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I 
 
 The Battle with the Eagle. 
 
WINTER ADVENTURES 
 
 OF THREE BOYS 
 
 IN THE GREAT LONE LAND 
 
 BY 
 
 EGERTON R. YOUNG 
 
 Author op "Bv Canok and Doq-train," "Thrkk Boys in thk Wild 
 
 North Land," etc. 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM DRAWINGS BY 
 J. E. LAUGHLIN, AND FROM PHOTOGRAPHS 
 
 " The V ' -<s ot memoiy s^e the dreams of jrouth ; 
 And fancy weaves garlands of flowers of truth." 
 
 -E. R. Y., Jr. 
 
 J 
 
 NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS. 
 CINCINNATI : JENNINGS & PYE. 
 
7 O i (c Avi. 
 
 149458 
 
 c)6/AV(?, ^-^ 
 
 Copyright by 
 
 EATON & MAINS, 
 
 1899. 
 
 Eaton & Mains Press, 
 «5o Fifth Avenue, New York. 
 
 .'I 
 
EXPLANATORY. 
 
 This book of Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 in the Great Lone Land follows the one entitled 
 Three Boys in the Wild North Land. In the pre- 
 vious volume the stories were those of the Summer 
 and Fall. In -nis book they are of the Winter and 
 Spring. Each volume is complete in itself. 
 
 In sending out this volume the author is pro- 
 foundly thankful to the indulgent reviewers who 
 had so many kind words to say about the first book. 
 In about the only adverse criticism that we saw, and 
 which was kindly written, the reviewer seemed to 
 think it strange that boys could have such a jolly 
 time with a lot of Christian Indians as we had 
 described. He rightly stated that boys* ideas of 
 Indians were associated with the tomahawk and the 
 scalping knife, and that they had the impression that 
 the only good time they could have among them was 
 when the blood-curdling war-whoops were heard 
 and the redskins were being shot down by adventur- 
 ous lads led on by cowboys. There has been alto- 
 gether too many of these false and erroneous ideas 
 
Explanatory 
 
 about the Indians circulated. Such things are now 
 
 impossibilities. 
 
 In these volumes we have given the correct idea 
 
 of the Indian as he is to-day in regions where for 
 
 years we lived. The Gospel has transformed his 
 
 once cruel nature, but has not marred his cleverness 
 
 and skill as a hunter or a guide. The brief glimpses 
 
 into his religious life are absolutely true, and the 
 
 insertion of them will, we trust, not weaken, but 
 
 rather strengthen the book. 
 
 6 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Sagasta-wcekee — A Happy Home in the Great Lone Land- 
 Three Boys there Welcomed — The Sudden Coming of Winter 
 — Various Sporis Discussed — Hunah for the Dogs!— Useful 
 Animals — Dog- whips — Kinesasis, the Dog-keeper. . • 13 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 Bringing Home the Dogs — The Thin Ice — Method of Cross- 
 ing Dangerous Peaces — The Dogs' Summer Home — The 
 Return Trip— The Unexpected Goose Hunt— The Saucy Fox — 
 Kinesasis's Question — "Why do the Geese go to the South 
 Land?" 24 
 
 CHAPTER HL 
 
 Selecting Their Dogs— Various Methods of Breaking Them 
 In — Frank's Success by Kindness with Monarch — Sam's 
 Troubles with Spitfire — Conquered at Last — Training and Cap- 
 turing Dogs with Dogs — Alec's Train of Part Staghounds. 37 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Numerous Dogs — Useful Animals — Food Supply— Frozen 
 Fish — Bringing Them Home — Vigorous Work for Boys and 
 Doflfs — Frank's Tumble — Sam's Ducking — Skating Parties — 
 Alec's Thrilling Adventure — The Race for Life — Northern 
 Gray Wolves — Vheir Cunning — Their Various Stratagems- 
 Mr. Ross Fear);— The Search Party — Alec Rescued — fhc 
 Wolves Shot 52 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Invitation to the Indian School Examination and Sports 
 — Trapping Experiences — The Cunning Cross Fox — Frank 
 Seeking Aid from Memotas — Method of Successful Trap- 
 setting— Toyous Trip to the Mission — An Abiding Christian 
 
 7 
 
Contents 
 
 Civilization for the Indians— Sam's and a Young Indian's Novel 
 Hunting Methods — Wild- cats Captured — The Queer Battle 
 Between ■». Fox and a Wild Cat. . . . . .71 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 The Winter Birds of the Great Lone Land— The Whisky 
 Jack — The Ptarmigan — Their Beds in the Snow — Mission 
 Visits — Cupid's Darts — The Wood Supply — Primitive Way of 
 Capturing Partridges — Great Snowy Owls — Methods of Cap- 
 ture — Sam's Experience — The Fearful Grip of the Owl's 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Wounds from Claws versus Teeth Discussed — Mr. Ross's 
 Story of the Battle with the Eagles — Their Mountain Eyrie — 
 Their Hunting Skill — Their Voracity — The Eaglets — The Con- 
 flict — The Result — The Painful Wounds. . . . loi 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Sundays in the Great Lone Land — Services at the Mission — 
 By Skiff or Canoe in Summer — By Dog-train in Winter — 
 Napoleon, the Tame Bear, and His Load — Services at Sagasta- 
 weekee — Missionary* Journeys — Native Ministers — The Queer 
 Sermon — Happy Christmas Times — New Year's, the Great 
 Day — Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou, the Kissing Day — Varied Experi- 
 ences — The Great Feast — Happy Indians — Thanksgiving, no 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 The Indian School Examinations — The Prizes — Noble In- 
 dian Boys — The Skates to Kepastick — The Various Sports — 
 Foot Races — The Skating Race — Tricky Clerk Outwitted — 
 Frank and Kepastick Tie as Winners — Football — Hockey. 127 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Great Race with the Dog-trains — Careful Preparations 
 by Alec — The Diflferent Breathing Places — The Treacherous 
 Half-breeds — Their Signal Failure — Alec's Triumph. . 138 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Pasche Disappears — The Search — Big Tom and Mustagan — 
 
 The Whisky Jacks — Pasche Found in a Hollow Tree — Chased 
 
 8 
 
CONTKNTS 
 
 by an Angry Moose Bull— Pasche Rescued— His Quaint Ac- 
 count of His Adventures. ...... 148 
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 
 Kines&sis's Wonderful Story — How He Wooed Shakoona — 
 Their Youthful Days — Miskoodell Rescued from the Bear — 
 Oosahmekoo with His Gold — KinesasisV Successful Hunt — 
 His Furs Stolen — Marries Shakoona — Conflict with the Old 
 Warrior. ......... 161 
 
 CHAPTER Xni. 
 Comments on Kinesasis's Wonderful Story — The Pack of 
 Furs Recovered — Honesty of Indians — Their Different Hunt- 
 ing Grounds — The Golden Rule — The Dishonest Foreign In- 
 dian — His Sudden Death 177 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Home Amusements and Studies — Happy Days at Sagasta- 
 weekee — Stories of the Early Hunters — Methods of Hunting 
 Before the Introduction of Firearms — Wolves More Dreaded 
 Then — Story of Two of Kinesasis's Children — Killed by 
 Wolves — Shakoona's Sorrow — Saved by the Caresses of Little 
 Children 185 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The Beavers, and Something About Them — ^Two Hunters at 
 Sagasta-weekee — A General Invitation to a Beaver Hunt Ac- 
 cepted — The Preparations — The Trip — Dog-traveling in the 
 Woods — Sau y Wild Animals — The Wolf's Cove — The Boys' 
 Plunge in the Snowdrift — The Rescue. . . . .194 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 Still on the Way to the Beaver House — The Winter Camp in 
 the Woods — Work for All — Feeding the Dogs — Our Boys 
 Guarding Their Own Train — The Evening Meal — Bitter Co^d 
 — Milk in Lumps of Ice — Evening Prayers — The Wintry Camp 
 Bed — Tucked In — Mysterious Sounds in the Forest — Smother- 
 ing Sensations — Sam's Nightmare — Breakfast — Tricky Dogs — 
 Methods of Capture — Carioles and Sleds Reloaded — Trains 
 
 Harnessed — Journay Resumed 210 
 
 9 
 
Contents 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Still on the Way io the Beavers — The Blizzard in the Camp- 
 Sleeping anil Eating under Difficulties — Vicious Little Beaver 
 Dogs — The Beaver House — Preparations for Their Capture — 
 The Beavers' Kitchen — Discovered by the Little Dogs — How 
 Destroyed — The Method of Capture — Man's Experience 
 versus Animal Instinct — The Rich Harvest of Beavers. 228 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Wise Economy of Indian Hunters — Game Never All Killed 
 — Beavers' Tails — The Boys Interested in Them — Preparations 
 for the Return Trip — Loads Packed — Wolverines — Their Cun- 
 ning Theft of Five Beavers — Dogs and Men on Their Trail — 
 Surviving Beavers Already at Work — The Return of the Hunt- 
 ers — Captured Wolverines — ^Journey Resumed — The Camp— 
 The Cry of "Wolves!" 245 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 The Coming Battle with the Wolves — Thorough Prepara- 
 tions — The Cry of the Wolves for Reinforcements — The First 
 Attack and Repulse — Wounded Wolves Devoured — Memotas's 
 Comments — The Second Attack — The Powder Explosions — 
 Final Victory — Dogs Reluctant to Attack Wolves — Explana- 
 tions — Mr. Ross's Story of the Bears Stealing His Pigs — Dogs 
 More Confident in Attacking Bears 259 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 A Bear Hunt in Winter — Mustagan a Famous Indian Guide 
 — Bears' Den — How Discovered — Boys' Perplexity — The 
 Journey to the Den — A Cold Morning — "The Telltale Column 
 of Steam — The Attempt to Dig Down to the Bears — ^Total 
 Failure — Successful Tunneling Operations — Exciting Fight in 
 the Icy Cavern — The Battles Between the Men and Dogs and 
 the Escaping Bears 275 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 The First Signs of Spring— The Eagle Moon— Expressive 
 Indian Names for Some of the Months — Chats Among the 
 Boys About the Phenomena of the North Land — Power of the 
 Frost — Cunning of Animals — Cleverness of the Guides— Invi- 
 
 10 
 
Contents 
 
 tation to a Muskrat IIunt--GIadly Accepted— Habits of These 
 Little Animals — Methods of Capture — Their Many Foes — The 
 Queer Battle Between Wild Cats and Wolverines. . . 397 
 
 CHAPTER XXH. 
 
 Niskepesim, the Goose Moon — Excitement Among the In- 
 dians — The First Goose — Their Northern Migrations — Feeding 
 Grounds — Methods of Hunting Them — Nests — Decoys— Our 
 Boys Off with the Indians — The Shooting Grounds — Thtir 
 Camp — Great Success — Frank's Queer Accident — Hit by a 
 Dead Goose — Sam's Comments — Laden with Spoils. . 312 
 
 CHAPTER XXIIL 
 
 Sudden Transition from Winter to Spring — Interesting 
 Phenomena — Sam's Last Great Run with His Dogs— His 
 Unique Adventure — The Open Water — His Novel Raft— Sus- 
 cessful Crossing — Frank's and Alec's Duck-shooting Trip — 
 The Mighty Nelson — A Hunter's Paradise — Returning Under 
 Difficulties — One More Shot at the Wild Geese — Frank and 
 Alec Both Through the Rotten Ice — The Rescue — Alarming 
 Rumors — The Fair Visitants at Sagasta-weekee. . . 327 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 The Arrival of the Spring Packet — Welcome Letters — Ar- 
 rangements for the Home-flitting — Sam's Raillery — Rachel 
 and Winnie at Sagasta-v/eekee — Happy Hours — Canoeing Ex- 
 cursions — The Cyclone — Young Excursionists Exposed to Its 
 Awful Power — The Narrow Escape — The Refuge of the Rock 
 — Napoleon, the Tame Bear, in Possession — Gun Signals — The 
 Happy Rescue 341 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 Homeward Bound — Farewell to Sagasta-weekee — Old Nor- 
 way House — Sam's Clever Surmisings — A Glad Surprise for 
 Frank and Alec — Sam's Well-deserved Ducking — A Glorious 
 Evening — The Early Call^ust One More Sweet "Good-bye" 
 — "All Aboard !" — On Great Lake Winnipop — Sam's Success- 
 ful Shot at a Bear — Red River — First Glimpse of the Prairies — 
 Fort Garry — The Bells of St. Boniface — The Long Trip Across 
 the Plains— The Exciting Buffalo Hunt— Saint Paul's— Still 
 On by Lakes and Rivers — Montreal — On Board Ship — The 
 Ocean Voyage — Liverpool— Home at Last. . . .361 
 
 II 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 ii 
 
 1 
 
 'if 
 
 FACING 
 PAGE 
 
 The Battle with the Eagle Frontispiece 
 
 Alec's Race with the Wolves 52 
 
 Dog-traveling under Auroral Lights 71 
 
 Very Glorious Was the Scenery loi 
 
 Summer Sunday Trips to Church no 
 
 Churchgoing in Winter 118 
 
 Norway House, the Hudson Bay Company's 
 Trading Post 127 
 
 Alec, Victor in the Dog Race 138 
 
 Paschf Treed by a Moose. . 148 
 
 The Meeting of Kinesasis and Shakoona 161 
 
 A Winter Scene in the Great Lone Land 185 
 
 The Capture of the Beavers 228 
 
 The Last of the Buffalo 245 
 
 Explosions Mingled with Yells of Pain and 
 Terror 259 
 
 The Bear Still Holding On to His Pig 272 
 
 Sam with His Dogs on the Ice Raft 327 
 
 R/chel and Winnie 341 
 
 The Village of Those Noted Warriors of the 
 Plains 361 
 
WINTER ADVENT^^RES OF THREE BOYS 
 
 IN THE 
 
 GREAT LONE LAND 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Sagasta-weekee — A Happy Home in the Great Lone Land — 
 Three Boys There Welcomed — The Sudden Coming of Winter 
 —Various Sports Discussed— Hurrah for the Dogs — Useful 
 Animals — Dog-whips — Kinesasis, the Dog-keeper. 
 
 While a wintry storm was raging outside, in the 
 month of November, three happy, excited boys were 
 gathered around the breakfast table in a cozy home 
 in a far North Land. 
 
 To those who have not read of the previous 
 
 doings of these young lads we would say that our 
 
 heroes were three noble boys from across the sea. 
 
 They had come out the previous summer from Great 
 
 Britain by the Hudson Bay Company's ship and had 
 
 had several months of most delightful and exciting 
 
 adventures in the wild North Land. They were the 
 
 guests of Mr. Ross, a retired official in the Hudson 
 
 Bay Company, who, when his long term of active 
 
 service in the fur trade had ended, had preferred 
 
 remaining in the country rather than returning to 
 
 any other land. During the many years he had 
 
 traded with the Indians he had ever been on the 
 
 most friendly terms with them. He had observed 
 
 so many noble traits and characteristics in them that 
 
 13 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 he and his family preferred spending the greater 
 portion of each year surrounded by them. Then the 
 quiet charm of such a Hfe had more attraction and 
 a greater fascination for them than the rush and 
 worry and demands of our so-called highest civili- 
 zation. 
 
 Mrs. Rgss was a native Indian woman, but, like 
 many other wives of Hudson Bay officials, was a 
 highly educated woman. The years spent in foreign 
 lands at the best of schools had not spoiled her. She 
 was beloved and honored by all who knew her, and 
 she was indeed a benediction and a blessing among 
 the poor of her own people. 
 
 The musical and expressive Indian names of Min- 
 nehaha and Wenonah had been given to the two 
 bright, winsome little girls in the household, while 
 the wee brother was called by the old Scottish name 
 of Roderick. 
 
 Cordially had Mrs. Ross, with her husband, wel- 
 comed the three boys, who at their special request 
 had come out to be their guests, or rather, more cor- 
 rectly, to be loved members of their own household, 
 for at least twelve months in that land. Sagasta- 
 weekee, the house full of sunshine, was the beautiful 
 Indian name given to the cozy, comfortable house 
 which Mr. Ross had built for himself and household. 
 It was a delightful home, well furnished with every- 
 thing essential to the enjoyment and comfort of all 
 its inmates. 
 
 We need not here repeat all that has been pre- 
 viously mentioned about the three heroes of our 
 
 story. Suffice it to say that Frank, the eldest, was 
 
 14 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 the son of an English banker; Alec was a genuine 
 Scottish lad, while Sam was a jolly Irish boy. They 
 had a splendid trip across the ocean, and had met 
 with varied adventures while on the long journey up 
 the rivers and across the portages between York 
 Factory, on the Hudson Bay, where they had landed, 
 and Norway House, where they had been welcomed 
 by Mr. Ross. 
 
 The summer and autumn months had been full of 
 wonderful and exciting trips and adventures. Their 
 last excursion, which had so recently ended, had 
 been one of great pleasure and intense excitement. 
 It had been made in canoes to a distant part of the 
 country where reindeer and other large game 
 abounded. The boys would have been delighted to 
 have there remained longer, but the experienced 
 guide and canoemen had been quick to notice the 
 significant actions of the wild beasts, as well as the 
 frightened cries and incessant flights of the wild 
 geese and ducks to the South Land. 
 
 Spurred on by the signs of coming winter, they 
 had pushed on toward home with unremitting toil 
 and but little rest, and had fortunately managed to 
 land the boys safely at Sagasta-weekee the day be- 
 fore the wintry gale broke upon them. 
 
 Great indeed was the amazement of our three 
 boys at the transformation wrought by this sudden 
 incoming of winter. 
 
 People living in more southern latitudes, where 
 
 the transition from one season to another is so slow 
 
 and almost imperceptible, can hardly realize the sud-^ 
 
 denness with which the Frost King can set up his 
 
 IS 
 
'Vi 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 throne and begin his despotic reign. There are no 
 long premonitions of his coming. No noisy heralds 
 for weeks warn of his approach. The birds and 
 beasts seem to have some mysterious intimations 
 that he draweth near, and act accordingly. But man 
 knoweth not of his approach; he heareth not his 
 stealthy steps. 
 
 Yesterday may have been balmy and reposeful, 
 with only a few breezes from the summer South 
 Land. To-day the wild north winds may howl and 
 shriek, while full of frost and pinching cold is the 
 icy, biting air. Yesterday the waves may have been 
 merrily rippling in the sunshine on the beautiful 
 lakes. To-day, after a night of storm and boreal 
 tempest, the ice is rapidly forming, and is binding 
 down in strongest fetters the highest billows. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ross were much pleased and 
 amused at the genuine excitement of the lads as they 
 realized the wondrous transformation wrought by 
 this first wintry storm, and the possibilities it opened 
 up to them for other kinds of sport than those in 
 which, for some time past, they had been so deeply 
 interested. Eager and excited as they were, they 
 had as yet no definite plan of action for their winter 
 amusement. So sudden had been the transition, 
 there had been no time to think. However, with 
 boyish candor and joyous anticipation, they were all 
 ready with their suggestions. 
 
 "Skates !" shouted Alec, as he caught a glimpse of 
 
 an icy expanse that glittered in the distance as a ray 
 
 oi sunshine shot out through the parting clouds and 
 
 for a moment rested upon it. 
 
 i6 
 
 i|! 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 "Toboggans l" cried Sam, as he saw a steep hill- 
 side one mass of beautiful snow. 
 
 "Let us make an ice boat," said Frank. Although 
 he had never seen one, yet he had eagerly read much 
 about them, and at the sight of the frozen lake was 
 wild to set about the manufacture of one of these 
 dainty craft, that he might enjoy the exhilarating 
 sport he had so long anticipated. 
 
 "Capital suggestions are all of these," said Mr. 
 Ross. "Still, as the ice is not yet twenty-four hours 
 old, and therefore not very safe for skating, and the 
 snow has not yet fallen in sufficient quantity upon 
 the hills to make them smooth enough for toboggan- 
 ing, and the carpenter will require some time to 
 make an ice boat, and we will have six good months 
 ,of winter in which to enjoy these and other sports, 
 jny suggestion is that we get ready to-day to start, 
 as soon as the ice will be safe, for the island fisheries 
 and bring home the dogs." 
 
 "The dogs ! the dogs ! yes, hurrah for the dogs !" 
 cried all the boys in unison. 
 
 So everything was for the moment forgotten, or 
 postponed, in their eager anticipation to become in- 
 timately acquainted with the dogs, about which they 
 had heard so much. During the summer months the 
 dogs were sent away to a distant island, where they 
 were cared for by Kinesasis, a careful old Indian, 
 who with a few nets easily caught all the fish they 
 required for food. This island was quite out of the 
 iroute of travel, and so our young friends had seen 
 hut little of Mr. Ross's dogs, about which many in- 
 teresting stories had been told them. Now at the 
 2 17 
 
St' 
 
 I * 
 
 i 
 
 :H 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 prospect of soon seeing them they were greatly 
 delighted. 
 
 Although so much can be done with dogs in win- 
 ter in those high latitudes, there is practically no use 
 for them in summer. It is true that some enterpris- 
 ing missionaries had used them for plowing up their 
 little potato fields and gardens, and yet it was slow 
 work and not long continued. But through the long 
 winter the dog is practically the only draft animal 
 that can be utilized by the inhabitants of those re- 
 gions. From the far-off forest the wood for fuel is 
 dragged home by the Qogs. The frozen fish, which 
 are caught and piled up on stages beyond the reach 
 of wolves or other wild beas^^s, are drawn home to 
 the villages from the distant ftbheries by the well- 
 trained dogs. 
 
 When a Christian decides to exchange his old 
 wigwam for a house, all the squared timber and logs 
 required in its construction are dragged, if not 
 floated by water in the summer time, it may be 
 several miles, by the dogs. Christian hunters use 
 them to drag home the moose and reindeer or other 
 heavy game they may shoot. Formerly their wives 
 and mothers had to do this heavy work, but now 
 Christianity has relegated this and many other 
 heavy duties to the dogs. 
 
 However, the greatest and most arduous work to 
 which the dogs are put is that of drawing the cari- 
 oles and dog-sleds of travelers and tourists or fur 
 traders for long distances through various parts of 
 that great northern land. Without the dogs, travel- 
 ing in that country would be practicallv impossible in 
 
 i8 
 
 ii 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 the winter months. So full of lakes and rivers is the 
 country that it is possible to go almost anywhere 
 in a birch canoe in summer by making occasional 
 portages. But when the severe cold freezes up those 
 water stretches and the snow lies thick, and there 
 is not the least vestige of a road or trail, then the 
 value and sagacity of the dogs are seen and the 
 power and endurance of the guides and drivers are 
 put to the severest test. 
 
 Mr. Ross still prided himself on his splendid dogs. 
 In his younger days he had the reputation of being 
 one of the most active and energetic of the young 
 officers in the service of the Hudson Bay Company. 
 His father, who was for many years one of the chief 
 factors in the Company's service, was proud of his 
 son's endurance and skill, as well as of his tact and 
 ability in managing strange Indians and thus open- 
 ing up new trading posts among them. So con- 
 stantly employed had he been in thus advancing the 
 interests of this fur-trading corporation that some 
 winters he traveled thousands of miles with his own 
 dog-train and guides. In his wanderings he had 
 met with some strange adventures, and had passed 
 through some trying ordeals. Later on we may 
 hear from his own lips the recital of some of these 
 stirring events. 
 
