' I thought you had neither seeij nor shot anything to-day — except the moose of cours'3." " Wagh !" exclaimed the trapper, "your tongue WLgs 66 A WORD TO HUNTERS. n 1 1 faster nor a beaver's tail in flood time ! I guess now cf it had been you instead ot this chihl, we'd all on us a liecrd tell what ye'd done fast cnuft'. There's two things," he continued, " a hunter shud never do. One is, to boast o' what he's done ; and t'other is, to stir a yard arter firin' without loadin' his rifle. Them two things gets a fellur into wuss musses than a'most any- thing else — leastways in these hyur diggin's." Pierre, abashed, said nothing ; nor did lie remark on the apparent inconsistency of the old hunter's cc'idiict in condemning boasting, when in fact the one tliinj:; Jake did best was boasting — if wc except shooting, of which he certainly was a master. While the moose steaks hissed on the embers, and were swiftly vanishing before the lusty appetites of the party, old Jake employed his oracular mouth in the intervals of eating with an account of the following adventure. urn JAKrs advfnt TIIK Id )( KM— SI t'AVK TIIK (OH KLOOUtM)— NKIII " Wal, now, 1 make yersells ish mules tha ain't a-gwine i mean about oh wo three fellu I hid my plui whur I partec Pierre, who noi down the rivei wliicli jined t land about th( kivered with t" I noticed that they got to b( drew back frc 'ceptin' hyur a among the doni (786) uiiAn'Ei; V. i (ID .TAKF's APVEVTITIIE— AV INDIAN'm PKATII-- TOE CAVK — 01,0 JAKE Sf'Ar.EH TIMJ lUICKS — STOItK OP FUrtM — JAKK'S Sin'KUSTITIuN — SET Ol'T KOIl Till'. CAVK - TIIK COIM'ME— Vlir,TMti:s- KXAMIMNd THE Kl'KS— SToUM— Til K LKKKK FLOODED— NKIIIT IN TllK (AVE— INDIANS VersUH SKTTLEUH. "Wal, now, boyeos," said the old fellow, "you niii,dit make yersells rich bettin' rotten pumpkins agin Span- ish mules that I have made a 'raise' this mornin'. I ain't a-gwino to liidc my luck. No ; thur ain't nothin' moan about old Jake Hawken — that thur ain't. I cuess we three fellurs trap on shares, an it'd be raal mean ef I hid my plunder an' kep' it to meself. — Ye rcc'lects wliur I parted from you?" he continued, turning to PioiTO, who nodded in the affirmative. " Wal, I turned down the river a bit, till I kem to the mouth o' a crick which jincd the Athabasca from the west'ard. The land about the mouth of this crick wur low, and M'ur kivcred with thunderin' big trees, white spruce at that. I noticed that the banks riz a leetle up the crick, until they got to be like bluffs a'most. Hyur the timmer drew back from the edge, an' the rocks wur bare, coptin' hyur and thur, whur an odd pine or two grew among the donnicks. I wur jest a-thinkin' whether I'd (7m) 5 68 OLD JAKE'S A1>VENTUnE. 'iiii m\ III tuni up tlio crick, or wade it and keep l)y tlic iuimii river, wlieri I ii()ticc(l in tltc soft hank tlic fresli tj'aeks ()' a moccasin. ] knowcd well cinill' 'twur a luMlskin made 'cm, an' 1 skimicd my eyes, ye may bet lii^li, ti> get a q-limp o' the crittur. Now, boyees, don't you think 1 hankered arter that Injun's scalp. No! I've gev u}") that sort o' bisness sin' last year, when I not to sec how sinful an' kicked it wur to kill our kind. But this child took a notion that mebbe that thur llrd- kin wurn't Christianized, an' mout take a fancy to my old top-knot to fringe his leg-gin's with. So I jest kep' my old peepers alive, and foUered the trail, whicli wur plain to be seed as Chind)ly Rock. I warn't long in kununin to whur the cri(\' canoncd through the rocks, and hyur I noticed the sign led into the water, wlii' li washed clost up to the face o' the bluffs. The banlvs kep' on risin' higher an' higher, an' soon they a'nio^st closed up a couple o' hundred feet overhead. 