 Now, however, chat he had retired from active 
 service he had left these long and dangerous jour- 
 neys to be taken by younger men. Still, the love for 
 the dogs was so ingrained within him, and he had 
 so much work for them to do, that he was the pos- 
 sessor of some very valuable trains, which every 
 
 1$ 
 
I 
 
 ^3 
 
 'V- 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 winter di(i his work and gave him as much pleasure 
 as ever a man derived from the possession of a fine 
 carriage and a splendid span of horses. 
 
 Knowing well the habits of the old Indian who 
 had charge of his dogs, Mr. Ross said to the boys : 
 
 "It is very likely that Kinesasis will come in to- 
 day with some of the dogs. If he does we will 
 harness them up to-morrow, and if the ice is strong 
 enough to be safe we will return with them for the 
 others. I understand he has a number of fine young 
 dogs ; doubtless there will be enough to make a good 
 train for each of you, after they are broken in. So 
 there will be plenty of work for all to-day, to get 
 ready for the first day's outing with dog-trains." 
 
 Soon everybody was at work. Indian women, 
 under Mrs. Ross's direction, were busily employed in 
 making large mooseskin moccasins and mittens. 
 Beautiful white blanket overcoats, with warm ca- 
 potes or hoods, had already been made for each of 
 the boys. They were to be worn over the dee-skin 
 suits when they stopped to rest in the heavy trail, 
 and also while the boys were riding over the long 
 stretches of icy roads where it was possible for the 
 dogs to easily draw them. 
 
 While the Indian women were thus busily en- 
 gaged in fitting out the warm apparel necessary for 
 traveling in such a cold land the bc/s were making 
 themselves useful, under Mr. Ross's guidance, in 
 overhauling carioles, dog sleds, harness, robes, 
 snowshoes, and other things essential for the trip 
 on the morrow. While almost everything was novel 
 and strange to them, they were most interested in 
 
 2o 
 
IN THE Great x^one Land 
 
 the heavy dog-whips, and, boyhke, must try their 
 hands in wielding them. These whips differed very 
 much from anything they had ever seen in civiHza- 
 tion. While the handles were only eighteen inches 
 in length, the lashes, which were loaded with shot, 
 were over fifteen feet long. To skillfully handle one 
 requires much care and practice. An inexperienced 
 person is apt to q;et into trouble when he first 
 attempts to use one. 
 
 Sam was the first of the boys to attempt to dis- 
 play his skill, but he soon found that a heavily 
 loaded dog- whip was a different weapon from an 
 Irish shillalah. He had admired the skill and dex- 
 terity with which Mr. Ross, at the boy's request, had 
 used one, and, foolishly thinking that he could suc- 
 cessfully imitate him, had with any amount of 
 assurance made the attempt. To his surprise and 
 chagrin the cracker of the whip, instead of explod- 
 ing with a pistol-«hotlike report at a spot about 
 fifteen feet away, as it had done for Mr. Ross, had 
 by some remarkable movement, entirely unexpected, 
 squarely landed with stinging effect upon his nose! 
 
 Alec was the next to try his skill. He was a little 
 more successful than Sam, in that he escap'^d in- 
 flicting any injury upon himself, but he succeeded in 
 striking Frank upon his ear, although he stood fully 
 six feet away from the spot at which Alec had 
 aimed. Frank, with his ear hot and stinging from 
 the effects of the blow so unexpected and so unin- 
 tentionally given, wisely decided that he would post- 
 pone his first attempt with a weapon that seemed to 
 be as uncertain as a boomerang. 
 
 21 
 
!l ' 
 
 Hi' 
 
 Winter AovENTUREi of Three Boys 
 
 To the great delight of the boys, as Mr. Ross had 
 predicted, toward evening in came Kinesasis with 
 about a dozen dogs at ^* ' els. The splendid ani- 
 mals were delighted to gvi home again after their 
 long summer's outing, and joyously they greeted 
 Mr. Ross and the other inmates of the household. 
 To our three boys, who had arrived since their de- 
 parture, they were somewhat distant and unsociable. 
 It is a well-known fact that the native dogs are much 
 more hostile to white people than to the natives. 
 This offishness and even hostility on the part of the 
 dogs did not much disturb the boys. They, boylike, 
 had all confidence in themselves that by tact and 
 kindness they would soon become warm friends, and 
 in this they were not disappointed. After Kinesasis 
 had seen the dogs well fed and put into their ken- 
 nels he was taken into the kitchen and given a hearty 
 meal. A pipe of tobacco was then put in his hands, 
 and shortly after he had begun to smoke he made 
 his report of his summer's doings to Mr. Ross. 
 
 To the great delight of Frank, Alec, and Sam, 
 Mr. Ross was able to inform them that the number 
 of young dogs of the right age to break into work 
 was so large that he would be able to furnish each of 
 them with a capital train, which they should have 
 charge of and call their own as long as they re- 
 mained in the country. 
 
 The few short hours of sunshine of that Novem- 
 ber day sped away all too soon for the completion 
 of the work to be done, and so by lamplight willing 
 hands toiled on until everything was ready for the 
 journey. So rapidly did the temperature fall, and 
 
 22 
 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 so intense became the cold, that Mr. Ross decided 
 that with careful, experienced Kinesasis as their 
 guide the ice would be quite strong enough to bear 
 them on the morrow, and so if the storm was not too 
 severe they would be off as soon as there was suf- 
 ficient light, as it was too risky to travel in the dark 
 over such thin ice. 
 
 Cozy were the beds and warm were the blankets 
 into which three happy, excited boys tumbled that 
 night, and if in their pleasant dreams there were 
 sounds of cracking whips and jingling, musical dog- 
 bells — well, we will not envy them, still we wish we 
 
 were there. 
 
 23 
 
 < 'C. 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 !f ! 
 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Bringing Home the Dogs — The Thin Ice — Method of Cross- 
 ing Dangerous Places— The Dogs' Summer Home— The 
 Return Trip^The Unexpected Goose Hunt — The Saucy Fox — 
 Kinesasis's Question, *'Why Do the Geese Go to the South 
 Land?" 
 
 Long before daylight the next morning the lamps 
 were brightly burning in Sagasta-weekee. As it 
 was fully twenty miles to the island where Kinesasis 
 had kept the dogs, and Mr. Ross was anxious that 
 they should return home that night, it was abso- 
 lutely necessary that every hour of the daylight 
 should be utilized. Thus it was that all were stir- 
 ring long before daybreak. A good warm break- 
 fast was t.iten and all final preparations made. 
 
 As Kinesasis had brought back with him twelve 
 dogs, they were thus able to rig out three trains for 
 the trip. Extra sleds and harness were taken along, 
 as well as food and blankets, in case any serious 
 accident or delay should happen to them. In such 
 a land it is always best to be prepared for any 
 emergency. 
 
 The boys were very proud and happy in their new 
 mooseskin costumes and snow-white blankets, only 
 relieved by the black stripes on the sleeves and skirts. 
 Kinesasis, who had been on the lookout, at length 
 reported the morning star, just visible as the har- 
 binger of dawn. This was good news, and so the 
 start was soon made. 
 
 Mr. Ross up to a late hour the previous evening 
 
 24 
 
 I ^^i' 
 
IN THE (jREAT LoNE LaND 
 
 s evening 
 
 had not thought of going, but now, at the sight of 
 the dogs and the preparations for the journey, lie 
 seemed to catch the enthusiasm of the boys, as well 
 as the fire of earHer days, and resolved to accompany 
 them. Three Indian dog-drivers had been secured, 
 while Kinesasis, old as he was, was proud to act the 
 part of guide for the whole party. 
 
 Sam shared a large cariole with Mr. Ross, while 
 Frank and Alec occupied another. To each cariole 
 was assigned a careful driver. The third Indian 
 made up his load of several dog-sleds piled on each 
 other. All were well loaded with supplies. Kine- 
 sasis armed himself with a stout pole about ten feet 
 long, which he carried as an Alpine climber would 
 his alpenstock, although it weighed as much as .1 
 dozen of them. The boys were surprised at seeing 
 him thus encumber himself with a pole so heavy. 
 They were also perplexed, when it grew lighter, to 
 see a similar one tied on to the sled of the third 
 driver. However, before the journey was finished 
 they saw the wisdom of his forethought. 
 
 At first some of the dogs seemed to resent the re- 
 straint of the harness, and acted as though they 
 would still have preferred the liberty which had been 
 theirs all through the summer months. Others, 
 however, seemed to be delighted to hear the music 
 of the little open bells with which the collars of their 
 harness were decorated, and joyously barked and 
 jumped about as though, in glad sport, they were 
 dancing to the music they themselves were making. 
 
 The trail selected at once led them out along Jack 
 
 River, and then southwest into Playgreen Lake. 
 
 ^5 
 
fl'l 
 
 ih 
 
 I j^W 
 
 L 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Kinesasis's alert eye was on the ice continually. 
 Now he was glancing at the long stretches before 
 him, and then quickly deciding the best route to fol- 
 low. When this was selected he seemed to critically 
 examine every yard of the ice over which, on his 
 moccasined feet, he so lightly and yet so rapidly 
 glided. His constant alertness was absolutely neces- 
 sary; for while the ice was apparently strong enough 
 to be safe, yet when ice freezes up thus rapidly air 
 holes frequently abound, which may be so thinly 
 coated over that none but an experienced eye can 
 detect them. They are very treacherous, as the ice, 
 which to any ordinary observer may appear safe, 
 may not be a quarter of an inch in thickness, and so 
 the unfortunate person stepping on one may sud- 
 denly drop out of sight. 
 
 The rate at which Kinesasis led the party was 
 about five miles an hour. To do this he kept up a 
 swinging jog trot, and was ever on the alert for 
 danger. Mr. Ross, whose cariole immediately fol- 
 lowed the guide, well knowing that there was a cer- 
 tain spice of danger associated with a trip like this 
 so soon after the ice had formed, also kept con- 
 stantly on the alert, as his long years in such kind 
 of traveling made him almost equal to an Indian in 
 this respect. After traveling for ten miles they 
 reached a spot where one of the great currents of the 
 mighty Nelson River, from Lake Winnipeg, had 
 kept the ice from forming as solidly as where the 
 water was not so rapid in motion. By its ominous 
 bending and cracking under him Kinesasis saw the 
 
 danger and suddenly brought the whole party to a 
 
 a6 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 halt. As the weakness in the ice apparently ex- 
 tended a long way in each direction, it was evident 
 that the party must get across in some way or else 
 return home. The latter idea was not for a moment 
 to be entertained, and so arrangements were at once 
 made for crossing the dangerous place. Thi?3 novel 
 plan was witnessed by the boys with a great deal of 
 interest. At first they wished to jump from the 
 warm fur robes in their carioles, but this Mr. Ross 
 would not hear of. They could be of no service and 
 would only get thoroughly chilled. 
 
 The crossing over the dangerous place was ac- 
 complished in the following manner : Kinesasis first 
 untied the other heavy pole from the dog-sled, and 
 then, advancing to the place where the weak ice 
 began, he carefully laid one of the poles on the poor 
 ice, and using the other as a ropewalker would his 
 balancing pole, he carefully walked out on the one on 
 the ice. Then carefully placing the one in his hand 
 down on the ice, in a straight line before him, he 
 stepped on it and cautiously lifted up the one over 
 which he had just walked. Using this as he had 
 handled the other one, as a balancing pole, he thus 
 went on and on, using his poles alternately, until he 
 reached the strong ice on the other side. Then he 
 returned in the same way and reported to Mr. Ross 
 his opinion, which was that by doubling the under 
 surface of the carioles they could pass over in safety. 
 
 This was quickly done by taking the sleds, vv^hich 
 
 the third Indian driver had in charge, and securely 
 
 lashing them to the sides of the carioles, in such a 
 
 way that the area of surface on the ice would be 
 
 27 
 
ani r i lir tsuuutjioamiamm 
 
 il! 
 
 I' 
 
 'II 
 
 l|« 
 
 III. 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 doubled, and thus the pressure would be only half. 
 As an extra precaution a long rope was tied to the 
 rear of each cariole. Then Kinesasis once more 
 crossed over with his poles to the firm ice. The 
 dogs were put to the gallop, and being urged by 
 those behind, as well as by Kinesasis's well-known 
 voice in front, the dangerous place was passed in 
 safety. 
 
 ''Now I see," said Alec, "the solution of what 
 was bothering me. I wondered how Kinesasis was 
 able to get along over the weak places in the ice yes- 
 terday, but with those poles to help him it is now 
 plain enough." 
 
 "It must require a great deal of practice to do it 
 safely," said Frank. And so in after days he found 
 it out when he made the attempt himself, and in 
 trying to transfer himself from one to the other 
 ignominiously fell off, with such force that he broke 
 through the thin ice. Fortunately he had presence 
 of mind enough to seize hold of one of the poles, 
 which was in such a position that each end rested 
 on the unbroken ice. His frightened shouts soon 
 brought help, and he was quickly rescued. 
 
 Nothing else occurred to cause delay on the route, 
 and so before noon the dogs, excited by the near 
 approach to the spot where they had spent their 
 happy summer, sprang into a gallop and fairly flew 
 over the good ice that was found for the last few 
 miles. Kinesasis and the Indian drivers had all they 
 could do to keep up with them. 
 
 With great delight did the boys spring out of 
 their carioles, and then and there declared that dog 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 traveling was the most exhilarating of sports and 
 the very poetry of motion. Some time later they 
 changed their views. Immediately on their landing 
 they were surrounded by a crowd of dogs of all 
 ages, and doglike they acted. The old fellows that 
 had done good work in other years and were now 
 only kept for drawing wood for the fires, or hay 
 from the distant beaver meadows for the cattle, were 
 dignified and sedate, and yet manifested the greatest 
 affection for their old master, who was kind and 
 gentle to all the animals in his possession. This 
 kindness w^as well repaid by the intelligent obedience 
 they all gave him. Eagerly the boys scanned the 
 young dogs, for from among them, were to be se- 
 lected the promised trains which they were to call 
 their own. 
 
 While the boys were discussing the dogs and indi- 
 cating their preferences old Kinesasis had rekindled 
 the fire in the large wigwam in which he had passed 
 the summer, and, aided by the other Indians of the 
 party, busied himself in preparing the dinner out of 
 the supplies which had been brought along. Never 
 did a dinner seem to taste better than did that one 
 in that leather tent to those boys, who had so en- 
 joyed the exhilarating twenty-mile trip. 
 
 After Mr. Ross, Frank, Sam, and Alec had dined, 
 
 Kinesasis and the Indian dog-drivers soon had a 
 
 hearty dinner, and then, after the inevitable pipes, 
 
 the work of preparation for the return trip speedily 
 
 began. It was the desire of all to reach home before 
 
 dark. To accomplish this would be no easy matter, 
 
 as there were so many untrained dogs. At first it 
 
 29 
 
j »i i »mj ii » i in«in i 
 
 I 
 
 I I 1 
 
 iiii 
 
 !i' 
 
 ,:i:i; 
 
 I 
 
 1; 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 was decided to harness up a number of these, as 
 harness had been brought for the purpose, but after 
 some consultation with Kinesasis about the thin ice 
 Mr. Ross decided against it, thus leaving the young 
 dogs to follow. Only the old dogs were harnessed. 
 This added a couple more trains to the party. The 
 sleds of these were loaded down with the tent, nets, 
 and other things which had made up Kinesasis's out- 
 fit during the summer. 
 
 At length everything was loaded up, and the re- 
 turn trip began. There was some trouble in getting 
 a number of the younger dogs to take to the ice and 
 keep up with the trains; numbers would persist in 
 turning round and hurrying back. 
 
 "We cannot blame them," Sam said afterward, 
 and his Irish oratorv burst forth as he described 
 what had been their happy condition. "Just think," 
 he said, "on that beautiful island in the pleasant 
 springtime they were born. There they have had a 
 happy, careless puppyhood life. There they have 
 spent the pleasant summer time with plenty to eat 
 and nothing to do. On the sandy beaches and over 
 the smooth rocks they have gamboled together, and 
 in the warm, rippling waters they have splashed and 
 battled. Now the cold weather has suddenly cc me 
 and the snow has covered their favorite romping 
 grounds, and even their great bathing places are 
 hard with slippery ice." 
 
 There was, however, but little sentiment in the 
 minds of Mr. Ross and the Indians. On the con- 
 trary, they were very much annoyed at the delay the 
 refractory young dogs were causing, and so had to 
 
 I 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 adopt prompt measures, or they well knew that the 
 night would be upon them ere home was reached. 
 The younger puppies were packed in the carioles 
 around our travelers, and some of the more obsti- 
 nate older ones were led by ropes fastened to their 
 collars and tied to the sleds, while the great major- 
 ity, coaxed by little pieces of meat occasionally 
 dropped on the ice, kept well up to the trains. Thus 
 on they pushed until they reached the rapid current 
 in the lake where the thin ice had given them so 
 much trouble in the morning. Fortunately the ad- 
 ditional hours of bitter cold had so strengthened it 
 that no serious difficulty was anticipated in crossing 
 over, even if the loads were much heavier. 
 
 But another event occurred, quite unexpected, in- 
 deed, and which, while it did much to impede their 
 progress, created a good deal of excitement and in- 
 terest. The first intimation of its coming was the 
 sudden cry of wild geese not very far away. Their 
 "Honk ! honk !" was very distinct, and not only ex- 
 cited the boys, but also the dogs. The loose dogs, 
 in spite of all the calls of the Indians, at once dashed 
 off in the direction from which the loud calls were 
 coming, while the sleigh dogs were almost unman- 
 ageable. Prompt and quick were the men to act. 
 The excited dog-trains were bunched and tied to- 
 gether and left in charge of a couple of Indians, 
 while Mr. Ross and the boys and a couple of Indians 
 went forward to investigate. 
 
 To the right, a couple of hundred yards away, 
 was a rocky island, on one side of which was a reedy 
 marsh. From among the reeds and rushes the loud 
 
 31 
 
r«"* >i»ru»W"'i • >*'Vi»« , '- 
 
 I 
 
 I* 
 
 ift; 
 
 '!|' 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 calls of the geese were coming. Into these plunged 
 the Gogs, while the men and boys climbed up on the 
 rocks where they could overlook the whole spot, 
 which was only of a few acres in extent. The ex- 
 perienced eyes of the Indians took in the whole sit- 
 uation at a glance. The young geese had not been 
 strong enough to fly away to the sunny South Land 
 when the call to go had come, and so the old geese 
 had left them behind to perish. And so now here 
 they were, over twenty of them. A novel goose 
 hunt was organized, and, while the boys looked on, 
 the Indians, with the dogs' help, soon secured quite 
 a numk Some of them were easily killed, as they 
 were securely frozen to the icy reeds. Others rushed 
 about in a vain attempt to escape, but they were so 
 chilled by the cold that they were easily captured. 
 The sleds were piled up with this additional load 
 of geese, and the journey was resumed. 
 
 Later on in the evening the boys heard from 
 Kinesasis more about those young geese and why 
 they were there. They also learned some truths 
 from nature that abode with them for many a day. 
 
 Without much difficulty the dangerous places in 
 Playgreen Lake were passed, and the return run 
 down Jack River was begun. The loose young dogs 
 were pretty well wearied by the long trip and re- 
 quired some coaxing, and even the occasional crack 
 of the whip was necessary to urge them to keep up. 
 It is amazing what a latent amount of strength and 
 speed there is in a tired dog. Here was a striking 
 example of it. While the trains were jogging along, 
 
 and the young dogs with tongues out and tails down 
 
 32 
 
IS THE Great Lone Land 
 
 were wearily following after and looking as though 
 they were deeply hemoaning their lot, suddenly a 
 splendid cross-fox sprang out from the dense forest 
 on one side of the river and deliberately dashed 
 across before the dogs on the frozen ice toward the 
 other shore. All evidence of weariness at once dis- 
 appeared. With a hue and cry that would have done 
 credit to a first-class pack of hounds they were all 
 off, sleigh dogs as well as loose ones. 
 
 The ice was so slippery that it required quite an 
 effort on the part of the drivers of the carioles to 
 control their dogs and get them in line. If the truth 
 must be told, the boys richly enjoyed the short burst 
 of speed and the exciting chase, which ended almost 
 as soon as it began, for Reynard was too much for 
 the young dogs and soon reached the shelter of the 
 wooded shore. 
 
 The beautiful evening stars were shining in the 
 western sky ere the welcome lights in the windows 
 of Sagasta-weekee were seen. A hearty welcome 
 was given to the returning party by Mrs. Ross and 
 the children. All were anxious to hear about the 
 first day's winter outing, and each boy had to give 
 his own version of the day's excitements and 
 pleasures. 
 
 The commodious kennels were soon taken pos- 
 session of by the tired dogs. Indian servants had 
 abundance of fish ready for them, and a watchful 
 oversight was kept upon them that the stronger ones 
 should not rob the weaker or younger ones, a trick, 
 we are sorry to say, of which some dogs are guilty. 
 
 After the hearty supper and prayers were over in 
 3 33 
 
a' 
 
 i ! 
 
 I III' : I 
 
 ■\ I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the dining room, and the younger children had re- 
 tired to rest, Mr. and Mrs. Ross and the hoys went 
 out into the capacious kitchen to hear old Kinesasis 
 give his version of the goose hunt. To please the 
 old man, Mr. Ross filled a beautiful calumet and pre- 
 sented it to him as a gift, in addition to his wages, 
 for his thoughtful care of the dogs while under his 
 charge at the island. For some minutes he smoked 
 his new pipe in silence. Indians are the least de- 
 monstrative people in the world, and Kinesasis was 
 one of them. He was never known to say "Thank 
 you" in his life, and yet none could be more grateful 
 or pleased than he to have his faithful services thus 
 recognized. Mr. Ross thoroughly understood him, 
 and the grateful look in his expressive eyes as he 
 received the pipe from Mr. Ross's hand was all that 
 was expected or that would be received. Without 
 one word of reference to the pipe, Kinesasis began 
 about the wild geese. Here is his story, which was 
 a sort of monologue. He said : 
 
 "I have been much thinking about it, and I feel 
 that it is my fault that the young geese could not go 
 south with the old ones when the call came in the 
 voice of the North Wind that it was time to go. I 
 well remember that last spring, when in the big boat 
 I carried the dogs out to the island, we saw some 
 geese flying around that island where we caught 
 the young ones to-day. We could not get a shot at 
 the old geese then, they were so wary, but we pulled 
 ashore, and there among the rushes we found some 
 nests full of eggs. Of course, we took the eggs and 
 
 ate them. No doubt those old geese when they re- 
 
 34 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 turned, after we had gone, were very angry at our 
 taking the eggs, but they were not discouraged, and 
 so they went to work and filled up their nests with 
 another setting of eggs and hatched them out. But 
 they had lost a full month of time, and there was 
 not enough warm weather left for these broods of 
 young geese to grow strong to rise up in the air 
 when the call came to fly away to the South Land." 
 