'Twiir mighty bad walkin', fellurs, I kin tell ycr. The water wur strong, an' in places wur deep enufF a'most to lloat this iiiggur off his legs. Wal, I wur wonderin' wliat'n thunder cud 'a brought that Redskin up sich a horrible gulch, whur thur warn't light enuff to squint through hindsights, when, jest as I made a bend in the crick, what shed I see but that Injun 'ithin a hundred yards o' me, climbin' up the bluff like a wild-cat torst a hole I noticed under a rocky ledge sixty feet above the water. " I guess I drew back out o' sight, and watched what win* a-gwin rcck'ii, to cl a rest every "The clifl twice I tlioi the crick. . agin wiiich guessed he'd time. I wui and hardly b " I noticed torst this the claws upon i hand over lia he brought hi the rope bra hecrd above rocks at the f " Wal, I a'n poor critter f hini out o' the keni from hi.' able to say, ' \ Paleface can I ••^n' he slippec ^traddlebug. " Wal, I wi doubt he had up al)ove, an' ^ POOR lil'JDSKfN. m wiir a-,C!fwiiio to liappen. It wur plaguy liaid work, J. rcckn, to climb up whur the Injun wur. He tuck a rest every few minutes, and then hej^^an agin. "The clifF wur well-nigh perpendic'lur, an' once or twice I thort he'd lose his balance and fall back into the crick. Jest below him wur a pile o' big stones, agin which the water rushed. Et" lie fell on them I guessed he'd be a gone coon in a quarter less'n no time. I wur mighty cur'ous to see what lie wur up to, and hardly In'eathed for fear I'd lose a single bit of it. " I noticed a line hangin' out o' the cave above, and torst this the Injun dragged hisself. At last he got his claws upon it, and hung upon it, hauling hisself up, hand over hand. I now thort he wur safe ; Itut jest as he hruiudit his head level with the bottom of the cave, the rope broke, and with a mighty screech, wdiich I hecrd above the roarin' o' the crick, he fell upon the rocks at the foot o' the blufl'! "Wal, I a'most felt froze to the spot when I saw the poor critter fall ; but I made torst him at once and riz him out o' the water when he wur a drowndin'. Blood kem from his cars an' nose an' mouth. He wur jest able to say, * Wild-cat Rxleface's friend. Cache up thur. Paleface can keep all !' H s head fell over, limber-like, an' he slipped from my hands as dead as a last year's straddlfbuof. "Wal, I wur main sorry for the poor critter. No doubt he had his little store o' plunder cached away up ahove, an' wur drawing on it to trade some powder mm ('jlli!;':! 70 A aOOD IDEA. I A or some sicli want at tlio fort. Wal, tliur wur no use in ciyin' over hiin, nn' so I sot him up agin the dit}'. and fell to thinkin' liow I cud manage to drag my oM carkidgo up to the cave. " I wur determined to take a peep into that Injun's cache, an' not even what I had jest seen cud change my mind. Ef I had a rope it 'ud be easy work enuif, provided I cud hitch it round somethin' up above; hut then I hadn't the rope. While I wur a-sjiec'latin' on this difl'erculty, I noticed that the dead Injun had a iirst- rate set o' buckskins. I wur tempted to wear 'em mysell, but my own wur too good to throw off yet a bit ; an' besides, I didn't cotton to the notion o' wearin" a dead man's plund(3r. " I tuck the idee, hows'ever, o' makin' a lasso out o' the huntin' shirt an' leggin's, an' in the whisk of a prairie-dog's tail I wur cuttin' them up into strips. I soon had made the very thing I wanted. But to fix it wur now tlie rub. My rope wur nigh forty feet lonii', an' would hang low enuff for me to climb up to, ef I cud onl}^ hitch it to the cave somehow. " Wal, I fixed it at last this-a-way. The cave wur about twenty feet higher than it wur possible to climh to; the rock got so smooth, there warn't footin' for n cat. But in the mouth o' the cave itself a bit o' rock stuck up like the stump o' a tree. Ef I cud lasso this, I had nothin' more to do than to haul myself up like a sack o' flour in a mill. I fixed a ofood runnin' noose at the end o' the rope, an' arter a few trials I made it fast at last. n •■ I wur a my whole wc it any easiei boys, my old that thui' ho about me. '■ At fust I painted whit< so I u'ot use( my eyes. T' (and I knows my peepers ( wur fifteen c Boyees, I wui in plenty; cai that Redskin sides nuist hi Ho Duist ha' Thur's no locj all tliem in or never thort h iie didn't." Here the c falling heir tc "Wal," he Hie, ' Virtue \h iiu't that Inju ^vouldn't now phmder." A WifNDERFUL SKUIT. 