 For a few minutes he puffed away vigorously at 
 his calumet, and then continuing his story said: 
 "Wild geese are strange things. I have hid myself 
 from them and watched them years ago, when they 
 were more plentiful and hatched their young at 
 many places around our lakes and rivers here. Then 
 we had only bows and arrows, and so did not kill as 
 many as we do now. Their greatest enemies were 
 the foxes, but no fox would dare attack a goose on 
 her nest or a brood of young ones if the old gander 
 were around. One blow of his powerful wing would 
 kill any fox. I have found dead foxes that have 
 thus been killed." 
 
 Then, looking up, the old Indian said, in a voice 
 that showed he was deeply impressed by what he 
 was uttering: "There was always some strange 
 mystery about their call to go south and their leav- 
 ing. To-day they would be acting as though they 
 would be intending to stay with us all the time. 
 They were all very quiet and only busy in getting 
 their food, while the old ones were alert against 
 their enemies, and would even risk their lives to de- 
 fend their young ones. Then to-morrow would 
 come, and there was such a change in them. They 
 
 35 
 
^ 1 
 
 1 1 ' 
 
 r 
 
 1 
 
 i' 
 
 j 
 
 t 
 
 
 1 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 were all so excited and noisy; their cries filled the 
 
 air. The old ones would stretch their wings and 
 
 circle round and round in the air alxjut their young 
 
 ones and encourage them to follow. Soon all of 
 
 them would rise up and up, and, starting away for 
 
 the South Land, we would see them no more that 
 
 year. And yet not all, for sometimes there were 
 
 late broods, like the one we found to-day. They 
 
 came too late to be strong enough to fly. They 
 
 could not go, and here is the mystery to me. Why 
 
 was it that the parent geese, that yesterday would 
 
 risk their lives in fighting against wild animals to 
 
 save their young, would to-day, when the call came 
 
 to go, leave their young broods behind them to 
 
 perish? They all did it. Never was an old goose 
 
 known to stay behind when the call came. That 
 
 voice was louder and stronger than was even the 
 
 love for their offspring. Can any of you tell old 
 
 Kinesasis why it is so?" 
 
 36 
 
 \i 
 
 \.t 
 
 
 III 
 
IN THE GUKAT LONE LaND 
 
 ClIAriER III. 
 
 SdcTting Their Dogs— Various Methods of Breaking Them 
 1,1 — Frank's Success by Kindness with Monarch — Sam's 
 Troubles with Spitfire — Conquered at Last — Training and Cap- 
 turing Dogs with Dogs — Alec's Train of Part Staghounds. 
 
 With this question of the old Indian ringing in 
 their ears the party in the kitclien broke up. and as the 
 day had been a long one they all soon retired to rest. 
 
 The boys were more than delighted wiih the day's 
 experience, and were full of joyful anticipation for 
 the morrow, for then it was that they were to select 
 the dogs that were to constitute their own trains and 
 at once to begin the work of breaking them in. So 
 long and soundly did they sleep the next morning 
 that the second breakfast bell was ringing when they 
 awoke, and so they had but little time in which to 
 dress ere breakfast was served. However, to their 
 joy they found that others had also overslept them- 
 selves. Even Mr. Ross himself, who was one of 
 these, declared that the capital outing of the previous 
 day had done him a great deal of good, as he had not 
 slept so well for a long time. 
 
 The events of yesterday and the anticipations of 
 the present day were discussed with great animation. 
 The boys were questioned as to the style and disposi- 
 tion of the dogs they each desired and the methods 
 they intended to pursue in their training. Frank 
 wanted his to be strong and powerful, able to carry 
 him over any difficult place and able to draw any 
 reasonable load assigned him. Alec's ambition was 
 
riMiiflil 
 
 HMBM 
 
 WiNTKH AnVIiNTUKKS OK TlIUKIC BoYS 
 
 for a swift train, that he might have all the fun and 
 excitement of rapid traveling. 
 
 "All right," said Sam, "but give me the darlings 
 with any amount of mischief and tricks in them. 
 Those are the dogs for me !*' 
 
 A hearty laugh from all greeted Sam's queer v/ish. 
 
 "I think, as regards the tricks, we can easily satisfy 
 you," said Mr. Ross. "And it will be amusing to see 
 how a young Irish gentleman can circumvent them; 
 for you will find out, before you get through with 
 them, that tricky dogs are not only very clever, but 
 very provoking, in some of their deeds." 
 
 Mr. Ross had been very careful for years in the se- 
 lection and breeding of his dogs. There is as much 
 difference between good and bad dogs as there is be- 
 tween high-spirited horses and miserably lazy ones. 
 The hardy Eskimo was still the prevailing element in 
 his dogs. There were, however, many crosses with 
 some of the finest breeds of civilization, such as the 
 English mastiff, the Newfoundland, and the large 
 Scottish staghound. Dogs .ire considered old enough 
 to be broken to harness when they have reached their 
 ninth month. They should not, however, be ex- 
 pected, no matter how willing, to draw very heavy 
 loads until they are considerably older. They are 
 much more easily trained when young, and are not so 
 apt to be sullen and ugly as are dogs which are only 
 broken in after they have reached the age of two or 
 three years. 
 
 Soon after breakfast and prayers an early visit was 
 
 made to the kennels. The boys were desirous of 
 
 having the pleasure that morning of giving the dogs 
 
 38 
 
IN TiiK Gui:at Lonk Land 
 
 tlicir breakfast. They were very imidi surprised, 
 liowcver, when infornicd that the dogs were only fed 
 once a day, and that that one meal was given to them 
 in the evening, when their day's work was done. 
 This information at first aronsed t'^eir sympathies 
 for the dogs, Init after some experience they found 
 out that tliey could not only do much better work on 
 one good meal a day, but were always in much better 
 health. 
 
 Some dogs submit readily to the harness and never 
 give any trouble; others are very obstinate and will 
 take any amount of whipping before they will sur- 
 render. Some that seem docile and afifectionate 
 before being harnessed, when they find themselves 
 collared and strapped, develop the ferocity of wolves 
 and make the most desperate efforts, not only to get 
 loose, but to attack their own masters. Mr. Ross 
 had, after some discussion with the boys, promised 
 them the privilege to do the breaking in of their own 
 dogs, provided the animals did not develop too ob- 
 stinate dispositions, which would require a good deal 
 of punishment ere they would submit. Generally this 
 work was done by the Indian servants, as many kind- 
 hearted masters cannot bear to inflict the punishment 
 themselves, which seems to be necessary for some 
 dogs to receive ere their wills are conquered. 
 
 Several methods are used in breaking in young 
 dogs. Some trainers securely harness them up and 
 fasten them to a sled, then vigorously, by voice and 
 whip, keep at them until they yield and do what is 
 ^ demanded of them. They must at the first harness- 
 ing be so securely fastened that they cannot possibly 
 
 .39 
 
t 
 
 ■I l.ill 
 
 
 I If 
 
 IIP 
 
 ' !i 
 
 'i\ ; 
 
 f 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ill any way squeeze or pull themselves out from the 
 harness. Nearly all dogs at first make desperate 
 efforts to escape. If they once succeed in doing so, 
 during the process of training, they are never abso- 
 lutely reliable afterward. They will occasionally try 
 to repeat the experiment of squeezing themselves 
 loose, and may do it at a critical place on a long 
 journey, and thus cause annoyance and delay. 
 
 One of Mr. Ross's methods, which he now sug- 
 gested to the boys, was to have an old train of four 
 steady dogs harnessed up in tandem style and one of 
 the young dogs, which was to be broken in, har- 
 nessed in between the third and fourth dog of the 
 train. Frank was given the first selection. He 
 chose a large, powerful dog that seemed to be part 
 mastiff and part Newfoundland. He had a fine head 
 and kindly eyes. Frank, who was a great lover of 
 dogs, and knowing much about them, had taken the 
 precaution to make a visit to the kitchen, and now, 
 with his outer pockets supplied with broken bits of 
 meat and buns, he began the work of making friends 
 with this big, burly young dog, which was hi^ first 
 choice. The fact that only in the evening were they 
 supposed to be fed was quietly ignored by Frank 
 just now. 
 
 Kinesasis called him Ookemou. This Frank 
 translated into Monarch, and by this name he was 
 always called. Frank began his approaches by a 
 liberal use of the contents of his pockets, and who 
 ever knew a young dog proof against such ?n argu- 
 ment? Growing dogs are always hungry, and will 
 
 take kindly to anyone who will stuff them. The 
 
 40 
 
 lit ii 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Indian servants speedily had a train of old dogs 
 ready, with a vacant harness placed as we have de- 
 scribed. Into it Monarch willingly allowed himself 
 to be harnessed by Frank. The whole train was 
 then fastened to a dog-sled, and the woid "Marche !" 
 was shouted by the driver. The well-trained dogs 
 at once responded and started off, and as long as 
 Frank ran by the side of Monarch the young dog did 
 very well, but when he dropped behind and sprang 
 on the sled wath the Indian driver Monarch also 
 made an effort to do likewise. This, however, he 
 found to be an impossible feat, as the three strong 
 dogs before him kept him on the move, and so he 
 was obliged to proceed, which he did very unwill- 
 ingly. Frank shouted to him to go on. This, how- 
 ever, was a great mistake, as the dog, at once recog- 
 nizing his voice, and not knowing as yet the meaning 
 of "Go on," would much rather have come back to 
 the one who had so thoroughly won his friendship. 
 Seeing him beginning to act ugly and obstinate, the 
 Indian driver drew his heavy dog-whip and was 
 about to strike him. This Frank hotly resented, and 
 so the Indian quickly recoiled his whip and quietly 
 waited to see w^hat the young wdiite master wanted 
 to do. Frank's quick intellect w^as at work. He 
 was a wide-awake, kindly lad, with a love for as well 
 as a knowledge of dogs, and so when he saw this 
 young dog so resolutely pull back at the sound of his 
 voice, thus showing that he would rather come to- 
 ward him than run from him, he instantly made up 
 his mind that he could be broken in by kindness and 
 
 persuasion. Quickly he resolved upon his own plan 
 
 41 
 
It 
 
 s 
 
 f 
 
 il 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 of action. Ordering the Indian driver to stop the 
 train, Frank speedily ran to Mr. Ross with an urgent 
 request for another train of old dogs. Mr. Ross, 
 who was at once interested by the intense earnestness 
 of the lad, speedily granted him his request, although 
 as yet he could not understand the reason why two 
 trains were desired, where one was generally con- 
 sidered sufficient. 
 
 Very quickly did willing hands harness up a train 
 of old dogs and attach them to a dog-sled. 
 
 "Now," said Frank to the driver of them, "you 
 drive on ahead of that other train and let me ride 
 w4th you." 
 
 Orders having been given to the driver of the 
 train in which Monarch was harnessed to follow 
 after, Frank, who was now on ahead and in plain 
 sight, began calling to his dog to follow. To this 
 call he at once responded, and as the train in which 
 he was harnessed was allowed to come alongside of 
 the first Monarch was rewarded by receiving from 
 his master's hands some dainty bits of meat. There 
 was no trouble with him after this. No matter how 
 fast the first train was now driven, with head and 
 tail up, on came Monarch, with as much vim and 
 dash as the best of the old dogs with which he was 
 harnessed. When it was thought that he had had 
 enough exercise for that day, and as they were about 
 two miles from home, they rested for a few mo- 
 ments, during which Frank spoke kindly to his dog 
 and fed him with the remaining pieces of meat. Be- 
 fore leaving he gave orders to the driver of the train 
 
 in which Monarch was harnessed to wait until he 
 
 42 
 
 i:! 
 
i Boys 
 
 - to stop the 
 ith an urgent 
 Mr. Ross, 
 e earnestness 
 est, although 
 3on why two 
 enerally con- 
 
 jss up a train 
 
 ed. 
 
 f them, "you 
 
 1 let me ride 
 
 Iriver of the 
 ied to follow 
 and in plain 
 3w. To this 
 rain in which 
 alongside of 
 ceiving from 
 neat. There 
 matter how 
 ith head and 
 uch vim and 
 vhich he was 
 : he had had 
 y were about 
 a few mo- 
 ly to his dog 
 f meat. Be- 
 r of the train 
 A^ait until he 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 and the other train would have time to reach home. 
 Monarch, as he saw the other train leaving, became 
 very much excited and was eager to follow. He 
 was, however, restrained by the driver, as were the 
 other dogs. All sleigh dogs of any spirit hate to be 
 thus left behind, and so when the word "Marche!" 
 was uttered they sprang forward with a will, Mon- 
 arch being as eager as any of them. 
 
 In the meantime, when Frank with the one train 
 of old dogs returned to Sagasta-weekee, he was met 
 with laughter and quizzing remarks from both Alec 
 and Sam. Coming as he did without his young 
 dog, they could only imagine that he had met with 
 complete failure and had given up the business in 
 disgust. Mr. Ross, however, older and more expe- 
 rienced, after one searching glance in Frank's 
 triumphant, satisfied face, surmised something bet- 
 ter, and so was prepared for the lad's triumph, which 
 soon came. 
 
 Frank very good-naturedly took the guying of his 
 comrades, but his eyes were along the trail made by 
 the sled from which he had just alighted. Keen 
 was his vision then, and alert his eye, and so when 
 the coming train was still far away he knew by their 
 rapid pace that he had triumphed. Turning to Mr. 
 Ross, he triumphantly exclaimed : 
 
 "There they come, and Monarch as eager as any 
 of them, and no whip has ever touched his back, or 
 ever will." 
 
 It did not take the rapidly advancing train long to 
 
 reach the now interested group of spectators. 
 
 Frank's triumph was complete. None could have 
 
 43 
 
l! 
 
 't 
 
 U 
 
 ; k 
 
 '^ I 
 
 ■ J- '» 
 
 li' ^! 
 
 l;li 
 
 l!j| r 
 
 '! ! 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Imagined that the finest-looking dog in that train, 
 that bore himself so proudly, had that day for the 
 first time ever had a collar on his neck. Yet such 
 was the case, and as Frank petted and unharnessed 
 him warm and sincere were Mr. Ross's congratula- 
 tions. 
 
 From that day forward Monarch was a model 
 sleigh dog, and never failed to respond to the voice 
 of his new master, whose kindly tact had saved him 
 from the lash. 
 
 There was still time before lunch for another ex- 
 periment or two, and so Alec suggested that Sam, 
 who wanted dogs full of fun and tricks, should make 
 the next choice. 
 
 Sam, nothing loath, selected a handsomely built 
 dog with the queerest combination of colors. He 
 had a bright, mischievous-looking eye, and it was 
 evident that he had a good opinion of himself. His 
 small, erect, pointed ears, his foxlike muzzle, and 
 his ct-rly, bushy tail told that there was a good deal 
 of the Eskimo in him, and therefore until better ac- 
 quainted with the paleface he would not have much 
 love for him. Sam soon found this out. At Mr. 
 Ross's request Kinesasis skillfully threw a lasso over 
 him and brought him out of the kennels. This un- 
 dignified procedure considerably ruffled his temper, 
 and so when Sam, in sweet simplicity, took up a 
 harness and endeavored to put it on him the dog 
 viciously sprang at him and buried his teeth in the 
 heavy moose-skin mitten of the hand which Sam was 
 fortunately able to quickly throw up, thus saving 
 
 his face from injury. Mr. Ross and others sprang 
 
 44 
 
i'S 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 it train, 
 for the 
 ^et such 
 irnessed 
 gratula- 
 
 i model 
 le voice 
 ^ed him 
 
 ther ex- 
 it Sam, 
 Id make 
 
 ly built 
 rs. He 
 
 it was 
 f. His 
 le, and 
 od deal 
 tter ac- 
 e much 
 At Mr. 
 so over 
 his un- 
 temper, 
 k up a 
 he dog 
 [ in the 
 im was 
 
 saving 
 sprang 
 
 forward to help the lad, but Sam's Irish was up, and 
 as the lasso was still upon the dog's neck, and his 
 teeth had only cut through the tough leather without 
 injuring his hand, he cried : 
 
 "Please let me have the satisfaction of conquering 
 him alone." 
 
 Suddenly throwing himself forward, Sam seized 
 hold of the lasso, and, tightening it abouc the dog's 
 neck, he quickly tangled him up in the loose coils 
 and managed to throw him on the snowy ground. 
 Seizing the harness, he dropped down upon the 
 f : cited, half-choked animal, and, guarding his iiands 
 against his snappy teeth, he managed to get the collar 
 over his head. But the work was not yet completed, 
 and Mr. Ross, seeing the danger the boy was in of 
 being badly bitten by the now furious animal, or- 
 dered a couple of Indian men to his assistance. He 
 highly complimented Sam, and said that in getting 
 the collar on such a dog he had succeeded well. The 
 Indians cautiously but quickly muzzled the dog, and 
 then, letting him get up, they fini:'ied Sam's work 
 of harnessing him. The next thing was to get him 
 into the train with the other dogs, and this provec to 
 be no easy matter. 
 
 'Give him a name," said Alec. 
 
 'Spitfire !" shouted out Sam, and by this name he 
 was ever after known. 
 
 He seemed to have an idea that his personal liberty 
 was being interfered with, and so he resisted every- 
 thing done by Sam or the dog-drivers. When by 
 main force he was placed in position and the traces 
 were fastened he made most violent attempts to es- 
 
 4S 
 
 tit 
 
 <(( 
 
 M 
 
 1 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 i \ 
 
 cape. He struggled first to one side and then to the 
 other in his frantic efforts. Then he tried to crawl 
 under and then over the dog in front of him. Failing 
 in this, he suddenly sprang forward with such force 
 that he managed to seize hold of the short, stumpy- 
 tail of the dog in front of him. This was an 
 unfortunate move on his part, as the dogs that are 
 accustomed to work together will readily fight for 
 each other when one is in trouble. So before Sam 
 or the Indians could interfere, if they had been so 
 disposed, the dogs ahead of Spitfire, hearing the cry 
 of pain from their comrade, quickly turned upon him 
 and gave him a thorough shaking. When the In- 
 dians thought he had had enough they interfered, 
 and once more straightened out the dogs. 
 
 Spitfire was most decidedly a saddei ^^ not a wiser, 
 dog as the result of his rashness. But, poor fellow, 
 his troubles were not yet over, for the old sleigh dog 
 behind him was also indignant at the attack upon the 
 tail of his old comrade, and so he was also resolved 
 to mete out some punishment to the rash young 
 offender. This was just what the Indians wanted, 
 and so, telling Sam to jump on the sled with them, 
 they shouted, "Marche !" to the head dogs, while the 
 old fellow behind sprang at Spitfire. 
 
 At first the young fellow, seeing that he could 
 not get away, had resolved to balk, but when the big 
 dog with fierce growls made his desperate efforts to 
 seize hold of him he was glad to spring as far away 
 as his traces would permit. The result was that be- 
 fore he knew what he was about he was rapidly gal- 
 loping in unison with the rest of the train. Sam 
 
 46 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 kept him at it until he was so tired that all the venom 
 and fight were worked out of him. If for an instant 
 he tried to act ugly or break loose, all Sam had to do 
 was to call on the sleigh dog to attack him. This 
 was quite sufficient and Spitfire surrendered to the 
 inevitable, and in less than three hours had well 
 learned his first lesson. 
 
 To conquer the dog's repugnance to Sam, and to 
 make them fast friends, Mr. Ross had him, when 
 taken out of the harness, fastened up in a dark root 
 cellar without any supper. The next day Sam went 
 in to bring him out, but was met only with savage 
 growls. 
 
 **A11 right," said Mr. Ross, "it seems hard on you 
 for the present, but it will be better for you in the 
 end;" and so the heavy door was shut, and Spitfire 
 had another twenty-four hours in solitude and quiet 
 to ponder over his ways. The next day, as directed 
 by Mr. Ross, in whom he had all confidence, Sam 
 suddenly threw open the door, and, while the dog 
 was still blinking in the sudden sunshine that poured 
 in, Sam without any hesitancy or fear strode in and, 
 unchaining him, led him out and up to an abundant 
 supply of food and drink. 
 
 Spitfire was conquered, and from that day he and 
 Sam were the best of friends. A few more lessons 
 in the harness, with a growling, cross sleigh dog 
 behind him, made him one of the best and fleetest of 
 the train. 
 
 Sam, who was quick to utilize a good thing when 
 he observed it, saw in this dislike of this old sleigh 
 dog to having fresh young dogs ahead of him just 
 
M.I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the assistance he needed; and so, although he se- 
 lected three other dogs, that at first were aljout as 
 ugly and intractable as Spitfire had been, he was able 
 in this way to subdue them all with firmness and 
 patience, and he not only made them his affectionate 
 friends, but he became the master of one of the most 
 spirited trains in the country. They were obedient 
 and quick to respond to Sam's calls upon them, but 
 woe to anyone else who tried to drive them when the 
 spirit of mischief or contrariness which was in them 
 showed itself. 
 
 Alec had stated that he wanted a swift train for 
 the fun and excitement of fast traveling. It was 
 fortunate for him that Mr. Ross had some young 
 dogs with a large strain of the Scottish staghound in 
 them. The pure staghounds are unable to stand the 
 severe cold of the long winters, but the mixed breeds 
 at Sagasta-weekee, while retaining much of the 
 speed of the staghound, had a rich, warm coating of 
 fur-like hair. Still, they enjoyed a warm blanket 
 when the weather was very severe. The young, 
 untrained ones were very wild, and when Kinesasis 
 attempted to bring out from the kennels a beautiful 
 one that he had lassoed, and which Alec had fancied, 
 the frightened, agile creature jerked the lasso out of 
 his hands, scaled the walls, and dashed away over 
 the snowy fields. To have followed him would have 
 been absurd, as the frightened dog if pursued would 
 have continued his flight until he had reached the 
 distant island wdiere he had spent the summer. 
 Kinesasis knew a better plan than that, and so he 
 
 quickly let loose about a half dozen sagacious old 
 
 48 
 
IN TiiK Great Lone Land 
 
 dogs, trained by him for such work, and (luietly told 
 them to go ont and bring that young wanderer back. 
 Tlie frightened dog, after running several hundred 
 yards, when he saw that he was not being followed, 
 slackened his pace and more leisurely continued his 
 journey. He would, however, frequently stop and 
 look about him, and especially back toward the place 
 he had so abruptly left. 
 
 Soon he saw the dogs that Kinesasis had sent out, 
 and that were now gamboling and playing with each 
 other. He was attracted by the sight, and stopped 
 his flight to watch them. They were apparently not 
 noticing him in their sporting with each other, but 
 they were nevertheless drawing nearer to him. At 
 first he was inclined to be suspicious of them, but this 
 soon left him, and he seemed to become pleased to 
 greet them, as doubtless he had already begun to feel 
 lonesome, for the dog is indeed a social animal. 
 When once he was thrown off his guard it was not 
 long ere the trailing lasso was seized by the teeth of 
 a couple of the most sagacious dogs, who imme- 
 diately started on the return trip. The rest of the 
 dogs followed growling in the rear of the runaway. 
 When necessary they used their teeth upon him, and 
 so they soon brought him, cowed and submissive, to 
 the hands of Kinesasis. 
 
 Tame elephants take great delight in helping to 
 
 capture and subdue wild ones, but not greater is their 
 
 satisfaction at their successful work than is that of 
 
 old dogs who are trained to it when they have a 
 
 share in the capturing or breaking in of obstinate, 
 
 refractory dogs. 
 
 4 49 
 
 'N 
 
 1^ II 
 
 'h . 
 
 ! I! 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 II 
 
 • i 
 
 1 
 
 ) 
 
 ■ 
 ( 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 
 i i 
 
 1). 
 
 The boys enthusiastically expressed their surprise 
 as well as admiration at this wonderful cleverness on 
 the [jart of these trained dogs in capturing the 
 runaway. They were also amused at their evident 
 delight at the success of their efforts. 
 
 "Yes," said Mr. Ross, "and if that young dog had 
 been able to elude them, either by keeping out 
 of their reach, in the first place, or by slipping the 
 lasso over his head and thus escaping from them, and 
 tlicy had had to return without him, they would have 
 been thoroughly ashamed of themselves, and would 
 have skulked off to their kennels." 
 
 "I have read," said Frank, "that that is the way 
 the St. Bernard dogs in the Alps act if they are 
 unsuccessful in bringing any belated or lost traveler 
 back to the monastery, when they are sent out by the 
 monks to search for any in distress. They are very 
 proud if they succeed, but if they fail to find anyone 
 they skulk back ashamed of themselves and sulk in 
 their kennels for a couple of days, or even longer." 
 
 Alec, taking advantage of the methods adopted 
 by both Frank and Sam, and other plans suggested 
 by Mr. Ross, at length succeeded in breaking in his 
 four dogs. He had the misfortune to have one of 
 them, on account of his small head, squeeze himself 
 out of his harness and escape. Great difficulty was 
 experienced in capturing him, and then even when 
 conquered he at times gave endless trouble by slip- 
 ping his collar and skulking in the rear. 
 
 Another of his dogs, when being broken in, made 
 
 the most desperate efforts to cut himself loose with 
 
 his teeth. He ruined in this way some valuable har- 
 
 50 
 
YS 
 
 surprise 
 mess on 
 ing the 
 evident 
 
 log had 
 ng out 
 ing the 
 jm, and 
 Id have 
 v^ould 
 
 lie way 
 ley are 
 raveler 
 by the 
 'e very 
 inyone 
 3ulk in 
 ger." 
 dopted 
 gested 
 in his 
 one of 
 imself 
 y was 
 when 
 i slip- 
 made 
 : with 
 e har- 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ness, and several times cut the traces of the dogs in 
 front of him. Having exhausted the patience of 
 Alec, he received a first-class whipping ere he 
 stopped trying these tricks. 
 
 In about a month the dogs were thoroughly trained 
 and seasoned to their work. France clung to Mon- 
 arch as his favorite, while Sam and Spitfire were 
 ahnost insepara])le. Alec, true to the romantic love 
 of his country, made the runaway his favorite and 
 called him Bruce. His other three he named Wal- 
 lace, Gelert, and Lome. 
 
 SI 
 
 i 
 
 
 t^ 
 
WiNTKR Adventures of Three Roys 
 
 
 CilAl'TKR IV. 
 
 Numerous Dogs — Useful Animals — Food Supply — Frozen 
 Fish — Bringing Them Home — Vigorous Work for Boys and 
 Dogs — Frank's Tumble — Sam's Ducking — Skating Parties — 
 Alec's Thrilling Adventure — The Race for Life — Northern 
 Gray Wolves — Their Cunning — Their Various Stratagems — 
 Mr. Ross's Fears — The Search Party— Alec Rescued — The 
 Wolves Shot. 
 
 It may seem strange to some of our readers that 
 such numhers of dogs were kept by Mr. Ross. It 
 must be remembered that they were, in those re- 
 gions, the only animals in those days that were of 
 any use to man. 
 
 So abundant were the fish that the dogs were kept 
 with little expense. The lakes and rivers so swarmed 
 with them that a few gill nets and an Indian could 
 easily take care of a large number of dogs during the 
 summer months. For the winter supply an immense 
 number of whitefish were caught just as the winter 
 was setting in. These fish were hung up on high 
 stagings beyond the reach of wolves and stray, 
 prowling dogs. So intense and steady was the frost 
 that the fish, which immediately froze solid after 
 being hung up, remained in that condition until well 
 on into the next April. Such a thing as the tem- 
 perature rising high enough to even soften the fish 
 was almost unknown. The result was the fish were 
 kept by this great preservative, the intense frost, in 
 prime condition for both the people and the dogs. 
 On account of their abundance, and the ease with 
 
 5-2 
 
vinter 
 high 
 
 stray, 
 
 frost 
 
 after 
 
 well 
 
 tem- 
 
 e fish 
 
 > 
 
 Xi 
 
 (2 
 
 
 II I 
 
 i; 
 
 with 
 
ii 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 which they could be obtained, tliey were for many 
 years the principal article of food. 
 
 The Indians take but little care of their dogs in 
 the summer time; they literally have to fish for 
 themselves, and very clever are some of them at it. 
 So abundant are the fish, and so clever are the dogs 
 in capturing several varieties that haunt the marshes 
 and shallows along the shores, that the dogs easily 
 secure sufficient numbers to sustain life and even 
 grow fat upon. On these fishing excursions the 
 Indian dogs often wander over a hundred miles 
 away from the wigwams of their masters, and are 
 gone for months together. 
 
 While quantities of fish were being caught during 
 every month of the year — for even in the coldest 
 parts of the winter they could be caught through 
 holes in the ice — yet the actual fall fishery season 
 only lasted a few weeks. On this fishery everybody 
 depended for their principal winter supply. It gen- 
 erally began a short time before the ice set, and con- 
 tinued about as long after. The fish, which were 
 principally whitefish, were all caught in gill nets. 
 When brought ashore they were stabbed through 
 the flesh near the tail. Through this incision a 
 sharp-pointed stick was inserted. Ten were always 
 thus hung up on each stick, with their he^ds hanging 
 down. While still warm a single slash of a sharp 
 knife v^as given to each fish between the gills. This 
 caused what little blood there was in them to drip 
 out, and thus materially added to the quality of the 
 fish, and also helped in its preservation. 
 
 The work of bringing these thousands of fish 
 
 S3 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 home was done by the dog-trains. It is heavy work, 
 as each train of four dogs was expected to draw 
 twenty sticks of fish at each load. However, the 
 track was generally all ice, and so it was much easier 
 than traveling in a forest trail in the deep snow. 
 Six hundred pounds are considered a good load for 
 four dogs on ordinary trails. 
 
 As Mr. Ross's fishermen had hung up about fifty 
 thousand fish, besides packing a large number of the 
 finest ones in ice or snow, there was considerable 
 work for the trains in dragging them home. The 
 work is so steady that it is considered capital train- 
 ing for young dogs. Of course, they are not at first 
 given as heavy loads as are the old trains. The boys 
 were allowed to go with their trains about three 
 times a week. This was quite sufficient for them, 
 for, although they rode on the empty sleds, wrapped 
 in a buffalo skin, on the outward trip to the fishery 
 camp, yet they felt in honor bound to imitate the 
 Indian drivers of the older trains, and walk, or 
 rather trot, as much as they could on the return with 
 their heavy loads. 
 
 The kind-hearted Indians, while admiring the 
 pluck of the boys when, on the first trip, they urged 
 for heavier loads, wisely and firmly insisted that 
 they should take light ones to begin with. 
 
 ''This is only fun," said Alec, "just running on 
 the ice. I have walked all day in the Highlands, and 
 was all right the next day. I want a full load, for I 
 intend to run the whole distance on the home 
 stretch." 
 
 ''Twenty miles on ice, with some slipping and 
 
 54 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 and 
 
 falling and managing a lively dog-train, will seem a 
 long journey ere it is ended," said Mustagan, a 
 grand old Indian who that year had charge of the 
 work of bringing home the fish. 
 
 Frank thought that with his strong dogs he could 
 take more than Sam or Alec, but even to this Mus- 
 tagan objected. 
 
 "Yes," he said, "fine big dogs, but very young, 
 bones still soft. Big loads by and by, but not now." 
 
 "I wish we had brought our skates," said Sam, 
 "and then we would have had no trouble in making 
 the twenty miles." This, it was unanimously agreed, 
 was a capital suggestion, and one that would be car- 
 ried out on future trips. 
 
 So in the mean-time they decided to carry out 
 Mustagan's request and only take light loads. The 
 wisdom of this was seen before they had gone many 
 miles. The gait at which the old, experienced dogs 
 struck out, and which was kept up by the drivers, 
 as well as by the dog-trains of the boys, was alto- 
 gether too rapid for them. 
 
 Very gamely they kept up the pace for four or five 
 miles, when Mustagan called a halt for ihe first pipe. 
 His observant eyes had been on the boys, and while 
 he was pleased with their pluck, he was too wise to> 
 allow them to injure themselves ; so, taking the mat- 
 ter into his own hands, he so arranged the sticks of 
 fish on their sleds that, with the aid of the buffalo 
 skins, he made for each a comfortable seat. It is 
 not surprising that the boys were willing to accept 
 of the situation, and, while on the remainder of the 
 trip they rode a good deal, they often sprang off and, 
 
Winter y\DVENTURES of Three Boys 
 
 M 
 
 by the vigorous exercises of keeping up with the 
 Indians on their famous jog trot, kept themselves 
 warm, and also put in a good deal of training to fit 
 them for longer journeys. 
 
 On future trips to the fisheries, as long as the ice 
 kept free of snow, they carried with them their 
 skates, and not only oii the home trip wi h loaded 
 sleds, but even on the outward journey, did they 
 have some capital sport. Alec especially was a 
 splendid skater. Com;'ng from Scotland, where they 
 had so much more ice than there was in England or 
 Ireland, he had had greater opportunities for be- 
 coming an adept in this exhilarating sport. He was 
 very much amused at the temper and annoyance of 
 his dogs when, on a fine stretch of smooth ice, he 
 would dash away from them at a rate which it was 
 impossible for them to keep up. They would make 
 the most desperate efforts to travel as fast as he did. 
 When they realized the impossibility of doing this, 
 hampered as they were by their heavy load, they 
 would at times set up a most dismal cry that was 
 a cross between a bark and a howl. At other times 
 some of the dogs would think that one of the 
 train was shirking his work, and then they would 
 unmercifully pile on him and give him a sound 
 thrashing. 
 
 Well was it for Alec that he had these splendid 
 skating trips ; unconsciously was he preparing for a 
 race for his life. 
 
 On one of these home trips Frank, while sitting 
 
 on his load, wrapped up in his buffalo robe, went 
 
 to sleep. He was all right while the sled was going 
 
 s6 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 along in a straight trail, but at one place the road 
 turned at a sharp angle, and here he had a sudden 
 awakening. The ice was firm and the dogs were 
 going at a good speed. When they reached the sharp 
 turn the sled slid around at a great rate, and poor 
 Frank, who like the other boys had when awake 
 securely hung on to the straps on other trips, was 
 now so fast asleep that nhen the sled flew around 
 he was sent in the air at a tangent, and then went 
 sprawling on the ice quite a number of yards away. 
 He was well shaken up and badly bruised. After 
 that he took good care to take his naps on the sleds 
 in less dangerous places. 
 
 Sam had a worse adventure than that. One day, 
 while running behind and driving his train and 
 cheerily talking to his dogs, he had the misfortune 
 to step through the thin ice into an air hole. He 
 fortunately had presence of mind enough to throw 
 out his arms, and so, as the hole was a small one, he 
 only went in up to his armpits. That, however, was 
 quite enough, as the temperature was many degrees 
 below zero. Lie was speedily pulled out and cared 
 for by the Indian drivers. They quickly threw all 
 the fish from Alec's sled, and, taking the three buf- 
 falo robes which the boys were accustomed to use 
 on the outward trips, carefully wrapped Sam in 
 them, and securely tied him on it. Then they said : 
 
 "Now, Master Alec, here is your chance to show 
 the speed of your dogs. Hang on securely yourself, 
 and see how quickly you can make the ten-mile trip 
 from here to Sagasta-weekee." 
 
 Alec needed no other incentive than the desire to 
 
 57 
 
 H 
 
:i \ 
 
 I: 
 
 
 i; 
 
 Wintp:r Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 get his beloved Sam home as quickly as possible. 
 The boys all dearly loved each other, and a serious 
 accident to one gave sorrow to the other two. The 
 cold was intense, and it was necessary that Sam 
 should be taken home as speedily as possible. The 
 weight of the two boys was but little to the active- 
 spirited dogs, and so when the sharp cracks of the 
 whip sounded around them, but not on them, and the 
 urgent cries of "Marche! Marche!" with unusual 
 emphasis kept ringing out from the lips of their 
 master, they seemed at once to realize that some- 
 thing unusual was the matter ; and as it was also on 
 the home stretch, away they flew at a rate that soon 
 left the heavily loaded sleds far behind. 
 
 In less than an hour's time the distance was 
 covered. Sam was soon in the hands of loving, ex- 
 perienced friends who knew just what to do, and so 
 in a day or two he was out again, none the worse for 
 his adventure. 
 
 The skating was simply perfect. Just fancy miles 
 
 and miles of ice, smooth a^ glass and stretching out 
 
 over lake and river in every direction; no pent-up 
 
 little pond or skating rink where in a few hours the 
 
 ice is ruined by the crowd or melted by the rising 
 
 temperature. Here were great lakes and rivers of 
 
 it that lasted for months. Lakes full of beautiful 
 
 islands, whose shores not long ago were lapped by 
 
 the murmuring, laughing waves, are now gripped, 
 
 as in fetters of steel, by the Frost King. In and out 
 
 among them glide the merry skaters. Everybody 'n 
 
 that land big enough skated, and skated well. 
 
 Jolly parties from the fur-trading posts and mis- 
 
 S8 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 was 
 
 sion home joined with others in making merry 
 groups, who for hours at a time engaged in this joy- 
 ous and exhilarating sport. Sometimes several 
 young gentlemen in the service of the Hudson Bay 
 Company would come over from the fort and join 
 them in their moonlight excursions. So glorious 
 were the surroundings, and so exhilarating the 
 sport, that the nights would be far spent ere they 
 thought of returning home. 
 
 There seemed a strange fascination in seeking out 
 new places and exploring untried branches of the 
 great rivers, which seemed like streams of molten 
 silver in the bright moonlight as they stretched away 
 into primitive forests, where the trees on the shores 
 hung heavy with icicles, or were so bent under the 
 weight of snow that, at times, they looked like 
 ghostly visitants from dreamland. 
 
 As the days passed on these skating excursions 
 were much more extended, and as tne skaters began 
 to get familiar with the difterent routes the vigilance 
 which was at first kept •up, that none might go 
 astray, was much relaxed. When there were any 
 indications of a storm or blizzard it was well under- 
 stood that no skater was to go out alone, and even 
 then not beyond some well-defined landmarks. 
 However, when the weather seemed settled, and the 
 sun shone brightly by day and the moonlight was 
 clear and beautiful at night, no positive restraint 
 was upon anyone. Thus, day after day, they mer- 
 rily skated in little groups or in pairs as they desired! 
 Sometimes one would dash of¥ alone, and for hours 
 
 amidst the weird, picturesque surroundings, such as 
 
 59 
 
 if 
 
IH 
 
 '^15 
 
 
 W 
 
 ^ ll'ii 
 
 
 i I 
 
 I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 a skater alone can find in such a land, would, in the 
 very intoxication of his bliss, push on and on, with- 
 out any idea of the progress of time or of the dis- 
 tance he was traveling. 
 
 To Alec, the Scottish lad, there came one beauti- 
 ful moonlight night an experience which nearly had 
 a tragic ending. The night was one of rarest 
 beauty, but it was very cold, so cold that Mr. Ross 
 remarked that the moon looked more like burnished 
 steel than silver. As the merry party started out he 
 warned them to keep their furs well around them 
 or severe frostbites would be theirs, in spite of the 
 vigorous exercise of rapid skating. 
 
 The company of half a dozen or so kept together 
 for a time, and then, in joyous rivalry, shot out and 
 in along the icy stretches between the granite, fir- 
 clad islands that on that lake were so numerous. As 
 further they advanced they became more and more 
 separated, until Alec found himself alone with a 
 young clerk from the trading post, who prided him- 
 self on his skill and speed as a skater. He had been 
 considered the champion the previous winter, and 
 naturally wished to retain his laurels. Finding him- 
 self alone with Alec, whom he thought but a novice 
 compared to himself, he endeavored to show off his 
 speed, but was very much annoyed and chagrined to 
 find that, skate as rapidly as he would, the Scottish 
 lad kept alongside and merrily laughed and chatted 
 as on they sped. Ruffled and angry at being so easily 
 matched by Alec, the clerk abruptly turned around 
 and skated back. Alec was at first a little hurt bv 
 
 this discourteous action, but this feeling quickly 
 
 60 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 wore off as on and on he skated, fairly entranced by 
 the beauty of his surroundings and the excitement 
 of his sport. After a time he noticed that the lake 
 was abruptly ending. Just as he was about to circle 
 around and begin the return journey he saw the 
 mouth of a beautiful little ice-covered river which 
 ran up into the forest. The ice looked so smooth 
 and was so transparent, as there it lay in the beauti- 
 ful moonlight, and he was so fascinated by the sight, 
 that he could not resist the impulse to dash in upon 
 it. On and on he glided, on what seemed to him 
 the most perfect ice that skater ever tried. He did 
 not appear to observe that this glassy, winding river, 
 on which he ,vas so joyously skating, was gradually 
 narrowing, until he observed the great branches of 
 some high trees meeting together and cutting off the 
 bright moonlight. Skating under these great shad- 
 owy branches, with the glinting moonlight here and 
 there in great patches of white upon the ice, alter- 
 nating with the shadows, was a new experience, and 
 very much did he revel in it, when 
 
 What sound was that? 
 
 It must have been only the falling of some drift 
 of snow from an overloaded branch, or a broken 
 branch itself, and so, although Alec was startled at 
 hearing any sound amidst these almost noiseless 
 solitudes, he soon recovered his spirits and dashed 
 on along the narrowing, crooked stream ; but — there 
 it is again ! And now as Alec quickly turns his head 
 and looks he sees what blanches his face for an in- 
 stant and shows him the peril of his position. Four 
 
 great northern gray wolves are skulking through 
 
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 V 
 
 i 
 
 Winter .Xdventures of Three Boys 
 
 the sinjw on tlie shore, and already their eyes are 
 gleaming in triumph, and their mouths are watering 
 for their prey. Quick as a flash he turns, and so do 
 they. Well is it now that the sturdy lad, on his 
 native lochs in Scottish winters, had practiced every 
 movement, and had become an adept in twisting and 
 rapid turning on his skates. He will need it all to- 
 night, as well as the hardened muscles of his vig- 
 orous sports since he came to this wild North Land ; 
 for the wolves will not easily be balked in their 
 efiforts to capture and then devour. The very fact 
 of there being four of them seemed at first in his 
 favor, as the instant thiy turned they appeared to 
 get in each other's way. In the brief delay thus 
 caused Alec was away and was increasing his speed 
 every instant. But he is not to be let off so easily. 
 Looking behind, he sees that two are coming on in 
 their long, galloping, speedy way. Where are the 
 other two ? Soon enough will he know. 
 
 As we have stated, this little river was very 
 crooked. The cunning wolves well knew this, and 
 so a couple of them made a short cut through the 
 woods, to intercept their prey at a spot ahead of him. 
 As an inspiration, the quick-witted lad took in the 
 situation. He had heard much already about the 
 cunning of these gray wolves in hunting in relays 
 the moose and other species of deer, and by having 
 some of their numbers sent on ahead or stationed in 
 narrow defiles to intercept their prey. So, suspect- 
 ing the trap being laid for him, he made up his mind, 
 if possible, to reach that danger point before those 
 wolves. It was a long sweep around, like a horse- 
 
 62 
 
IN THE Grkat Lone Land 
 
 shoe, and he had to make the whole distance round, 
 while they had but to cross the tongue of land. He 
 had to traverse at least twice the distance that the 
 wolves had to go, but then he had the advantage in 
 being on the ice, while they had to loup through the 
 snow. Still, there were no risks to be taken. For 
 an instant the thoughts came, as he heard the faint 
 thud, thud on the ice of the fleet wolves behind him : 
 What if anything should happen to my skates? Or 
 if I should get in a crack in the ice? But he quickly 
 banished these thoughts as unworthy. He had all 
 confidence in the splendid skates on his feet, and saw 
 with delight that he was emerging from the last 
 place where the trees entirely hid the bright moon- 
 light. Every crack and dangerous place could now 
 be easily seen and guarded against. 
 
 On and on he fairly flew. The wolves, in spite of 
 their desperate efforts to keep up, were being left 
 further and further behind. At this Alec rejoiced ; 
 but his heart fairly jumped, and fear for an instant 
 again seized him, as there sud'lenly burst upon his 
 ears the blood-curdling bowlings of many wolve<?. 
 It was begun by those in the rear. It was answered 
 by others that seemed ahead of him, It was re- 
 echoed back by others that appeared to be further 
 off. Looking back, he observed that the tw^o that 
 had been following him, when they had finished 
 their how^lings, suddenly disappeared in the forest, 
 evidently bent upon some new plan of attack. 
 
 No wonder that the plucky lad felt that this was a 
 
 crisis in his life, and that if ever he had his wits 
 
 about him they were needed now. As the result of 
 
 63 
 
 M 
 
V 
 
 i 
 
 W iNTiiK Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 his early teachings, and the memory of his godly 
 mother, there sprang from his heart and lips a whis- 
 pered prayer: "God of my mother, rememher her 
 hoy to-night ;" and he felt that he was not forgotten. 
 
 Like as with fresh soldiers on the hattle field, so 
 now, that the first terror had come and gone, a 
 «trange spirit of exhilaration came to him, and 
 seemed to nerve him for the race. He had no 
 weapon with him, not even a stick in his hand. His 
 wits, his skates, and his powers of endurance must 
 he his reliance in this unique encounter. As well 
 as he could he endeavored to recall the different 
 windings in the river, and the places where he was 
 likely to be attacked later on, if he escaped the spot 
 where he felt sure the next effort would be made by 
 his cunning foes. 
 
 Rapidly as he was skating, his quick eye caught 
 sight of two of his foes. They were crouching to- 
 gether on a snow-covered rock that almost overhung 
 the edge of the stream where it was narrowest. To 
 endeavor to escape by such fierce brutes, now so 
 aroused by having once missed him, would have 
 been madness. To have retreated would have been 
 certain death. Quick as a flash came the ruse to 
 Alec. Dashing up, with a shout that was a chal- 
 lenge, he made as though he were going to fly by, 
 but the instant before he reached the spot where his 
 quick eye saw they would spring upon him he 
 whirled upon the heels of his skates. That instant 
 they sprang upon the spot where their instinct told 
 them he ought to have been. He was not there, 
 
 however, but a few yards in the rear; so they missed 
 
 64 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 him, and with the inoinentiini of their spring went 
 sprawHng out on the smooth ice. Another turn on 
 the skates, as quick as the first, and Alec was by 
 them er. they could recover themselves. Thor- 
 oughly baffled and furious, they were speedily in 
 pursuit, and it required all of Alec's effort to much 
 increase the distance between them and himself. 
 Several times they cut across short necks of the little 
 river, and once so near did they get that the snap- 
 pings of their terrible teeth were distinctly heard. 
 One long stretch more, then a double twist, like the 
 letter S in the river, and he would reach the lake. 
 