71 •• I wur a bit skc(?ry at fu.-^t aljoiit swin^iii' out wi' my wljolo wciglit on the I'ope ; l»ut tliuikiu' didn't make it any easier, an' at ln.,st I jest Jet mysel' '..;o. Y<.)U Ijot, boys, my oM elbers aclied Jifcre J I'bnvod mysel' into tliat tbui- liole. Hows'eyer, 1 did get in, aiK.I looked about me. " At fust I cudn't 'a seed Pike's Pealc ef it liad been ])ainted wliite an' stud afore nie. 15ut in a niiiuite or su I. u'ot used to the darkness, an' I cud liardly blieyc my eyes. Thur wur jnkss an' pik\s o' the finest furs (and I kno^ys what thc/j are, I reckon) that I ever sot jiiy peepers on. The fust lot I got my clutches on wur fifteen o' the grandest black foxes ye eyer seed. Boyees, I wur clean 'mazed. Thur Avur bear an' beayer in plenty; carcajou an' deer hides, an' all sorts. I guess that Redskin wur an out-an'-out good trnpper, an' be- sides nuist hev lut a streak o' the tallest sort o' luck. He must haye been layin' up tliem pelts fur years. Thur's no location in all creation where he cud "a raised all them in one season's trappin'. Anyhow, I guess he never thort he wur adayin' em by fur hic. No ; that iie didn't." Here the old trapper chuckled a little at the idea of falling heir to the Hidian's wealth. "Wal," he continued, "the missioner once said to niL', ' Virtue is its own reward ;' an' sure enufl', ef 1 had iiK't that Injun and raised his ha'r as I used to do, we wouldn't now hey a cupple o' hunder pounds' worth o' plunder." 72 A LITTLE HUPEmTlTlOUS. Pierre and Gaulticv had listened with brcatliless in- terest to the old hunter's story. They now proposed an immediate visit to the cave. To their surprise old Jake seemed embarrassed, and hesitated in a manner very unusual with him. The boys misconstrued tlif trapper's manner. "'Tain't no use fightin' agin natur," they heard liini muttering; "but yet this coon don't b'lieve in sicli things.' " What things, Jake ?" asked Gaultier. " Wagh ! young fell ur, how d'ye know what I wiir a-thinkin' of ?" exclaimed tlie hunter. " Wal, I wur jest a-sayin' to myself that I didn't b'lieve in spooks walk- in', an' all sicii sort o' rubbish. That's what this nin'U'er wur a-thinkino'." " What spooks, Jake ?" inquired Pierre. " Ye see," said Jake, " it's gettin' latish, an' the place is better 'n four mile away from hyur; an' agin we got there, what with the nat'ral darkness o' the cave an' the evenin', I guess we mout jest run agin that thur Injun's spook. I've heerd tell they're mighty fond o hangin' round whur their plunder's cached, or Avliur they've gone under ; an' I guess this location matches both them p'ints." The boys, who had been better educated than Jake, smiled and interchanged looks, but so covertly that it escaped the notice of the odd old hunter. They said nothing more on the subject ; but it was resolved to visit the cave early on the following morning, and to bring away all the treasures it contained. m V As the mc ^vllich direct!" up camp at ; They were nc sti'L'am. Turning u] j^islily beneat they shortly tliu stream C( coL'd on foot. ci'L'cpinL;' roun pools which boulders falk bond in the c " Look hyi where I got t cave." Lookins: w dark opening rock that ov the bluffs a the sky, stre Others, havir hung head d the cliiis. B of the creek gloomy passa against rock i It was a w A WILD SCENE. 73 ii .