 Alec was heated now; his clothes were wet with 
 perspiration, in spite of the bitter cold. That some 
 wolves were ahead of him he was certain. Home 
 was far away. The other skaters had long since 
 returned from their outings. Around the great 
 blazing fireplace Mr. Ross had more than once said : 
 
 "I am sorry that Alec has remained out so late." 
 
 Unknown to the rest of the family, some hunters 
 had reported to him that already tracks of wolves 
 had been seen in the hunting grounds not many 
 miles away. These brutes are always very vicious 
 in the beginning of winter. Their summer supplies 
 of food are cut off, and the deer have not yet begun 
 to run and thus leave their tracks in the woods. 
 When another hour had passed on Mr. Ross could 
 stand it no longer, and earnestly exclaimed: 
 
 "Who saw Alec last?" 
 
 The young clerk who had been last seen with him, 
 and who had not as yet returned to his trading post, 
 said: 
 
 » «» 
 
/ ^ 
 
 N 
 
 ii> 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 "I left him near the other side of the lake." 
 
 Mr. Ross was indignant, but there was now no 
 time for anything but action. Short and stern were 
 his orders. Alec must be sought after at once. 
 Hastily rousing up three trusty Indian servants, he 
 and they were soon out on the lake. All were on 
 skates and armed with guns. A few dogs were al- 
 lowed to accompany them, among them being Alec's 
 train. Mr. Ross wisely judged that if they once 
 struck his tracks, such was the love they had for 
 him, they would soon find him, even if he had 
 become bewildered and lost his bearings. So, while 
 Alec was still in danger, help was coming. 
 
 Fortunately for him, the river was wider now, 
 and his eyes were so alert that he could detect his 
 foes, even when quite a distance from them. He 
 was thus able to see through the disguise of a couple 
 of them that lay crouching out on the ice, trying to 
 look like the little piles of snow that the eddying 
 winds had gathered. Still, although he saw them, 
 and by another clever ruse flew by them, yet so 
 close were they to him, when they sprang at him, 
 that some of the froth from the mouth of one of 
 them fell upon him. 
 
 To his surprise, these two did not long follow 
 
 him, but sprang into the gloom of the forest and 
 
 disappeared. In the last half of the S-like river Alec 
 
 was now speeding. He felt confident that if he 
 
 could once reach the lake he would be able by speed, 
 
 and perhaps some quick dodging, to elude them ; but 
 
 this lastf portion of the crooked river troubled him, 
 
 and made him doubly cautious. 
 
 66 
 
 M 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 There is need for it all, for look ! There are now 
 not less than a dozen of them, and they are so 
 arranged on the ice and on the shore that there is 
 apparently no escape. Those strange howlings, so 
 blood-ci?'*dling and so weird, which the first pair of 
 wolves uttered were understood by others, and here 
 they are, ready and eager to join in the attack and to 
 divide the prey. 
 
 They seem so confident now, and so loudly do 
 they howl that the great high rocks echo back the 
 doleful music. To Alec it was now the martial 
 music that only sharpened his faculties and made 
 him more cautious and more brave. Boldly skating 
 up to them, he suddenly turned, when almost in their 
 clutches, and instantly started back up the river as 
 rapidly as he could skate. On and on he fairly flew, 
 until, owing to the bend in the river, he was com- 
 pletely out of their sight. Then skating near to one 
 of the shores he pushed on a couple of hundred 
 yards or so. Crossing over to the other side, he 
 quickly turned to a spot where, sheltered by a large 
 tree, he was securely hid in the deep shadow, which 
 was in sharp contrast to the bright moonlight near 
 him. In this retreat he had not long to wait ere he 
 saw the wolves, evidently disconcerted, but coming 
 on his trail. They were stretched out quite apart 
 from each other, and covered such a distance that he 
 saw that those in front would be doubling back on 
 him ere all haci passed. However, he was confident 
 that so suddenly could he dash out that, bv skillful 
 dodging on the glassy ice, where the wolves would 
 
 not have much of a foothold, he could elude them. 
 
 67 
 
N 
 
 1*1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 It was a trying moment for the boy, as on the op- 
 posite side of the tree, whicn rose up directly out of 
 the ice, he heard the measured steps and even the 
 heavy breathings of the cruel monsters, not fifty 
 yards away. Fortunately, there was no wind to 
 carry the scent from him to them, and so they did 
 not detect his stratagem. When about half of them 
 had passed, with a dash and a shout he was off. So 
 completely taken by surprise were they that those 
 nearest to him made no attempt to stop him. The 
 two or three in the rear savagely tried to block his 
 way and sprang at him, but signally failed to reach 
 him, as Alec skillfully skated round them and sped 
 onward toward the lake. Furious indeed were those 
 that had passed him and felt themselves robbed of 
 their victim. Outwitted were they all, but not yet 
 discouraged. Wolves can run with great swiftness 
 on the smoothest ice, and although, as we have seen, 
 they cannot turn quickly, and can be dodged by a 
 clever skater, yet for a straight go-ahead pace they 
 are not to be despised by the swiftest runner. Then 
 their powers of endurance are very great, and so it 
 was evident to Alec that they were resolved, by grim 
 endurance, to run him down. 
 
 Firmly convinced that there were none ahead of 
 him, and that it was now to be a long race, he wisely 
 resolved not to so force himself that he could not, if 
 need be, keep up a good rate of speed all the way to 
 the abode of Mr. Ross. It did not take him long to 
 again reach the river mouth, and as he flew past the 
 spot wlrere, a few minutes before, his enemies had 
 
 waited for him he could not but see the sagacity 
 
 68 
 
 i ' 
 
 > I 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 seen, 
 
 with which they had selected the place. He was 
 grateful for his deliverance thus far, but he knew 
 that there was no time for investigation, for the 
 yelps and howlings distinctly heard told him that 
 his foes were hot on his trail and not far behind. 
 
 Out on the lake he dashed, and still on they came. 
 Alec is hot and excited now. The strain on him is 
 beginning to tell, and he feels it. He knows that 
 he could put on a desperate spurt and get far ahead, 
 but would they not, with that long, steady louping 
 of theirs, gradually creep up again, and, finding him 
 about exhausted, make a desperate spurt, and thus 
 run him down? But he is resolved to succeed, and 
 so he nerves himself and carefully speeds along, 
 while perhaps not five hundred yards behind are 
 those merciless pursuers that will not be shaken off. 
 In this way about ten miles are passed since the 
 mouth of the river was left. Still on and on they 
 come. The moon is now sinking low, and the 
 shadows are weird and ghostly. Auroras, phantom- 
 like, flit in the northern sky, while some of them 
 seem like frightoied spirits flying before avenging 
 enemies. The sight is depressing to Alec, and so he 
 turns his eyes from beholding them while still on he 
 speeds. 
 
 Hark! What is that? It is like the bark of a 
 dog that is instantly hushed. To Alec it seemed a 
 dream or an illusion ; and yet he could not help put- 
 ting on a spurt of speed and veering a little out of 
 his course to see the rocky islands, surrounded by 
 the smooth ice, from which the dog's barl^eemed to 
 come. As !ie swiftly dashed along, how suddenly all 
 
 69 
 
■fPj$i^' ' 
 
 
 i 
 
 'if 
 
 'n 
 
 iC 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 things changed to him, and quick and swift was his 
 dehverance. There was Mr. Ross with his three 
 Indians and a number of dogs. 
 
 Alec was saved. He had fairly run into his de- 
 liverers. But no time was to be lost. Fortunately, 
 a high rocky island for a moment hid the wolves, 
 that were now following whohy by the scent. 
 
 With their double-barreled guns, loaaed with 
 balls, the three Indians rapidly scaled the rocky isle, 
 on the opposite side of which they would be hid and 
 yet within easy range of the wolves as they came 
 along on Alec's trail. Mr. Ross and Alec had all 
 they could do to quiet the dogs and keep them still, 
 as some of them were eager to follow the Indians. 
 Only a few minutes elapsed, as Alec's spurt had only 
 put hmi a half a mile or so ahead of the wolves, 
 when the guns rang out once, and then again as the 
 second barrels were fired. Let loose the dogs now, 
 and let everyone shout for the rescue and the vic- 
 tory! Five wolves were killed outright, and one 
 was so badly wounded that the dogs soon ran him 
 down and dispatched him. The other wolves turned 
 and fled. ^ir. Ross would not, at that hour, allow 
 any pursuit of them. 
 
 The morning star was shining ere home was 
 
 reached, and Alec was the hero of the hour. 
 
 .70 
 
vas his 
 5 three 
 
 his de- 
 nately, 
 A^olves, 
 
 I with 
 ky isle, 
 lid and 
 r came 
 lad all 
 
 II still, 
 idians. 
 id only 
 volves, 
 
 as the 
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 ld one 
 in him 
 turned 
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 i ■« 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Invitation to the Indian School Examination and Sports 
 — Trapping Experiences — The Cunning Cross-fox — Frank 
 Seeking Aid from Memotas — Method of Successful Trap-set- 
 ting — Joyous Trip to the Mission — An Abiding Christian Civ- 
 ilization for the Indians — Sam's and a Young Indian's Novel 
 Hunting Methods — Wild Cats Captured — The Queer Battle 
 Between a Fox and a Wild Cat. 
 
 When the boys returned home from a splendid 
 outing on their skates they were greeted by Mr. 
 Hurlburt, the missionary from* the Indian Mission, 
 who cordially invited them all to the half-yearly ex- 
 aminations at the school, which were to be held the 
 Friday before Christmas in the forenoon, and then 
 would follow the usual games among the Indian 
 boys in the afternoon. 
 
 The boys soon found that Mr. Ross and the mis- 
 sionary had been long discussing the matter, but had 
 as yet come to no decision as to the different games 
 in which the white boys might, if they so desired, 
 compete with the Indian lads. 
 
 Alec, of course, wanted to enter for the dog- race 
 and the skating. Frank wanted to try his skill with 
 the snowshoes, but Sam gravely shook his head and 
 said he feared he would be lonesome ere the race 
 ended. 
 
 "Well, what will you enter for?" said Frank, as 
 
 he turned to Sam after this sally, which had set 
 
 everybody laughing. 
 
 71 
 
 I; 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 "Indeed I don't know, unless it should be tobog- 
 ganing," he repHed. 
 
 This also caused a good deal of amusement, as 
 Sam's efforts in this line thus far had not been much 
 of a success. He had caused a good deal of fun and 
 some excitement by the extraordinary way in which 
 his toboggan had several times shot out of the regu- 
 lar route an ' -^ mt off on some erratic lines, perfectly 
 oblivious to ^ ill-rests of life and limb. He had 
 one strong character'. tic : he would hang on no 
 matter which way or to what place his toboggan, 
 under his erratic steering, flew with him. Once, in 
 the middle of a hill, it shot off at a tangent and ra-i 
 over an Indian woman. So unexpected was the 
 attack, so deep was the drift into which she was 
 hurled, and so rapidly did the flying toboggan get 
 out of sight, that the poor, superstitious old woman 
 ever after declared that it could have been no other 
 than the Muche Manetoo, the Evil One, that struck 
 her. 
 
 As a couple of weeks would elapse ere the day for 
 the examinations and "Sports would arrive, the matter 
 was left in abeyance as to the sports in which the 
 boys should enter. A cordial acceptance of the 
 invitation was of course intimated. 
 
 In talking the matter over afterward it was de- 
 cided that only in one race or sport should each of 
 the white boys enter. The number was limited as 
 the Indian boys were numerous, and it might per- 
 haps cause jealousies. So it was finally decided that 
 Alec should try with his dogs in the four-dog race, 
 
 Frank should be a competitor in the skating match, 
 
 72 - 
 
 
 );■ 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 and Sam, with Spitfire, should contend in the one- 
 dog race, or else enter in the skating backward 
 contest. 
 
 From knowing the skill of the Indian boys in 
 everything else, Mr. Ross felt that in these selected 
 were their only chances of success. Of course, it 
 was felt that Alec should have been in the skating 
 contest, but as it was essential that each owner 
 should drive his own dogs, and Alee had such con- 
 fidence in his now splendid team and ^ as so proud 
 of them, he decided in favor of his dogs. 
 
 Mr. Ross's advice to them all was tO keep them- 
 selves in good trim for any sudden emergency that 
 might turn up, especially if it should happen that the 
 young gentlemen in the Hudson Jay Company's 
 service should decide to compete, or should them- 
 selves challenge them. 
 
 Full of most exhilarating sport as had been the 
 bright sunny days since winter had set in nearly two 
 months before this, the incentive of the coming races 
 gave a new zest to their sports and pastimes, and so 
 there was snowshoeing by day as well as rapid dog- 
 traveling under auroral lights by night. 
 
 Among other things, it was arranged with 
 
 Memotas that, as his hunting grounds began not 
 
 many miles away from the place where Sagasta- 
 
 weekee was built, the boys should have the privilege 
 
 of hunting in all that section of the country under 
 
 his guidance when necessary, and as much alone as 
 
 they desired. Mr. Ross secured for them about a 
 
 dozen steel traps apiece, and either he or Memotas 
 
 instructed the lads in the methods of setting them for 
 
 7i 
 
 ■i\' 
 
 ■mri 
 
|l< ! 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the different fur-bearing animals, such as mink, 
 marten, otter, wild cat, and especially for the dif- 
 ferent varieties of foxes that were so abundant in 
 those regions. In addition to this they were taught 
 how to make the spring snares of fine twine for 
 rabbits and partridges. Thus they learned much 
 of the habits and instincts of various animals, and 
 were delighted and j^rofited by these lessons learned 
 out in the school of nature, amidst such favorable 
 surroundings. 
 
 When the boys saw the great number of tracks of 
 the various wild animals that so speedily packed 
 down the snow in runs in various directions through 
 the forests, they were sanguine that great success 
 would attend their hunting efforts. But as they 
 drove in day after day with nothing more valuable 
 than some rabl)its or a few ptarmigan, or some other 
 kind of partridges, they were half-discouraged, and 
 told Mr. Ross .they were surprised at their poor 
 success. 
 
 Frank was especially mortified at his ill success. 
 
 He had for days set his trap for a beautiful cross-fox 
 
 that he had once or twice seen. Nearly every day 
 
 he found his traps sprung and the bait gone. That 
 
 it was the same fox Frank discovered by the fact 
 
 that he had lost part of one of his hind feet. This 
 
 Mr. Ross said doubtless happened long ago in the 
 
 trap of some hunter. The fox had not been quick 
 
 enough to spring away, and had thus been caught 
 
 by part of his foot. If it were in the winter time 
 
 when he was thus caught he doubtless ate the part 
 
 of the foot that was held in the teeth of the trap 
 
 74 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ime 
 part 
 trap 
 
 without feeli'ig any sensation of pain, as the cold 
 would quickly freeze it solid. If he were caught in 
 the summer time he would use the most desperate 
 efforts to pull himself loose ere he would use his 
 teeth, and then, of course, he would suffer much in 
 the operation. Hence in the winter time a fox, as a 
 general thing, if only caught by one foot, cuts him- 
 self off in a few hours, hut in summer time he has 
 been known to remain in a couple of days. Indians 
 often talk of clever three-legged foxes in the 
 woods. 
 
 One pleasant day Frank persuaded Memotas to go 
 out with him a;id help him set his traps for that old 
 fox that had so long tantalized him by his tricks and 
 was getting fat on his bait. This the old man did 
 with pleasure, for he had become very much attached 
 to Frank. When they reached the place, to which 
 they had come on Frank's dog-sled, the Indian very 
 carefully examined the region around for quite a 
 distance. He told Frank where the fox's den was, 
 and said that now that he had become so well 
 acquainted with Frank perhaps a stranger might get 
 hold of him. He asked Frank to show him how he 
 had generally set his traps that had been so uncer- 
 emoniously sprung and robbed of the bait. This 
 Frank proceeded to do, and, as he thought, very 
 quickly and cleverly sprung back and baited them. 
 Memotas watched him go through all the process, 
 and then rather coolly took him down by saying : 
 
 "Good trap, well set, plenty of bait; might perhaps 
 catch a puppy or old crow, but never fox." 
 
 This seemed rather rough on Frank, and he was 
 
 75 
 

 i 
 
 (Qa 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 glad that Sam was not there to improve the occasion 
 with some further caustic remarks. 
 
 When the Indian saw that Frank seemed so crest- 
 fallen at his comments he at once hastened to assure 
 him that they all had to learn much about these 
 animals, and now he said : 
 
 "You and I will go to work and see if wc cannot 
 get that fox in a trap again, even if his half foot tells 
 us he has been there before." 
 
 The first thing they did was to decide where to set 
 the traps. 
 
 "Not much hurry, though, about that," said Me- 
 motas. "We must first have a fire to burn all of 
 Frank off the traps." 
 
 This was a bit of a puzzle to Frank at first, but 
 when Memotas told Frank that every time he 
 handled a trap or a bit of bait he left enough of 
 himself on it for the fox to know all that he 
 wanted to about him it was more unintelligible than 
 ever. 
 
 At a spot about a couple of hundred yards away 
 from where the traps were to be set a fire was built. 
 When it was brightly burning Memotas cut a long 
 pole, and then, springing or setting the trap, had 
 Frank fasten a good-sized piece of meat as bait 
 securely on with a fine wire. 
 
 "Now," said Memotas, as he carefully lifted up 
 the set trap on the end of his pole, "we will burn old 
 Injun and Frank off that trap and bait." 
 
 Then he held the trap in the fire until the meat 
 
 fairly sizzled and the steel trap was quite hot. 
 
 "Guess all Injun and Frank now have gone up in 
 
 76 
 
 I 
 
IN THE Grkat Lone Land 
 
 I. 
 
 i 
 
 smoke, so, Mr. Fox, you'll not find us when you 
 come skulking round this trap, anyway." 
 
 The old man chuckled, and Frank now understood 
 what he had meant. 
 * Memotas walked very carefully to within some 
 yards of the spot where he had decided to place the 
 trap. Again addressing Frank, he said: 
 
 "We must not even walk there, for if we did we 
 should leave some more of ourselves through our 
 moccasins, and Mr. Fox would then be too sharp 
 for us." 
 
 Giving Frank the pole with the trap on it to hold 
 for a few minutes, the old man quickly moved back 
 to a spot where some tall, slender live balsams were 
 growing. Cutting one down, he trimmed off all the 
 branches except a mere broomlike tuft at the top, 
 taking care all the time not to touch any of those 
 remaining with his hands. Returning with this 
 long, broomlikc affair, he vigorously used it on a 
 spot some yards away. Then he took the long pole 
 from the hands of Frank, and there in that place, 
 thus brushed out, he carefully and skillfully laid the 
 trap. Then with the long brush he deftly swept 
 back a thin layer of snow over the trap and bait. 
 
 "Now, Frank," he said, *'set the rest of your traps 
 as you have been doing these past days, but do not 
 f o near that one we have just arranged." 
 
 This operation was soon performed by Frank in 
 the different places suggested by Memotas. In 
 carefully investigating these spots the fox would be 
 apt to get caught in the one that had in it, as the old 
 
 fellow put it, "no Frank or no Injun." 
 
 77 
 
-j y^y. H — «*^ 
 
 i 
 
 M 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 By a roundabout route they started for home. At 
 nearly every place where Frank had set his snares 
 for rabbits or partridges he was successful in finding 
 game. At a couple of places the snares themselves 
 were ^^one and the snow was badly trampled down. 
 Here Memotas's knowledge came into play, and he 
 shovyed Frank where a wild cat had seized a rabbit 
 just as it had sprung into the snare, and then both 
 had struggled and the spring pole had been dragged 
 twenty feet or so before the strong twine had been 
 broken. In another place the feathers strewn 
 around showed where a fox had been too quick for 
 Frank and had taken the partridge which had been 
 caught. 
 
 Thus they pushed on, and at length reached home. 
 A good dinner awaited them, and then Frank har- 
 nessed up his dogs again, and, hitching them to a 
 beautifully painted cariole, took Wenonah and 
 Roddy out for a splendid ride. The day was cold 
 but brilliant. The little folks were well wrapped 
 up in their beautiful furs, and so the drive over to 
 the mission and back was much enjoyed. 
 
 At the mission house they went in for a short call 
 
 on the family, where they were always welcome. As 
 
 they could not remain for dinner a five-o'clock tea 
 
 was quickly prepared and much enjoyed. When 
 
 about to begin a great jingling of bells was heard 
 
 outside, and to the delight of all in came Mr. and 
 
 Mrs. Ross, who had been driven over by Alec and 
 
 Sam. It seems the boys had both returned from 
 
 their hunting routes shortly after Frank had left 
 
 with the two children. After a hasty lunch they had 
 
 78 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 coaxed Mr. and Mrs. Ross to let them drive them 
 over, and so a couple of carioles were soon attached 
 to their different trains. Plenty of robes were put 
 in, and now here they all were, and, as always, were 
 most cordially welcomed. 
 
 They spent a couple of hours with the members of 
 this delightful family, who here as missionaries were 
 doing such a blessed work, even if it were one of 
 self-denial and at times sufferings. But Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hurlburt, their two young daughters, and Miss 
 Adams, the lady teacher, were so proud of the In- 
 dians, and of tneir genuine kindly ways, that they 
 were happy and contented with their lot. 
 
 During the l^rief two hours spent at the home this 
 afternoon, as w-ell as on many other occasions, the 
 boys had opportunities to see evidences of their kind- 
 nesses and tangible love to the sick and hungry ones 
 who looked so much to them. Not only did they 
 find in Mr. and Mrs. Ross real friends to help them, 
 but by their very substantial contributions they made 
 the missionary and his family the almoners of many 
 gifts much needed by the poor Indians. 
 
 Genuine Christians themselves, the owners of 
 Sagasta-weekee did much to help in the spiritual up- 
 lifting of the people from the degradation and super- 
 stitions of a cruel paganism into the blessedness and 
 enjoyments of a genuine Christianity and an abiding 
 civilization. 
 
 The time quickly sped by. They had some earnest 
 chat, a few delightful hymns and songs of the home- 
 land, and then a brief but earnest prayer for Heaven's 
 
 blessing on loved ones far away, upon themselves in 
 
 79 
 
i 
 
 ti 
 
 '.it 
 
 II 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 that land and th'^ir different work, and also upon the 
 Indians. 
 
 Then the dogs were roused, the carioles arranged, 
 and the passengers were soon all aboard. The boys 
 took their places firmly standing on the tailboards of 
 the sleds that projected in the rear. Grasping the 
 tailropes, with which they held themselves on and 
 guided their carioles, simultaneously they cried, 
 "Marche!" and with a spring they were all off 
 together. 
 
 They had three splendid trains and were not badly 
 matched for a short spurt. So amidst shoutings 
 and laughter in the beautiful gloaming of that lovely 
 evening they fairly flew over the icy expanse of 
 Playgreen Lake. But blood will tell, and it was 
 soon evident that although Alec had Mr. Ross as his 
 passenger, and therefore the heaviest load of the 
 three, he was surely forging ahead. With those 
 long, houndlike legs, these round-barreled, small- 
 headed, keen-eyed dogs need not take any second 
 place in that crowd, and so it is that, catching the 
 enthusiasm of the hour, and springing in unison with 
 each other, they respond to Alec's cheery call, and 
 seem to pick themselves up and so fly over the rest of 
 the route to Sagasta-weekee that in placing them all 
 that could be said was, "Alec first, the rest 
 nowhere." 
 
 "Well done. Alec," said Mr. Ross, as he sprang 
 
 out of the cariole. 'Tf you equal the speed of the 
 
 last two or three miles in the race with the trains of 
 
 the village and the fort, I think the blue ribbon of 
 
 first place will be yours. But where is your cap ?" 
 
 80 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Happy Alec! He had been so excited with the 
 splendid speed of his dogs, and the perfect unison of 
 their movements, that he did not seem to be con- 
 scious of the fact that the capote of his overcoat was 
 hanging down his back and that his cap had left him 
 a mile or two back on the ice. However, his abun- 
 dant curly locks had been sufficient for him during 
 the excitement of that blood-stirring race. He 
 speedily pulled up the capote over his head, and Sam, 
 who had seen his cap fall and had hastily snatched 
 it up as his cariole flew by, now came up and restored 
 it to him. 
 
 Frank, with the children, was the last in. His 
 heavy dogs, while the strongest, were not so adapted 
 for rapid traveling as the others. 
 
 "Well, we had the longest ride," said Roddy; "you 
 folks went so fast you did not have such a nice long 
 time as we did." 
 
 This happy way of looking at it pleased every- 
 body, and all voted Roddy to be a philosopher. 
 
 The Indian servants had the dog-fish all ready, 
 and so it was not long ere the twelve dogs were 
 enjoying their well-earned supper. 
 
 When they had all entered the house the boys, as 
 usual, were anxious to know of each other's success 
 during the day. Not only had Frank, as we have 
 described, gone out to his traps, but Sam and Alec 
 had also driven some miles to the places where they, 
 apart from each other, were also trying their skill 
 in trapping various kinds of fur-bearing animals. 
 
 Sam had gone out for several days past in com- 
 pany with a son of Memotas. He was a bright 
 6 & 
 
Wti 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 young fellow, and he and Sam had suddenly becofnc 
 very confidential. It was evident that they had 
 some great scheme on between them. What it was 
 nobody seemed quite able to make out, and so their 
 curiosity was much excited, especially when Sam 
 had been seen in close converse with the cook, and 
 had then after a hasty visit to the cellar hurried away 
 with young Memotas. To make matters worse, 
 Sam had dropped a couple of large onions ere he 
 reached his sled. Then one of the maids said she 
 heard him asking the mistress if she had any oil of 
 bergamot, and if there was any castoreum left in the 
 house. They did not get much information from 
 him that night, and, strange to say, he was the first 
 one after dinner that proposed bed. Before daylight 
 a trusty servant called him, as Sam had desired, and 
 even then, early as it was when he came down, young 
 Memotas was there awaiting him. 
 
 Mrs. Ross insisted that both Sam and young Me- 
 motas should have a good, warm breakfast ere they 
 started out. It is very darii .m < -us indeed to start off 
 in the morning without a good, warm, generous 
 meal. While the two boys were eating their break- 
 fast a trusty Indian called out Sam's dogs, and now 
 there they stood longing to be off. They did not 
 return until the afternoon, and then they proudly 
 brought in two prime wild cats which they had 
 captured. Sam that evening told how that he and 
 young Memotas had found the tracks of them some 
 days before, and that they had been busy ever since 
 making a dead fall, and the last day or so they had 
 
 beeti decoying them to the place by the scent of 
 
 82 
 
 I 
 
 [I 
 
ii 
 
 4 
 
 
 IN THE Great Loise Land 
 
 onions. Tliis would bring them into the vicinity of 
 the trap; but he said that he remembered reathng 
 somewhere that some arimals were attracted by ber- 
 gamot, and so he begged a Httle from Mrs. Ross, and 
 sure enough there the two wild cats were securely 
 caught. The weight of the logs had been increased 
 by heavy stones, and so, lie added, "The animals 
 were quite dead when we reached them. As there 
 were other tracks around we have been busy ever 
 since making traps of the same kind." 
 
 Alec had not accomplished much l^eyond finding 
 the frozen part of the hind foot of a marten in one of 
 his steel traps. He noticed which way the animal 
 had gone, and so, taking a couple of dogs out of his 
 sled, he put them on the trail, and to his surprise and 
 delight they quickly ran it down. He rescued it 
 from them as speedily as possible. It was quite 
 dead, but its beautiful fur was uninjured. 
 
 Frank was eager to be off again with old Memotas 
 to see the result of the new method, to him, of trap- 
 setting for a cunning old fox. But Memotas, whc. 
 was wise and experienced himself, said : 
 
 "Wait one day more yet. That old fox not going 
 to walk into that trap the first day, nor perhaps the 
 second day. You have been well feeding him on 
 plenty of bait, and he not a bit hungry. But when 
 he get hungry perhaps he go prowling round to see 
 if his friend hasn't come with any more bait for him. 
 For foxes get to know traps that seem just set for 
 them to live from." 
 
 This was all rather hard on Frank, but he had come 
 
 to see that it was all true, and so he patiently waited 
 
 83 
 
 # 
 
fl! 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 until the old man came in and said he thought per- 
 haps they might go and see if that fox was still 
 playing any of his tricks. The train was soon har- 
 nessed, and away they flew over the icy lake, and 
 then into the forest trail. On and on they went, 
 until they came near the spot where the traps had 
 all been set. Every one that Frank had set was 
 sprung and empty, and the one that Mcmotas had 
 set wit'i such care was missing! Nowhere could 
 Frank see it or any trace of it. Memotas quickly 
 stepi^ed out a hundred feet or so, and then began 
 walking in a circle around the spot. He had not 
 more than half completed the circle before he quickly 
 called to Frank, who at once hurried to his side. 
 Pointing to a peculiar spot in the snow that had been 
 much disturbed, Memotas said : 
 
 "I ''hink fox caught with ijoth fore legs in the 
 trap. He is now walking away on his hind legs and 
 holding up the trap in his mouth. See, there he walk 
 on two legs! See, there he rest!" And the old 
 man began to hurry on, closely followed by Frank, 
 to whom he explained every movement the fox had 
 made. 
 
 *'Must be a fine big fox to get away so far with 
 the trap on both fore feet," said Memotas. "But 
 listen I" 
 
 A strange siarling-like sound fell on their ears, 
 
 and with it something like the ^erce yelping of a 
 
 fiery young dog. ^Memotas had quickly dropped 
 
 flat on the ground in the snow, and Frank crouched 
 
 beside him. The old man whispered to Frank to 
 
 give him his long hunting knife. 
 
 84 
 
 ■ I 
 
 ■i 
 
 
 ,^^^':^«->:,/V;}'y 
 
 
 s^''-„':iK 
 
IN TiJE Great Lone Land 
 
 'But 
 
 I 
 
 1 i 
 
 "Some other animal, wild cat perhaps, meet fox, 
 and they fighting. Keep still, 1 must go back to the 
 sled for the gun." 
 
 Without making the slightest noise the old man 
 glided hack, and was soon lost to sight. 
 
 Fortunately, there was a dense clump of evergreen 
 balsam or spruce trees between the contending ani- 
 mals and Frank. Then they were so absorbed in 
 their own quarrel that they were not very alert in 
 watching for others. However, Frank knew enough 
 to keep perfectly still, although he confessed he 
 clutched the knife several times more firmly as the 
 blood-curdling snarls of the wild cat pierced the air 
 so near. Soon Memotas was back again, and then 
 the question was to get a successful shot at the wild 
 cat, as it was evident the fox was sure enough. At 
 first Memotas crawled forward closer to the trees, 
 the branches of which, laden down with snow, 
 reached to the ground all around. Carefully peer- 
 ing through the dense branches, he gaxed intently 
 for a time, and then he silently beckoned Frank to 
 come. Noiselessly he crawled up beside Memotas, 
 and after his eyes had become accustomed to the 
 work he was able to see the two animals not more 
 than two hundred feet away. The two fore legs of 
 the fox were securely fastened in the steel trap, 
 which seemed to have closed on him about four 
 inches up from his feet. The wild cat was a fierce 
 old male, and was doing his best to get a good grip 
 on the fox. This the fox was resolved not to let 
 him have, and so he kept his face toward his foe, 
 
 and whenever the latter would spring at him the fox 
 
 8s 
 
1 
 
 In 
 
 J 
 
 I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 would suddenly raise himself, and, throwing up the 
 trap so securely fastened on his fore legs, would 
 bang it down with a whack on the head of the wild 
 cat. With a snarl the cat would suddenly back off 
 and arch up his back and snarl worse than ever. It 
 was the queerest battle that Memotas had ever wit- 
 nessed, and every time the trap rattled on the head 
 or body of the wild cat the old man fairly quivered 
 with excitement and delight. To Frank the sight 
 was also the oddest and queerest he had ever even 
 heard of. At one skillful parry the fox, although so 
 terribly handicapped, was able to give the cat a 
 whack that sent him fairly sprawling in the snow. 
 At the sight of this Frank had to crowd his fur 
 mitten into his mouth to prevent him from fairly 
 shouting out : 
 
 "Well done, old fox!" 
 
 Why they remained so in this one open place, 
 Frar.k now saw, was because the fox was fearful 
 that if he got in among the fallen logs or the rocks 
 the wild cat would have the advantage, and thus 
 succeed in springing upon his back, while he, so 
 hampered, could make but little resistance. All at 
 once Frank saw the animals cease both the attack 
 and their noises. Memotas, quick and alert, sud- 
 denly brought his gun into position, and the next 
 instant, as Frank heard the jingling of distant bells, 
 there also rang out the report of the gun, and the 
 wild cat tumbled over dead. 
 
 Springing up, Memotas called Frank to follow, 
 
 and together they quickly hurried after the fox, that 
 
 was now again desperatelv striving to get away. 
 
 86' 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Memotas did not wish to injure the valualj": skin l)y 
 piercing it with a ball, and so, picking up a heavy 
 clublike branch of a tree, he quickly killed the fox 
 without breaking the skin. 
 
 A few minutes after Alec drove up along the trail. 
 He had visited his traps and snares, and had decided 
 to take this trail on his way home. His bells were 
 the ones heard by the two fighters. Well was it 
 that Memotas's quick ears also heard them, and that 
 he was able to fire before the wild cat had fled into 
 the forest. 
 
 They were soon all on their way home again. The 
 fox was a great beauty, and although it was a cross, 
 yet it was so nearly black that a large sum was given 
 for it. 
 
 For many a day after Frank talked and laughed 
 
 about that oddest of all fights, the one between the 
 
 trapped fox and the fierce old wild cat. 
 
 87 
 

 •iv 
 
 Ir I 
 
 !{ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Winter Birds of the Great Lone Land — The Whisky 
 Jack — The Ptarmigan — Their Beds in the Snow — Mission 
 Visits — Cupid's Darts — The Wood Supply — Primitive Way of 
 Capturing Partridges — Great Snowy Owls — Methods of Cap- 
 ture — Sam's Experience — The Fearful Grip of the Owl's Claw. 
 
 'Where 
 
 birds?" said Sam one 
 
 e your singing 
 morning as he came in from having taken Wenonah 
 and Roderick out for a drive with the dogs. "We 
 have traveled over a dozen miles and have not heard 
 a single bird song." 
 
 ''Only a whisky jack," said Roderick. 
 
 This reply of Roderick's mafle everybody laugh; 
 for the shrill, harsh cry of the Indians' sacred bird, 
 called by the very unpoetical name of whisky jack, 
 is not very musical, but just the reverse. 
 
 *'Our singing birds are all in the sunny South 
 Land during these cold months," said Mr. Ross. 
 "We have multitudes of them during our brief sum- 
 mer time. Then, at the first breath of the Frost 
 King, they flit away and leave us so still and quiet." 
 
 "What about this saucy bird, here called whisky 
 jack, that we meet with on all of our wintry jour- 
 neys?" asked Alec. 
 
 "Well," replied Mrs. Ross, "you see, in the first 
 
 place, that he is not very handsome. His bluish-gray 
 
 plumage is not very attractive, but he has an inner 
 
 coating of black down, and if you could strip him of 
 
 both of these jackets you would find him to be a very 
 
 small bird after all. The Indians used to call him 
 
 88 
 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 their sacred bird. They never kill one, no matter 
 how hungry they may be. They have some beauti- 
 ful traditions associated with him. His voice, so 
 harsh and loud, is, according to some legends, the cry 
 of a fair maiden who, fleeing from a hateful suitor, 
 was lost in a blizzard. In vain she called for her 
 own sweetheart, until her once musical voice became 
 so harsh and rough that it lost its beauty. To pre- 
 vent her from falling into the hands of her hated 
 suitor, just as he was about seizing her the magi- 
 cians changed her, in answer to her prayer, into a 
 bird, and this is the whisky jack." 
 
 "Our next most interesting winter bird," said Mr. 
 Ross, "is the ptarmigan, or white partridge. The 
 colder the w inter the more numerous they seem to 
 be. They are easily snared, like the rabbits, as they 
 have certain favorite runs, and do not seem to ob- 
 serve the twine or wire loops into which they so 
 foolishly run their heads." 
 
 "Where do they sleep at nights?" asked little 
 Roderick. 
 
 "Faith, and I know," said Sam; "for was I not 
 fairly frightened out of my wits by a lot of them one 
 night when traveling late to the camp to drive over 
 a snowdrift into which they were burying them- 
 selves? I saw them fly up high in the air, and then, 
 like a stone, they just shot themselves down and 
 buried themselves out of sight of myself and those 
 who were with me." 
 
 "Yes," said Alec, "and I well remember how they 
 
 startled me several times as they were getting up out 
 
 of these queer beds in the deep snow away out from 
 
 89 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
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 23 WIST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. USM 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
 ^ 
 

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 ^ 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the dense woods. It always occurred very early in 
 the morning, shortly after we had left our camps in 
 the woods, where we had spent the night. I could 
 hardly get used to the start they gave me, as some- 
 times they flew right up from under the feet of my 
 dogs. They seemed like wee ghosts, they were so 
 very white, and my dogs as well as myself were dis- 
 turbed by their uncanny ways." 
 
 "Do they go back to the same snowdrifts night 
 after night ?" asked Frank. 
 
 "No," said Mr. Ross; "they are birds that move 
 around a good deal, and as far as the Indians' obser- 
 vations go the same flock or covey never sleep twice 
 in the same place. If they did the foxes and other 
 animals that are very fond of feeding on them would 
 soon discover their retreats, and would make short 
 work of them." 
 
 Thus the days and weeks passed by. Sometimes 
 all the boys, wjth Mr. Ross and a number of Indians, 
 would be away on some great excursion after the 
 bears or beavers. At other times shorter trips 
 would be arranged, wher. but one or two of the boys 
 would go. 
 
 Then there were the home sports and frequent 
 visits to the traps and snares. The dogs were kept 
 busy, and the skates and snowshoes were not for- 
 gotten. 
 
 The visits between Sagasta-weekee and the mis- 
 sion w^ere very frequent, and it began to appear as 
 if Cupid had donned a fur ermine coat, or a feather 
 mantle, and had made a flying visit and fired a 
 
 couple of his darts into the hearts of Fr?it;k and 
 
 90 
 
 1 
 
 ! 
 j 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Alec, and on these darts 
 
 the 
 
 names of the two 
 lovely daughters of the missionary. Whether this 
 be true or not, or only a rumor brought by a relay 
 of gulls, we cannot say, but Mrs. Ross affirmed that 
 never since their arrival at Sagasta-weekee were 
 these two young gentlemen so particular about their 
 personal appearance, or so anxious to find some good 
 and valid reason why they should be sent over to 
 the home of the missionary. It was also remarked, 
 by those who saw their two beautifully painted cari- 
 oles made ready for the trip, that an extra soft fur 
 robe or two were placed therein. Their skates were 
 sometimes also carried along with them. It was 
 also further remarked that they generally preferred 
 starting early in the day, and it was an actual fact 
 that, although the whole round trip need not have 
 taken more than three or four hours, they generally 
 did not return until long after dark. Rumors 
 also reached Sagasta-weekee that on several occa- 
 sions two beautiful carioles, with lovely white young 
 ladies cozily wrapped up in costly furs, and driven 
 by handsome young gentlemen, had been met with, 
 fairly flying over the great icy routes, while the air 
 was full of happy laughter that sounded very much 
 in unison with the music of the little silver bells that 
 hung on the collars of the splendid dogs. And fur- 
 thermore, it was well known that among the skating 
 parties Frank and Alec were generally found skat- 
 ing with these same two young ladies. Their expla- 
 nations were that their skates seemed to glide more 
 in unison with each other, and in fact that there was 
 a sort of affinity between them. Then their joy was 
 
 m 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 I,. 
 
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 f ■ 
 
 I 
 
 complete when Mrs. Ross invited the whole family 
 from the mission to come early and spend the day 
 with them at Sagasta-weekee. It was remarked 
 that these two young gentlemen generally had word 
 that the devoted missionary had heen using his dogs 
 very much lately on his long trips among the distant 
 bands of Indians, and it would be a capital idea for 
 some of them to drive over with their fresh trains 
 and bring back some of the family. This happy 
 suggestion was of course carried out, but it was 
 observed that the carioles of the aforesaid young 
 gentlemen, whei. they returned, only had in each of 
 them a sweet-faced, beautiful young lady, and they 
 said that the trip had been "perfectly lovely !" 
 
 What happy days those were! To Frank and 
 Alec had come their first young lovedreams, uud 
 they were pure and sweet and stimulating. Cynics 
 and crusty, disappointed old bachelors might make 
 fun of these youthful lovers and make some sarcas- 
 tic remarks; still, after all, where is the noble, 
 healthy, splendid young man of fifteen or sixteen 
 that has not safely passed through these same or- 
 deals and as a general thing survived ? So let Frank 
 and Alec have these daydreams and thus enjoy 
 themselves. They will be none the worse, but rather 
 the better, when the ordeal is over, as it is with those 
 who safely get through with a lingering attack of 
 the measles or scarlet fever. 
 
 One day Mr. Ross sent old Mustagan out into the 
 
 woods to select a place where the next year's supply 
 
 of wood could be obtained. His instructions were 
 
 to find a dense forest of tall, symmetrical trees from 
 
 92 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 areas- 
 noble, 
 xteen 
 e or- 
 rank 
 |enjoy 
 ather 
 those 
 k of 
 
 lo the 
 lipply 
 Iwere 
 Ifrom 
 
 I 
 
 which a trail or road could be easily made to 
 Sagasta-weekee. Then choppers would be sent in, 
 and some acres of this forest would be cut down and 
 there left to dry for twelve months. The result 
 would be that at the end of the year's time the trees 
 would be in splendid condition for firewood. The 
 next operation was to have these trees all cut up in 
 lengths that could be easily handled, and then 
 dragged home by the dogs on their long sleds when 
 there was abundance of snow on the ground. 
 
 Sam asked for the privilege of accompanying 
 Mustagan. As the walk was only a few miles, the 
 old Indian was pleased to have the bright young 
 paleface go with him. As they were to go through 
 the forest, where there was not as yet the first ves- 
 tige of a trail, they at once strapped on their snow- 
 shoes. Mustagan's only weapon was his ax, while 
 Sam carried a small rifle. Very much sooner than 
 they had anticipated they found a suitable grove, 
 the limits of which Mustagan at once proceeded to 
 mark ofif with his ax. These few marks thus made 
 on some of the trees were all that was necessary to 
 secure the property. 
 
 They had seen but little game, and so all that Sam 
 had fired at had been a passing rabbit or ptarmigan. 
 While on the home trip a beautiful covey of par- 
 tridges came flying by them and lit in a large balsam 
 tree but a few hundred feet in front of them. 
 
 *T wish I had brought a shotgun instead of this 
 rifle," said Sam. "I think we might have had more 
 than one of those partridges." 
 
 "Suppose we try and get them all without any 
 
 93 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 gun," said Mustagan, in a tone that seemed to indi- 
 cate perfect confidence in the experiment. 
 
 "If we get two of them before they fly I will be 
 delighted," said Sam, as he raised his gun and tried 
 to get a shot at two in a line. However, before he 
 could fire Mustagan quickly stopped him and said: 
 
 "No, no, not that way. I will show you how. 
 Step back and keep still, and see how our fathers 
 used to get them before the white man's gun came 
 into the country." 
 
 Sam naturally thought of the bow and arrows, but 
 as Mustagan had none along he wondered if the old 
 man was going to quickly try and make some. In 
 the meantime Mustagan had quietly slipped back 
 into a grove of tall, slender young trees that grew up 
 like great fish poles. Here he quickly cut down one 
 that could be easily handled by a strong man. This 
 he rapidly trimmed of all its branches, and then 
 quietly returned with it to the spot where Sam was 
 watching the birds. Stooping down to one of his 
 moccasined feet, Mustagan untied the deerskin 
 string with which the moccasin had been securely 
 fastened around his ankle to keep out the snow. Cut- 
 ting oflf a piece about two feet long, he again fastened 
 up his shoe, and then, with the string thus secured, 
 began to make a snare out of it. He first tied one 
 end of the string securely to the smaller end of the 
 long pole; then in the other end of the string he 
 made a running slip noose, which he arranged so 
 that it would be about four inches in diameter. Then 
 began the strangest part of his proceedings, and one 
 
 only possible in a land of such intense cold. Taking 
 
 94 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 was 
 )f his 
 rskin 
 urely 
 Cut- 
 ened 
 ured, 
 one 
 f the 
 g he 
 d so 
 ■Then 
 one 
 king 
 
 I 
 
 his hand out of his mitten, Mustagan wet liis fingers 
 with his saUva and then immediately rubbed it on tlie 
 deerskin string. As fast as it was thus wet it froze 
 as stiff as wire, and stood straight out from the stick. 
 Rapidly did the Indian thus wet the whole string, 
 the loop of the slip noose included, until the whole 
 stood out as though made of steel wire. Then, 
 cautioning Sam not to move, Mustagan, carrying 
 his long pole with this uniquely formed noose on its 
 end, moved cautiously and quickly under the tree in 
 which the partridges were still sitting. Carefully he 
 began raising up the pole until it was higher than the 
 head of the partridge nearest the ground. Then he 
 deftly brought it so that the noose was directly over 
 the head of the bird. With a quick jerk he pulled 
 the pole down with the head of the bird in the noose 
 of the string, which, of course, tightened with the 
 sudden jerk. Mustagan quickly killed the bird by 
 crushing in the skull. Then, loosing it from the 
 string, he rapidly went through the whole process 
 again of moistening the string with his saliva and 
 arranging the noose as before. In this way he suc- 
 ceeded in securing the whole covey of those par- 
 tridges. From his favorable position Sam watched 
 the whole operation, and was much delighted with 
 the success of the old Indian, who had in this way, 
 without the loss of one charge of powder, or even an 
 arrow, secured ten or a dozen fine, plump partridges. 
 On their way home, in answer to Sam's many ques- 
 tions as to his reasons for adopting this method 
 of capturing the partridges, the Indian stated that 
 the secret of his success in getting them all was the 
 
 95 
 
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 I£1' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 fact that he began by catching in his noose the bird 
 lowest clown. "When you do that," he added, "the 
 birds above think that as those below them go down 
 they are just flying to the ground to see what they 
 can find to eat. Never take a bird that is higher 
 up in the tree than any other. If yr a do you get no 
 more. The rest will at once fly away." 
 