-J As tlic mouth of tlio creek was down stream, in wliicli (lircction tlioy were travelling, the hunters broke up camp at an early hour and embarked in the canoe. They were not long in reaching the embouchure of the stream. Turning up its sombre waters, which flowed shig- f'ishly beneath the heavy shade of overhanging pines, tliey shortly came to a spot \vhere the shallowness of the stream compelled them to leave the boat and pro- ceed on foot. Alternately wading in the shallows, and creeping round the base of the cliffs to avoid the deep pools which swirled and eddied fiercely round huge boulders fallen from above, they presently arrived at a bend in the course of the creek. " Look hyur," said old Jake ; " hyur's the very spot where I got the fust glimp o' the Injun. Yonder's the cave." Looking upwards, the youths in truth perceived a (lark opening in the face of the cliff, beneath a beetling rock that overhuno; the entrance. On the summit of the bluffs a few stunted pines were relieved against the sky, stretching their ragged arms over the abyss. Others, having probably been uprooted in a tempest, hung head downwards, or grew at various angles to the cliffs. Both above and below the spot, the waters of the creek rushed over their uneven bed, filling the glooiny passage with the hoarse roar of ceaseless strife against rock and boulder. It was a wild scene, and was rendered doubly so on 74 SCALING THE CLIFFS. I jilj I llli I m J 1 i J ■ ,i ■■ It iiiv 1*1': -1 4' '■ tlio present occasion by thv^ murky sky which IowcvlmI aljovc the cliiis, as well as by the dead Indian, who still retained the upright position against the rocks in which Jake had placed him. His limbs liad becuiiio rigid, his eyes were open, and he seemed to fix a stony stare upon the party as they approached. A couple of vultures flapped heavily across the sum- mit oi' the chasm, their foul instincts having led tht'iu to the spot to banquet on the corpse. One of these perched upon a pine which leaned forward from tlic cliff. " Wau'h ! " exclaimed Jake, with strong disgust, " look at that thur stinkin' case. I guess they'd 'a made a meal o' the Redskin ef we hadn't kem too soon. — Hyur's a pill for yer," he continued, raising his rifle. At the report, which echoed from side to side of tlio canon with a thousand reverberations, the ungainly bird dropped from the branch, and whirling down with great rapidity, it fell with a heavy sound upon a pile of boulders which parted the waters of the creek. The hunters had brought a strong hide lasso with them from the canoe, and old Jake, having attaclicd this firmly to the rope which he had used on the pre- ceding day, and which still depended from the cave, sAvung himself up with many a kick and scramble. In this position he presented so ludicrous a spectacle that the boys could not restrain their mirth, and burst into shouts of laughter. " Giggle-goggle, young fellurs, till yer busts. Ye're I wolconio to y( f ■' (rvac<'ful than considerable o' , I So saying, \ i He spoke trul I tind the ascent i|l had the advar 1 nuiscle, was no \\vf use of eve feet upon. Bi tjuisli the atte: lions. At length, hi cave and rejoin tion of the stc were not much skins piled nej condition. De( respective plact fated Redskin 1 the arrangemer In all, the ivi moose and cari; black foxes, an some total. B( collection of ti' ing order; and ( with long ban ammunition, a: THE CAVE AND ITS TJlEASUPiES. welcome to yer fun. See if yo can shin it up more graceful than this coon. I guess ye'll find it pretty considerable o' a climb afore ye stands hyur." So saying, the old hunter vanished into the cave. He spoke truly when he said that the youths would {iiul the ascent of the rock far from easy. Pierre, who had the advantage of Gaultier in years as well as in muscle, was not long in handing himself upwards, mak- ing use of every excrescence or projection to plant his feet upon. But the latter had several times to relin- ijuisli the attempt and rest before renewing his exer- tions. At length, however, he stood in the entrance of the cave and rejoined his companions. Old Jake's descrip- tion of the stores which the Indian had accumulated were not much exaggerated. There were many beaver- skins piled neatly one on the other, and all in good condition. Deer-hides and bear-skins had each their respective places, as indeed had all the others, the ill- fated Redskin having evidently been a lover of order in tlie arransrement of his effects. In all, the trappers counted one hundred beaver, fifty moose and cariboo hides, twenty-five bear-skins, fifteen black foxes, and twenty various, making a very hand- some total. Besides the furs and peltries there was a collection of traps, most of which were in good work- ing order; and on a shelf were a smooth-bore single gun with long barrel, of small gauge, with pouches, some ammunition, and various small articles used by the 76 RAIN IN TORRENTS. late proprietor in pursuit of his calling. On the floor of the cavern were the remains of a fire which had evi- dently been used during the preceding few days. Clearly the Indian had Liade hi.s cache his place of residence. Some l tdci::;, litcj'sils lay scattered around, and from a peg in ', •.•o.r/.i :o hung the hams of a fine cariboo buck. As old Jake investigated the condition of each skin separately, and bound them into packs of a convehi-iit size for removal, the examination lasted for many hours. At length all was ready for their departure. Pierre volunteered to make the descent first, and deposit eacli bundle as it was lowered in a place of safety. Witli this intention he advanced to the mouth of the Ccave, when an exclamation from him brought his companions to his side in a moment. While they had been busied in their occupation, the rain had been descending in torrents, and the creek, swollen by the deluge, thun- dered down the canon with ever-increasincc vohnne. Small trees and wrack were whirled swiftly by — tlio former sometimes uprearing themselves in their natural position above the foaming flood, sometimes standing reversed, their roots uppermost, as they were caught in the fierce eddies. The first thought of the hunters was for their canoe, which contained their stores, and in fact almost the whole of their worldly possessions. It was, without doubt, swept from its fastenings and carried down to the Athabasca, or capsized and sunk among the Loul- H I ders which ev Peering ove saw that the lielow sloped the face of tli this that Jak( the foani-covei ually reached " I reckon h more," said Ji body, disturbe( its position, t (juiekly whirl ( getlier, sometii upon the surg bend of the ci water into foa suddenly rose outspread, and the corner. "Jehoshaphs that? The sk We're tied up most likely, In shootin'." The youths the old hunter' ^y the solemn] REDHKIN AC A IN. i -1 t dors which cvcrywheru obstructed the channel of the civck. Peering over the verge of the entrance, tlie hunters .saw that the waters had crept up the bank which just below sloped up from the former level of the creek to the face of the cliff". It was at the highest point of this that Jake had placed the dead Indian, and now the fuaiii-covered stream rose about the body, and grad- ually reached higher and higher. " I reckon he'll float out o' this gulch in half a shake more," said Jake ; and so, in fact, it happened. The bo'ly, disturbed by the lapping of the waves, fell from its position, and being caught by the stream, was (juickly whirled along, sometimes disappearing alto- gether, sometimes visible for a moment as it was borne upon the surging bosom of the torrent. Just at the bend of the creek, where some large rocks broke the water into foam as it bounded over them, the body suddenly rose upright from the surface, with hands outspread, and slowly lieeled over, disappearing round the corner. "Jehoshaphat, fellurs !" cried Jake, "did yer see that ? The skunk shook his fist at us, I'm sartin. Ef we're tied up in this hyur trap to-night, as seems most likely, lit II walk in among us. That's sure as shootin'." The youths said nothing ; not because they shared the old hunter's superstition, but they were impressed by the solemnit}^ of the scene, and the weird spectacle 78 A DEAFENING CItASIf. of the upright corpse, whicli seemed to toss its urius frantically as it vanislied from their eyes. Abroad, the rain still hissed upon the turhid wati'Vs, which had dit ten feet alj til now risen former height, and rendered escape at present impos- sible. Within, the cave was shrouded in darkness, in