 Another bird that remains aV winter in those cold 
 North Lands is the great snow-white owl. His 
 wonderful covering of feathers, even down t * the 
 toes, enables him to defy the severest frost. He 
 generally sleeps by day in some dense balsam tree, 
 and then is ready, when the sun goes down, for his 
 nightly raids upon the rabbits and partridges. He 
 is also fond of mice, and as there are some varieties 
 of these active little creatures that run around a good 
 deal even in the winter, and at night, the owls are 
 ever on the lookout for them, as well as are the 
 foxes. Sometimes these great white owls in their 
 night huntings fly far away from their usual resting 
 places Then they are in great trouble, especially if 
 there are no trees with dense branches among which 
 they can hide. If the bright sun happens to peep 
 up over the horizon ere they are safely stowed away 
 in some shadowy place, they are at the mercy of any 
 foe. Sometimes they alight on the icy or snowy 
 surface of the lake. They are then easily captured. 
 When a clever Indian dog-driver sees one thus 
 standing out on the ice he quickly stops his dog- 
 train, and, running toward the bewildered owl, gets 
 on the side on which the sun is shining. Then he 
 
 makes sufficient noise to keep the ow! excited and 
 
 96 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 : cold 
 His 
 » the 
 He 
 tree, 
 or his 
 He 
 rieties 
 L good 
 [Is are 
 the 
 their 
 ssting 
 llyif 
 which 
 peep 
 away 
 f any 
 nowy 
 ured. 
 thus 
 dog- 
 gets 
 :n he 
 and 
 
 looking toward liim. In doiiig this tlie owl has to 
 let the bright, brilliant rays of the sun shine right 
 into his great, staring eyes. The man, with nothing 
 but his long whip in his hand, keeps approaching, 
 taking care, however, that his shadow does not fall 
 on the bird. If he did, that instant the owl would be 
 off. So the man keeps enough to one side to have 
 the owl always in the brilliant light. The result is 
 he does not .see the approaching man. When near 
 enough the man uses his wh.ip in such a way that the 
 long lash winds itself suddenly around the neck of 
 the owl, and he is thus ca))tured. 
 
 When better food is scarce these large owls are 
 eaten by the Indians. Some are so fond of them 
 that they are ever on the lookout to capture them. 
 They have several methods by which they catch 
 them. One is to fasten an upright pole securely in 
 the ice. On the top of this is nailed a little board, 
 and on this is set a steel trap or snare. The owls get 
 tired with their constant flying about, and, seeing 
 this handy resting place, are then quickly caught as 
 they alight upon it. Another method was explained 
 to Sam by an old Indian hunter, and with some help 
 in securing the material they had a great deal of fun 
 in trying it. The first thing they did was to make 
 a great black rag mouse about as big as a beaver. To 
 this was added a tail about five fee; long. Then to 
 the nose of this great bogus mouse was attached one 
 end of a large ball of twine. This was the whole 
 outfit, except, of course, the guns. One evening an 
 Indian arrived with the news that at a certain place 
 the great white owls had been seen in numbers, and 
 7 97 
 
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 !•< i 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 perhaps it would be a good place to go and see what 
 could be done in capturing some. As it was a very 
 pleasant evening and the place mentioned was not 
 very far away, Sam had little Roderick packed with 
 him in his cariole, and with the mouse, ball of twine, 
 and gun, and attended by one of the Indian servants, 
 they drove over to the spot. The big mouse was 
 placed on the snow as far out from the shore as the 
 string would allow. The dogs with the cariole were 
 driven into the shadow of a large spruce tree that 
 grew on the very edge of the lake. Here the Indian, 
 with Sam and Roderick, although completely hidden 
 in the shade, could see distinctly everything outside, 
 for the moon was now up and shining with wondrous 
 beauty. For a time they remained there under the 
 tree in complete silence. Then the clear vision of the 
 Indian enabled him to be the first to detect the 
 presence of an owl. 
 
 "Hist !" he quietly uttered, and then as he pointed 
 out the object they were able to see a great owl sail- 
 ing round and round up in the air, perhaps fifty feet 
 directly over the big black bog^s mouse. Suddenly 
 he made a swift dive down for it. But at that in- 
 stant the Indian, who had hold of the end of the 
 cord, gave it a sudden jerk and pulled the mouse in 
 a dozen feet or so nearer to them. This apparent 
 big jump of the mouse seemed to disconcert the owl, 
 and so he quickly flew away. But it was only for a 
 moment, and then back he came. Round and round 
 in circles he flew% getting nearer and nearer all the 
 time, when once more he dashed down on the big 
 mouse. But another sudden jerk had pulled the 
 
 1^ 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 : what 
 I very 
 as not 
 1 with 
 twine, 
 vants, 
 »e was 
 as the 
 e were 
 :e that 
 Indian, 
 hidden 
 ►utside, 
 ndrous 
 der the 
 1 of the 
 ect the 
 
 )ointed 
 f\ sail- 
 fty feet 
 Iddenly 
 Ihat in- 
 of the 
 mse in 
 )parent 
 le owl, 
 for a 
 round 
 jail the 
 |he big 
 id the 
 
 mouse out of liis reacli, and so the owl failed once 
 
 more. 
 
 "Get your gun ready," said the Indian to Sam; 
 •*he will be mad now, and so we will soon have him 
 near." 
 
 It was just as the Indian had predicted. The owl 
 seemed angry at having been fooled the second 
 time, and so when he rose up again and saw that 
 great big mouse, which would, to judge by its size, 
 make him such a famous supper, he dashed at it 
 again most savagely. But once more it jumped 
 away from him, as now the Indian kept pulling it in 
 like a mouse running away. Seeing this the owl lost 
 all caution, and was soon within range of Sam's gun, 
 whicn speedily rang out its sharp report, and the 
 great ghostly bird fell suddenly on the ice not more 
 than forty or fifty feet away. 
 
 "Look out for his claws," said the Indian to Sam, 
 who had at once rushed out to secure his game. But 
 the warning came too late. Sam, seeing only the 
 beautiful mass of white feathers and the great star- 
 ing eyes, had reached out his naked hand, from 
 which had dropped his mitten, to seize hold of the 
 owl. But the savage bird lying there on its back 
 was only wounded, and so when Sam's hand was 
 reached out to seize it the very opposite happened, 
 for the owl, with one of its terrible talons, closed on 
 Sam's hand with such a grip that the poor boy fairly 
 howled from the pain. The sharp » laws had pierced 
 him to the very bone, with a grip he could not break. 
 The Indian, however, quickly came to his rescue, 
 and pulling out his keen hunting knife he skillfully 
 
 m 
 
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 ( 
 
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 I 
 
 Winter Adventuuks of Three Boys 
 
 encircled the owl's leg with its sharp edge. This 
 severed every sinew and tendon, and cansed the 
 claws to be so powerless that they could be easily 
 pulled out oi Sam's mangled hand. 
 
 The owl was speedily killed, the wounded hand 
 carefully wrapped up, and the return to Sagasta- 
 weekee was made as quickly as possible. For weeks 
 Sam suffered from his wounds ere they healed, and 
 always after, although he shot a number of owls in 
 this and other ways, he took good care never to let a 
 naked hand come in contact with an owl's claws. 
 
 Poor little Roderick, who had gone out that even- 
 ing in great exjiectancy of a good time, had had his 
 sympathies so aroused by Sam's bowlings that he 
 began crying in sympathy, and kept it up until home 
 was reached. 
 
 100 
 
Boys 
 
 [Ige. This 
 caused the 
 :l be easily 
 
 ncled hand 
 3 Sagasta- 
 For weeks 
 lealed, and 
 of owls in 
 VQT to let a 
 claws, 
 that even- 
 ad had his 
 a;-s that he 
 until home 
 
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ix\ THE Great Lone Land 
 
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 CHAPTER VII. 
 Wounds from Claws versus Teeth Discussed — Mr. Ross's 
 Story of the Battle with the Eagles — Their Mountain Aerie — 
 Their Hunting Skill — Their Voracity— The Eaglets — The Con- 
 Hict — The Result — The Painful Wounds. 
 
 The next day, as Sam was having his hand 
 dressed, quite a discussion arose in reference to 
 which wounds were the more painful, those received 
 from the teeth of wild animals or those from the 
 claws. Sam's present opinion, very decidedly ex- 
 pressed, was that those from the claws were the 
 worse. This w^as the g-encral testimony also of the 
 Indians when questioned on the subject, one of their 
 reasons being that the teeth were smoother and did 
 not make such a torn, jagged wound as did the 
 claws. Another was that the claws were very much 
 dirtier than the teeth, and hence the wounds of the 
 claws were much slower in healing than w^ere those 
 from the teeth. 
 
 "But w'hat about hydrophobia from the bites of 
 the dogs and wild animals ?" said Frank. 
 
 To this Mr. Ross's reply was that that dreadful 
 disease was about unknown among them, although 
 there were said to have been some cases occurring 
 from the bites of the fox. 
 
 **Did not a Governor-General of Canada die from 
 the wounds received from the bites of a fox?" said 
 Alec. 
 
 "Yes," replied Mr. Ross. **It was a tame fox, 
 but it was supposed that it had gone mad," 
 
 lOI 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 "Perhaps it had been bitten by a mad dog, and 
 then became mad itself/' said Sam. 
 
 "That is in all probability the correct solution of 
 the difficult problem, which for a long time troubled 
 many medical men and others," said Mr. Ross. 
 
 "Are there any other birds in this country with 
 claws or talons equal to those of this great owl?" 
 asked Sam. 
 
 "O yes," replied Mr. Ross, "those of the great 
 eagle, which is the first of all the migratory birds to 
 reach us, are more terrible. It is generally seen 
 during the March moon, and so the Cree Indians 
 call that moon, or month, Mikisewpesim, the eagle 
 moon. The Indians prize the feathers of the golden 
 eagle very highly. The magnificent war bonnets of 
 the great chiefs are made of them, and every war- 
 rior of any note is very ambitious to have his eagle 
 plumes. They are hunted only for their feathers, 
 beaks, and claws. Their flesh is worthless. They 
 are very wary birds, and it is indeed a skillful hunter 
 who can get within range of one of them by ordi- 
 iicii^y stalking. They build their nests, or aeries, as 
 they are called, away up on the most inaccessible 
 cliflfs, where it is dangerous for even the most ex- 
 perienced mountain climbers to follow. When not 
 engaged in nesting they spend a great deal of time 
 in circling around in the bright blue sky, at heights 
 so great that the eye can scarce discern them, and 
 where the arrow or bullet of the best-armed Indian 
 fails to reach them. Indian cunning, however, 
 sometimes enables them to capture the eagles in 
 traps, and then their beautiful pinions, that had ena- 
 
 102 
 
rs 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Dg, and 
 
 ition of 
 roubled 
 
 )SS. 
 
 ry with 
 t owl?" 
 
 le great 
 birds to 
 lly seen 
 Indians 
 le eagle 
 : golden 
 iinets of 
 ry war- 
 is eagle 
 eathers. 
 They 
 
 hunter 
 )y ordi- 
 jries, as 
 cessible 
 lost ex- 
 hen not 
 of time 
 heights 
 ;m, and 
 
 Indian 
 owever, 
 Lgles in 
 lad ena- 
 
 bled them to soar away into the blue heavens above, 
 become, next to the scalps of their enemies and the 
 necklaces of the grizzly bears' claws, the proudest 
 ornaments with which they can decorate them- 
 selves." 
 
 "Did you ever have one attack you?" said Sam. 
 
 "Or did you ever try to get hold of a wounded 
 one's talons with your naked hand ?" said Alec. 
 
 This latter question caused some laughter at 
 Sam's expense, as at him it was evidently aimed, in 
 view of his recent mishap with the owl. Mr. Ross's 
 answer was grateful to Sam, as it stopped the laugh- 
 ter and showed that others might make the same 
 mistake or meet with similar adventures. 
 
 "Yes, indeed," said Mr. Ross, "for I can answer 
 both questions that way. It was long ago when my 
 father had charge of a Hudson Bay trading post 
 away west of this, where the Rocky Mountain 
 ranges were not very far distant from us. I was 
 fond of sport, and went with the Indians on all sorts 
 of hunting adventures. Sometimes we would be 
 gone for days together, and have all kinds of strange 
 experiences. We hunted every kind of wild animal 
 that roamed in the prairies, in the foothills, or in 
 the mountains themselves. Very glorious was the 
 scenery among these magnificent mountains. Once 
 when out with some Assiniboines, or Mountain 
 Stonies, as they are generally called by the whites, 
 we saw a large eagle attack a mountain sheep with 
 such fury that the sheep lost its footing and went 
 whirling down the mountain side to certain destruc- 
 tion. The eagle, instead of swooping down on the 
 
 103 
 
 1' 
 
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 ! 
 
 •■ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 quivering carcass, as we had expected it to do, 
 dashed at what we now observed for the first time — 
 a Httle timid lamb that its mother had \ ainly tried to 
 defend. The fierce eagle, with an exultant scream, 
 fastened its strong talons into the back of the fright- 
 ened little creature, and then, flapping its great 
 wings, began slowly rising from the rock. We 
 watched it as it slowly flew away until it landed on a 
 ledge of rocks away up on a mountain side near the 
 top. As soon as it landed we observed that there 
 was its aerie, for from a clump of sticks some little 
 heads were outstretched for food. The eyes of my 
 Indian attendants gleamed with satisfaction, and 
 they said: 
 
 " *We will soon have your feathers, old jNIr. 
 Eagle, and that will stop your destroying our moun- 
 tain game.' 
 
 "While the side of the mountain on which the 
 
 eagles had built their nest was quite precipitous, the 
 
 back part was easily scaled, so that hunters with 
 
 level heads could climb, by being careful, up so high 
 
 that they could really look down into the eagle's 
 
 nest. The nearest point from the nest that we could 
 
 reach was perhaps fifty feet away. We did not, 
 
 however, at once go that near. We did, however, 
 
 crawl near enough to see the fierce, savage way in 
 
 which the old bird tore that young mountain lamb 
 
 to pieces and fed the voracious young eaglets, that 
 
 struggled and fought with each other in their mad 
 
 greed. While they were thus being fed by the old 
 
 male bird we saw the mother arrive with a rabbit in 
 
 her talons. When she saw the feast that had been 
 
 104 
 
 
 
r «ir 
 
 to do, 
 time — 
 ried to 
 icreani, 
 fright- 
 , great 
 c. We 
 ed on a 
 ear the 
 t there 
 le Httlc 
 I of my 
 »n, and 
 
 Id I^Ir. 
 ■ moun- 
 
 ich the 
 
 )us, the 
 
 -s with 
 
 30 high 
 
 eagle's 
 
 could 
 
 id not, 
 
 )wever, 
 
 way in 
 
 n lamb 
 
 s, that 
 
 ir mad 
 
 the old 
 
 bbit in 
 
 d been 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 provided for the young brood she laid the rabbit on 
 one side, and patiently waited until her mate had 
 satisfied the voracious appetites of the brood. Then 
 she and the other eagle tore to pieces the rabbit and 
 devoured it, with what was left of the mountain 
 lamb. 
 
 " 'Big dinner all around, everybody full,' said my 
 Assiniboines ; *big sleep next, then old ones go away 
 for a big fly, and then we set our traps for them ; but 
 while they sleep we eat and sleep too.' 
 
 "We drew back very cautiously into a ravine 
 about a quarter of a mile down the mountain side, 
 to a place where we had noticed some dry wood, for 
 we were not quite above the timber limit. Here we 
 made a fire and had something to eat. It was dif- 
 ficult to make the tea, as the water, although boiling, 
 had so little heat in it at that height on the mountain. 
 We unstrapped our blankets and lay down near the 
 fire and went to sleep, for we were very weary, hav- 
 ing been up some nights before on the lookout for a 
 mountain lion that had been lurking about. I woke 
 up after a couple of hours' sleep and found that both 
 of the eagles had been seen by the watchful Indians 
 to fly away from the nest. As the length of their 
 absence was very uncertain, the Indians quickly set 
 to work to make the snares in which they expected 
 to entrap them. Steel traps were unknown in those 
 days, and vSo the Indians had to make theirs out of 
 their strong buffalo sinews and deerskin twine. 
 
 "When we went back to the place where we could 
 
 overlook the nest it was evident that there would be 
 
 some difficulty in getting down onto the ledge where 
 
 105 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Th::ee Boys 
 
 the young eaglets lay quietly sleeping. After vari- 
 ous trials it was decided that the only way was for 
 one of our party to be lowered over and let down by 
 the rest. As I was much the lightest one, and as 
 the supply of material that we had with us out of 
 which to improvise a rope was very limited, I was 
 the one selected to go down and put the snares in 
 position. It was decided that we would not disturb 
 the eaglets to-day, but would leave them alone for 
 the present, for fear the old eagles would become 
 alarmed and suspicious, and we would fail in captur- 
 ing them. The rope, such as it was, held me all 
 right, and I landed near the nest. The young birds 
 were so gorged with the flesh of the mountain lamb 
 that they were very stupid, and hardly stirred. I 
 set to work as speedily as possible to arrange the 
 snares, so that the eagles would step into them. As 
 they were all constructed on the running noose 
 principle we knew that they would quickly tighten 
 around the feet if once they were stepped into. My 
 principal difficulty was in finding places where I 
 could tie the other ends of the snares. Eagles are 
 very powerful, and can drag by the foot great 
 weights. So I knew that all our work would be lost 
 if I did not succeed in tying them so that their most 
 desperate struggles to get loose would be in vain. 
 However, I succeeded at length, and then I was 
 hoisted up and we all returned back a mile or so 
 and there camped ^or the night. 
 
 "The next morning, before we reached the spot, 
 we heard enough to convince us of the success of 
 
 our scheme. Eagles can make a big noise if they 
 
 io6 
 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 try, and two captured eagles and some frightened 
 young ones were noisy enough as we drew near and 
 investigated. Both eagles were firmly caught in 
 these snares of rolled and twisted sinews, which, 
 although not much thicker than common wire, were 
 sufficiently strong to hold them. The Indians 
 wished to shoot them at once, but I had long had an" 
 ambition to own a live, full-grown eagle, and there- 
 fore I would not let them fire. The rope of yester- 
 day was soon brought into use again, and I was 
 lowered down once more to the rocky ledge, armed 
 only with a stout club about four feet long. The 
 noise was simply deafening that was made by these 
 angry birds. The instant I landed they flew at me 
 most viciously. Well was it that the strong sinews 
 held them firmly. As it was I had a rough time of 
 it. I would watch my opportunity and try to strike 
 one of them a heavy blow on the head with my club. 
 To my surprise I received in return a heavy whack 
 from a powerful wing. Their wings were free, and 
 the length of the string enabled them to attack me 
 from all quarters. Seeing my difficulties, I called 
 to my Indians to shoot the female bird, and thus 
 leave me but one to tackle. This they did by shoot- 
 ing her through the head. This left me but the old 
 male bird. I think I could have easily knocked him 
 over the head, but my ambition was to capture him 
 and to take him home as a trophy. I unfastened the 
 noose of the dead eagle, and, tying it to the rope, 
 had the Indians hoist it up to the top. Then I made 
 the attempt to tie together the legs of the young 
 
 eaglets to have them also drawn up to the summit. 
 
 107 
 
mmm 
 
 II i 
 
 H! 
 
 I 
 
 i"! 
 
 ! 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 What fighters tliey were! The way they struck at 
 me with their little beaks, and in every way possible 
 resented my interference with their liberty, was 
 wonderful. My hands were sore and bleeding ere 
 I succeeded in sending up the last of the four to my 
 comrades. I had them throw down the snares, and 
 with them I made a kind of a lasso which I tried to 
 throw over the head of the vicious bird. As I threw 
 it he coolly reached up and cleverly caught it in his 
 beak, and snapped it in two as quickly as could a 
 pair of scissors. I tried it again, and once more he 
 was too liiuzh for me. Why he had not cut himself 
 loose when in the snare w^as a mystery to me when I 
 here saw how clever he was in cutting my lasso. It 
 was looking rather discouraging, and I began to 
 fear that he would have to be shot. 
 
 "My comrades had been amused spectators of my 
 adventures, and now, seeing me uncertain as to 
 what would be my best move, gave me some advice. 
 It was this: 'Untie the other end of the long noose 
 that holds him to the rock where you tastened it, and 
 tie it to the rope, and we will pull him up and see 
 what we can do with him here.' This plan struck 
 me as a capital one, and so I immediately proceeded 
 to carry it out. But I had decided on this plan with- 
 out taking the eagle into my confidence, and so when 
 I began handling the string he flew at me, and with 
 beak and wings assailed me. I had foolishly dropped 
 my heavy club, and so at first was about powerless. 
 Fortunately, I had my hunting knife a*, my side, and 
 quickly drawing it I fought for my life. The eagle 
 
 cleverly warded off my lunges at him by striking me 
 
 io8 
 
 ti \' 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 with his wings. Sometimes so heavily (Ud his hlows 
 rain on me tiiat it was a wonder I was not stunned. 
 Apparently gaining courage hy his success, he 
 seemed to redouble his attacks, and for a time kept 
 me wholly on the defensive. Making a sudden dash 
 at him with the hope of plunging my knife into him, 
 he so cleverly, with one of his wings, knocked aside 
 my knife that in my stumble I found I had awkwardly 
 cut the noose that bound him. As I knew that his 
 talons were now free I presumed he would at once 
 avail himself of his liberty and fly away. But he 
 had now no such idea. His blood was up, and so 
 with a scream of defiance, or triumph, he flew right 
 at my face, with his great ugly talons extended, as 
 though he would grip me up as he had done the 
 lamb. When attacked we naturally will do any- 
 thing to save the face, and so the instant he dashed 
 at me I threw up my left hand to grasp hold of him 
 somewhere. This fortunately arrested his dash 
 at my face, and in the next instant I had plunged my 
 knife under his outstretched wings into his very 
 vitals, and he was a dead eagle. So terrible, how- 
 ever, was that death grip on my hand and wrist that 
 it was not until I was hauled up with him to the top 
 that the Indians were able to set me free, and then 
 it was only done by cutting the sinews or muscles of 
 each great claw and taking them out of my flesh." 
 *'Well," said Sam, "that is a splendid story; but 
 you must have sufl^ered much more than I did, and 
 so as regards my little experience with the owl, well, 
 I think I'll ould my tongue." 
 
 And so he did. 
 