which the figure of old Jake was dimly discernible as he groped about among the packs of skins. Sudileiily a vivid light flashed through the gloom, startling tlic party, gleaming on the ritle barrels, and revealing fur an instant the most distant corners of t.'ie cavciii. Almost simultaneously a deafening crash of thuiKkr bellowed through the gorge, completely ov^erpoweriiiL;- the roar of the torrent, and echoing with inteiisitii.d loudness from cliii' to cliff, like the continued discharge of batteries of heavy artillery. The comparative silence Avhich followed this uproar of nature seemed oppressive by the contrast, althougli the stream still rushed on with unabated violence at the height of twenty feet above its ordinary le\cl. After a lull of some minutes, a loud roll of thunder again shook the air, immediately succeeded by light- ni)ig of intensest brilliancy. Flash followed flash in rapid succession. The rain continued to descend even more heavily than before. — It was now late in tlic afternoon, and the hunters began to feel hungry. They had brought no food with them ; but, luckily, the cari- boo hams were fresh, and each of the party habitually carried about with him the means of makinu' a lire. Some dry < furnished fue pers were hqi the pleasant i long fasting f "Wal.Igu oastinu' an e^ larLfc as to i comfort. "T best places in in an oncomfi for beauty toi alius pitches with tinuner t "AVitli sue • tlicy are cer country sctti ■ i seem to have <^| with regard ■ I superior." ^ -'That's tri to git a raal ] Thur's a clas the devil hin j the Injuns a Ver raal wilt ■ likes to be. , all alike." ^ "I don't k » i *fi INDIA XS VKIiSUS SETTLERS. 79 \ (■ir iii ^ #; * ! i Some (liy driftwood, collected no doubt by the Indian, fiirnisliod fuel, and in a very short time the three trap- pers wore seated round the cheerful blaze, enf^^ipfed in tlio pleasant task of appeasino- appetites sharpened by litiii;' fasting as "well as by exertion. " Wal, I g'uess this is a snug location now," said Jake, casting an eye round the cavern, which was not so large as to impress its occupants with a sense of dis- comfort. "Them Injuns ur great at lindini,^ out the licst places in the woods. I niver seed an Injun camp in an oncomfortable spot ; an' the critturs hev an eye for beauty too — they hev so. Ef they kin, they a'most alius pitches thnr camp in a nice, cool, green place, with tinmier an' water at hand, an' a nice view at that." "Witli such taste for the picturesque," said Pierre, • tlicy are certainly less savage than many of the old country settlers who come among us. Tliey do not seem to have taste of any kind ; and I am sure that with regard to manners, the Indian is infinitely their superior." '' That's true for you," said Jake ; " but I reckon, to git a raal Injun, one must leave the frontier behind. Thur's a class o' whites along the border as cud teach the devil himself wickedness he didn't know afore, an' the Injuns are apt to larn all that's bad they sees. Yer raal wild Injun's a gentleman — that is, when he likes to be. On the war-trail, though, I calc'late thur all alike." "I don't know that we're any better at that time 80 A Dnh'.tnv orrrjiOK. '''i \3 % m c'ithor," ronmrkod Ojiullior, "our i-iilo oi action is io t'lko cvcny advantaj^^*, and kill all w«» can. With llic Intlians, those who niakti tlu^ (Hiarrcl ^^o out (o li^lit ; while with us they remain safe at home, while [\u<\\- sands of their dupes are heinj; massacred for tlie sake of an idea. I think our only claim to moral superior- ity consists in the fact that we do not take scalps — a slender plea to found the claim on." "I don't hold with yer thur," said Jake; " tluu's whites an' whites, an' Injuns an' Injuns. I knows, bocau.se I've seed it, that out far in the wilderness the Christianized Redskins are simple, honest, and [(ood; hut then thur's more on 'em that's as bad as the worst white a-<>'oin.' An' amoni; the whites thur's some nn 'em that's o-ood, an' some on 'em that's bad. I