 109 
 
i 
 
 mm 
 
 J I II I I II II H II 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 if 
 
 i> 
 
 .1 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Sundays in the Great Lone Land — Services ut the Mission — 
 By Skiff or Canoe in Summer — By Dog-train in Winter — Na- 
 poleon, the Tame Bear, and His Load — Services at Sagasta- 
 weekee — Missionary Journeys — Native Ministers — The Queer 
 Sermon — Happy Christmas Times — New Year's, the Great 
 Day — Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou — The Kissing Day — Varied Ex- 
 periences — The Great Feast — Happy Indians — Thanksgiving. 
 
 Sundays in the North Land ! Yes, there are such 
 clays, and they come once in seven in the wild North 
 Land as elsewhere, and right welcome they are ; for 
 they are days of gladness, not sadness — days in 
 which loving homage is paid to the loving Father 
 who is also the God of nature ; and as nature rejoices 
 in his bounteous care and infinite wisdom, why 
 should not those in his kingdom of grace also be 
 happy in the sunshine of his love? 
 
 "Serve the Lord with gladness," was the motto 
 of Mr. Ross's religious life, and everyone under his 
 influence or care felt that he was a genuine man and 
 a safe leader to follow. His religious life, while 
 decided and settled, was unobtrusive and kindly. It 
 embraced the two commands, love to God and love 
 to his fellow-man. 
 
 The mission some years before established among 
 the Indians had been very successful, and a capa- 
 cious church was there built. Every Sunday a large 
 portion of the family went from Sagasta-weekee at 
 least once a day, and there worshiped. The morn- 
 ing service was conducted in the English language. 
 
 no 
 
 ii 
 
 i; * 
 
 5' 
 
 *'}' 
 
Vlission — 
 Iter — Na- 
 Sagasta- 
 he Queer 
 he Great 
 ried Ex- 
 ^sgiving. 
 
 are such 
 d North 
 are; for 
 ■days in 
 f Father 
 
 rejoices 
 m, why 
 
 also be 
 
 e motto 
 Inder his 
 
 nan and 
 |e, while 
 
 dly. It 
 
 ,nd love 
 
 among 
 a capa- 
 
 a large 
 iekee at 
 morn- 
 Inguage. 
 
 u 
 
 3 
 
 U 
 
 
 rt 
 C5 
 
 <^ 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 a 
 
N 
 
 w 
 
 I' 'ii 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 This was clone for two reasons : one was for the in- 
 struction and profit of all who spoke that tongue; 
 the other was that the Indians who were learning 
 the language might become the more speedily famil- 
 iarized with it. The afternoon and evening services 
 were conducted in the Indian language. However, 
 if a number understanding the English language 
 only happened to be present, both languages were 
 used with the help of an interpreter. The church 
 was on the shore of a pretty lake, and it was a very 
 pleasant sight to see the gathering of the congrega- 
 tion. It was one quite different from what is gen- 
 erally seen as crowds usually gather for worship at 
 the sound of the church bell. Here were no long 
 streets, or even common roads or sidewalks. The 
 homes of these Indians, both houses and wigwams, 
 had been built around the lake shore on the various 
 picturesque points, not far from the water's edge. 
 Every family wanted easy access to the lake for 
 water, and none of them wished to be far away from 
 the landing places where they kept their canoes. 
 The result was that it looked on Sundays, when they 
 came to the church in groups, as if there were a 
 pathway from every dwelling place. Then, as large 
 numbers of the Indians lived out on points and 
 islands away from the one on which the mission 
 premises stood, the people, in the pleasant summer 
 time, came from their various homes in their canoes 
 to the house of God. Very picturesque indeed was 
 the sight, as for an hour or so before the time of 
 service the lake seemed dotted with the well-filled 
 
 canoes of the well-dressed crowds of Indian men, 
 
 III 
 
1" 
 
 
 H 
 
 rjl 
 
 
 
 
 !., 
 
 iiit' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 women, and children. In winter the scene was com- 
 pletely changed. The frost had hid the sunlit, rip- 
 pling waves under an icy pavement, as hard as 
 granite. Frost and snow and ice were everywhere. 
 For the summer Sunday trips to the church Mr. 
 Ross had several large sailing boats and safe skiffs 
 that would hold all who wished to go to the morning 
 service. In one, manned by four sturdy oarsmen, 
 Mr. Ross and his family generally went when the 
 weather w^as at all favorable. In winter the dogs 
 were all called into requisition, and the sight at the 
 church, when on a bright day the crowds were as- 
 sembling, was as pleasant and interesting as in the 
 summer time, when on the bright waters were seen 
 coming the many beautiful, well-loaded canoes. 
 From the Hudson Bay trading post there were al- 
 ways a goodly number present both in summer and 
 winter. The officials and clerks prided themselves 
 on the quality of their dogs and the beauty and 
 completeness of their carioles and harness. Then 
 some of the Indians had very valuable trains, and it 
 was interesting to notice the number of persons that 
 would be crowded into or on these dog-sleds and the 
 strength of the dogs in pulling them. Very primi- 
 tive were some of their sleds, and mongrel indeed 
 were many of the dogs attached to them. Yet it 
 was surprising to see how rapidly even the rudest- 
 looking sledges got over the ground. The dogs 
 seemed to know that it was the day of religious 
 worship, and therefore their duty was to get their 
 masters and mistresses to the church with as little 
 delay as possible. Then on the return trip, ot course, 
 
 112 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 com- 
 :, rip- 
 rd as 
 ^here. 
 h Mr. 
 skiffs 
 ►rning 
 smen, 
 m the 
 : dogs 
 at the 
 ;re as- 
 in tiie 
 e seen 
 ;anoes. 
 ere al- 
 er and 
 iselves 
 y and 
 
 Then 
 
 and it 
 is that 
 nd the 
 
 primi- 
 
 ndeed 
 lYet it 
 
 ludest- 
 dogs 
 
 gious 
 their 
 little 
 
 tourse, 
 
 there must be no delay in getting them back for 
 dinner, r'or some winters a great tame black bear 
 used to be attached every Sunday to a long dog-sled. 
 He was called Napoleon, and Alec and he became 
 great friends. When ordered to start he would dash 
 off in his rough galloping way and keep up the one 
 steady pace until the church was reached. It seemed 
 to make but little difference, such was his strength, 
 whether two or ten persons were hanging on the 
 sled. At the church he was tied to a post, and there 
 quietly remained until the service was over, when 
 he at the same rapid rate drew his load home again. 
 Toward spring Napoleon disappeared and was not 
 seen for months. 
 
 It was understood that there was to be no racing 
 on Sunday, yet somehow everybody seemed to want 
 to go just about as fast as possible. The terrible 
 cold may have had something to do with this. Alec 
 was generally sent on first, or else requested to wait 
 some time after the others had .started, as his dogs 
 had become possessed with the habit of catching up 
 and going ahead of everything in sight. 
 
 "Supposing, Alec," said Mr. Morrison, a young 
 clerk of the Company's service, "that it were not 
 Sunday, I should like to run ahead of your dogs and 
 show you what traveling is." 
 
 "Supposing it were not Sunday, I should like to 
 see you do it," was Alec's reply. 
 
 "Supposing it were not Sunday, here goes," was 
 
 the saucy challenge of this young clerk, who thought 
 
 he had the fleetest train in the whole district. 
 
 "Supposing it is Sunday," shouted Alec back to 
 8 113 
 
M 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 him, for they were both on the Sagasta-weekee 
 route. 'I'll just go on and tell them you will be 
 along after a while and dine with us." 
 
 It was considerably later when the clerk arrived. 
 That afternoon, in conversation with Mr. Ross, he 
 gravely stated that one of the temptations of that 
 country was a disposition to travel rapidly, to and 
 from church, on the Lord's day. Frank and Sam, 
 as well as Mr. Ross, had been promptly informed 
 by Alec of the challenge and the race with this 
 young gentleman, and so when Alec heard the re- 
 mark just mentioned he gravely replied : 
 
 "Well, Mr. Morrison, you need not have any 
 qualms of conscience about your speed to-day. We 
 started about the same time from the church, and 
 it was a long time after I reached home ere you 
 arrived." 
 
 This bit of sarcasm, so well put in, so tickled Sam 
 that he fairly exploded, and with his handkerchief 
 in his mouth he rushed out of the room. Soon after 
 he was joined by Frank, and together they laughed 
 until they were sore. The hypocrisy of the young 
 fellow was so evident that they were delighted with 
 Alec's comforting remarks. 
 
 Mr. Hurlburt, the missionary, generally came 
 
 over and held an evening service at Mr. Ross's 
 
 house every second Sabbath. The alternate Sabbath 
 
 evening was spent in holding a similar service at 
 
 the fort. These services were very delightful. The 
 
 boys often drove over to the mission services in the 
 
 afternoon with their trains and brought back with 
 
 them Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt, and when it could be 
 
 114 
 
YS 
 
 1-weekee 
 I will be 
 
 arrived. 
 Ross, he 
 5 of that 
 f, to and 
 ind Sam, 
 informed 
 with this 
 d the re- 
 have any 
 day. We 
 urch, and 
 ; ere you 
 
 kled Sam 
 dkerchief 
 lOon after 
 r laughed 
 he young 
 ted with 
 
 Illy came 
 |r. Ross's 
 Sabbath 
 lervice at 
 ful. The 
 tes in the 
 lack with 
 could be 
 
 •m 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 arranged — which was frequently done — the two 
 sweet young daughters. 
 
 To Frank, with his powerful train, was generally 
 assigned the missionary, who was a large, portly 
 man; to Alec, with his beautiful fleet train, was 
 assigned the pleasure of bringing Mrs. Hurlburt, 
 and at first Sam had the exquisite delight of tucking 
 the robes of rich beaver around the fair young- 
 daughters from the mission home and carefully 
 bringing them over to Sagasta-weekee. This pleas- 
 ure was, however, soon taken from him. It was 
 indeed a happy group that assembled around the 
 hospitable tea table those delightful evenings. The 
 boys used to plead so hard to be allowed to drive 
 1)ack with the loads that they generally succeeded in 
 having their way, although Mr. Ross always took 
 the precaution of sending an extra team of dogs 
 under the guidance of an experienced Indian. This 
 was necessary, as not only did vicious, mad wolves 
 sometimes cross that route, but blizzard storms 
 might suddenly come up, and then it would have 
 gone hard with the boys with their young dogs to 
 have kept the trail. 
 
 Mr. Hurlburt generally rode home In the extra 
 cariole driven by this Indian. This enabled Frank 
 to take the elder of the young ladies, and we must 
 confess that, although Frank was ver- fond of the 
 missionary, he had not the slightest objection in 
 changing him for the daughter. 
 
 Frequently the missionary, with some faithful 
 Indians, used to make long journeys with the dog- 
 trains to distant places where no one had ever gone 
 
 "5 
 
 r 
 
 I =ii 
 
 !% 
 
 
 Mi I 
 
 m 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 
 ' •.':* 
 
 
 .,!■« 'Si I 
 
 
 
 before with the Bil)le and its sweet story of God's 
 love to man. During his absence his pulpit would be 
 supplied by native ministers, who, though not as yet 
 ordained, were eloquent in their way, and were a 
 blessing to their fellow-countrymen. Even the white 
 people who understood the Indian language used to 
 listen with great pleasure to some of these gifted 
 sons of the forest as they preached from full hearts 
 of the love of God as revealed in the gift of his Son. 
 In after years some of these younger Indians were 
 educated and ordained, and are now regularly set- 
 tled as ministers among their own people. There 
 were some of them, however, who aspired to be 
 ministers who were not a success. Some were too 
 ambitious. Some, not content with talking about 
 what they knew themselves, must launch out into 
 deep :^aters, and so speedily they came to grief. 
 Constantly did the missionary have them under his 
 eye, and many were the lessons he was giving them. 
 Some would, in spite of his best efforts, get beyond 
 him. For example, one ambitious would-be minister 
 said in his address before quite a large audience : 
 
 "Brothers, the missionary says the world is round. 
 I don't believe it. It is flat as the top of that stove." 
 
 y\s he said this he pointed to the top of the great 
 
 flat iron stove in which a fire w as burning, for it was 
 
 in the depth of winter. Of course the missionary 
 
 was informed of this daring brother's unbelief, and 
 
 a good lesson in geography had to be administered 
 
 to him by means of the map of the two hemispheres 
 
 hanging on the wall. He manfully acknowledged 
 
 to the missionary h's error, and promised to make it 
 
 ii6 
 
 ri 
 
 
vs 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 )f God's 
 vould be 
 ot as yet 
 [ were a 
 he white 
 ; used to 
 se gifted 
 ill hearts 
 his Son. 
 ans were 
 larly set- 
 ;. There 
 •ed to be 
 were too 
 ng about 
 L out into 
 to grief, 
 under his 
 ing them, 
 et beyond 
 minister 
 dience : 
 is round, 
 at stove." 
 the great 
 for it was 
 [lissionary 
 elief, and 
 inistered 
 mispheres 
 owledged 
 o make it 
 
 right with the audience the next time he stood up to 
 address them. This he endeavored to do in the 
 following manner : 
 
 '"Brothers, I made a mistake when I last addressed 
 you, when I said I did not believe that the world 
 was round. It is round. I have seen it. It is like 
 two moons flattened against the wall." 
 
 Of course this would never do, and so the mis- 
 sionary had to take him in hand again and give him 
 another lesson. This time he used his large ball-like 
 glol)e, swung on its axis in its frame, which was 
 supported on three feet. Patiently the minister 
 showed him how the world was like a great ball, 
 round in every direction. Attentively the Indian 
 listened, and carefully examined the globe and the 
 frame in which it hung. 
 
 '^A^es," he said to his teacher, "I was wrong. I 
 have it now. I will explain it to the people." 
 
 When the first opportunity offered he was as good 
 as his w Td, and so he thus addressed them : 
 
 "Brothers, I seem to be hard to learn, but I have 
 got it now. Yes, the world is round every way. It 
 is not flat even one way. It is round. Yes, it is 
 round, but then it stands upon three legs." 
 
 So another -and even more thorough lesson was 
 needed to knock those three legs away. 
 
 As a general rule the Indians who were appointed 
 to speak kept within their own depths, and very 
 sensible and appropriate were their utterances. 
 
 Christmas Day and New Year's Day were great 
 
 times of feasting and gladness at the mission village 
 
 among the Christian Indians. On Ciu"istmas Day 
 
 117 
 
 ler^l 
 
 
 m 
 
(f 
 
 p 1 
 
 il 
 
 il 
 
 il: :' 
 
 Winter Auventitres of Three Boys 
 
 all the men, women, and children, arrayed in their 
 very best finery, called at the mission house, and 
 were each treated to a large cup of strong, well- 
 sweetened tea and a big bun. Then they went to the 
 fur-trading post, and there received the gratuities of 
 tobacco and other things. Many called at Sagasta- 
 weekee, and were cordially received. The boys were 
 very much interested in them, and took great pleas- 
 ure in assisting Mrs. Ross, as on this day it is ex- 
 pected that the white people only will pass the tea 
 and cakes, and with their own hands also give their 
 Christmas gifts to the poor and needy. In such a 
 land there are many who require a great deal of just 
 such help. After the matters of hospitality had been 
 attended to there were many sports on the ice, and 
 into these all who desired to enter were cordially 
 welcomed. The boys were in their glory in these 
 sports, and gallantly held their own against the 
 lighter but more agile Indians. In the evening all 
 the trains that could be mustered \vere harnessed 
 up, and everybody who could get away went over 
 to the mission church for the Christmas services, 
 which, on account of the elaborate musical prepara- 
 tions, were held in the evening this year. The mis- 
 sionary, aided by his musical family, had been for 
 weeks diligently employed in teaching the Indians 
 to sing Christmas carols and other appropriate songs 
 for this joyous occasion. The native choir acquitted 
 themselves admirably, and everything passed off to 
 the pleasure and delight of all. 
 
 New Year's Day is, however, the big day to the 
 
 Indians, as it is on that day that the great annual 
 
 ii8 
 
■S 
 
 in their 
 ise, and 
 g, well- 
 It to the 
 uities of 
 Sagasta- 
 Dys were 
 :at pleas- 
 it is ex- 
 s the tea 
 rive their 
 n such a 
 al of just 
 had been 
 e ice, and 
 cordially 
 in these 
 ainst the 
 ening all 
 |harnessed 
 ^vent over 
 services, 
 prepara- 
 The mis- 
 been for 
 iC Indians 
 |iate songs 
 acquitted 
 ,sed off to 
 
 
 > 
 
 G 
 O 
 
 X! 
 u 
 u 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 11 
 
 ■ .41 
 
 4 
 
 [lay to the 
 tat annual 
 
 >-li 
 
\^^ 
 
 
 
 !r! !' 
 
 *f 
 
 III 
 
 M: 
 
 i't. 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 feast is held in the church. This Christian festival 
 has taken the place of the once heathen dog feast 
 and other pagan ceremonials that the Indians held, 
 with disgusting rites, before the missioni;*- es came 
 among them. 
 
 New Year's Day is called by the Indians Oo-che- 
 me-ke-se-gou, which literally means "the kissing 
 day." On this day the men claim the right to kiss 
 every woman they meet, and, strange to say, every 
 woman expects to be kissed, and is quite offended if 
 she is passed by without being saluted in this way, 
 which is so much more ancient and historic than the 
 meaningless modern one of shaking hands. This 
 Indian definition of New Year's Day vastly amused 
 the boys, and when in the morning Mrs. Ross and 
 Wenonah came in they, of course, had to be saluted 
 in the orthodox fashion. This was very agreeable, 
 but when the Indian cook came into the dining room, 
 in answer to Mrs. Ross's ringing, Wenonah shouted 
 out to the bovs : 
 
 "This is Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou, and you must all 
 kiss Nahkoomah, the cook." 
 
 Nahkoomah was not at all handsome, but she 
 knew what day it was and claimed her rights, and 
 so when the boys made a rush to get out she blocked 
 the way in that direction, while Wenonah bravely 
 cut off the retreat by the other door. Seeing them- 
 selves thus captured, they gracefully accepted the 
 inevitable. A resounding smack was given her first 
 by Sam, which was gingerly imitated by Frank and 
 Alec. The boys afterward said that it paid grandly 
 
 to give the cook the national kiss, as from that day 
 
 119 
 
 ■I 
 
 ■'.■ill 
 
 ,4 
 
 ;l 
 
V 1 
 
 m 
 
 M: 
 
 m:. n 
 
 i I 
 
 i >- 1 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 forward she was ever pleased to prepare them the 
 best dishes she could. 
 
 "I say, Frank and Alec," mischievously exclaimed 
 Wenonah, ''don't you know they keep Oo-che-me- 
 ke-se-gou over at the mission?" 
 
 This sally very much amused all, and of course 
 gave Sam a chance to remark that it was an elegant 
 day for a sleigh ride; that he thought Frank and 
 Alec's dogs needed some exercise; that the road to 
 the mission was in capital condition, and perhaps 
 they had better be off, and the sooner the better, for 
 fear the young ladies should wear the glass of the 
 windows thin, looking for their coming. Mrs. Ross 
 here interposed, and stopped Sam's voluble utter- 
 ances by saying that they were all going over a little 
 after noon, in response to a very cordial invitation 
 from Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt, to witness the Indian 
 feast and dine with them in the church. This was 
 great news to all, and as there were only a couple of 
 hours for preparation there was hurrying in every 
 direction. 
 
 "Put on your best bibs and tuckers, my hearties," 
 said Sam to Frank and Alec, "for this day is the 
 event of your lives. Rig yourselves up so gallantly 
 and finely that the sweet, blushing lassies over be- 
 yond will be so struck with your noble presences that 
 they will, for the day at least, imagine themselves 
 Indian maidens enough to at least comply with the 
 customs of the day." But ere Sam had finished his 
 long harangue, the blushing Frank and Alec were 
 hunting up their best apparel and selecting the 
 warmest robes for their dog-sleds. 
 
 120 
 
s 
 
 lem the 
 
 claimed 
 che-me- 
 
 i course 
 elegant 
 ink and 
 road to 
 perhaps 
 itter, for 
 ,s of the 
 TS. Ross 
 le utter- 
 IV a little 
 iivitation 
 e Indian 
 This was 
 :otiple of 
 in every 
 
 learties," 
 
 ly is the 
 gallantly 
 lover be- 
 nces that 
 em selves 
 with the 
 fished his 
 llec were 
 ting the 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Wliile all ire getting ready at Sagasta-wcekee let 
 us take a look at the feast, or rather first at the 
 preparations necessary in such a land to feed ten or 
 twelve hundred hungry Indians. About two months 
 before the time a great council is held. The mis- 
 sionary is invariably asked to be the chairman, and 
 a clever writer of the Indian syllabics is appointed 
 secretary. Then, as a matter of form, it is moved 
 by the chief and seconded by some other Indian of 
 influence, "That we have the usual feast on Oo-che- 
 me-ke-se-gou day." This is, of course, carried amid 
 Indian applause. Then the question next asked is : 
 "How much will each supply to make it a grand 
 success?" Thus there is started a spirit of emula- 
 tion that would astonish some white folks. 
 
 Big Tom says: "I saw the tracks of a moose. I 
 will give half of him, when I shoot him," he adds, 
 while the quiet laugh goes round. 
 
 Mustagan says : 'T saw the steam curl up from a 
 bear's den. I will give the largest bear, when I get 
 him." 
 
 Soquatum says : 'T have just heard of the coming 
 of the reindeer. I will give one." 
 
 Thus it goes on as rapidly as the secretary can 
 write their names and promises. Those hunters 
 famous for killing the game that is good for food 
 promise, as these already referred to have done, all 
 kinds of animals, from a moose to wild cats and 
 beavers. Those hunters whose skill is in killing the 
 rich fur-bearing animals promise to exchange por- 
 tions of the valuable products of their huntings for 
 flour, tea, sugar, and raisins at the trading posts. 
 
 121 
 
 
 i! 
 
^i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Everybody was expected to promise something, and 
 then he was to do his best to get it. 
 
 This mctliod of getting up a feast was a unique 
 one. The idea of subscribing bears that were in 
 their dens a hundred miles away, or moose, or rein- 
 deer, or other wild animals that were roaming in the 
 forests or on the barren plains many scores of miles 
 distant, was, to say the least, very different from 
 civilized methods. When the council breaks up 
 every man is interested in securing what he has 
 promised, or something better. It often happens 
 that the man who has promised a couple of wild cats 
 succeeds in finding a good, full beaver house. A 
 couple of these are worth more than the cats. The 
 man who promised a reindeer may be lucky enough 
 to kill a moose, and thus it is. However, they all try 
 to do the very best they can. As these various sup- 
 plies are brouglit in they are stowed away in the 
 large fish house of the missionary, where they speed- 
 ily freeze solid, and are thus kept sweet and good 
 until required for use. About four days before the 
 feast the wife of the missionary calls to her help a 
 number of clever, industrious Indian women, and 
 from morning until night the cooking goes on. 
 Early in the morning of the feast day the seats are 
 all removed from the church, and long tables are im- 
 provised that stretch from nearly end to end of the 
 building. One long table is prepared at the upper 
 end of the church for all the whites, who are spe- 
 cially invited by letter to attend. As they have all 
 contributed largely to the feast, of course, they are 
 welcomed. 
 
 122 
 
IN riiE Great Loxii Land 
 
 It is an interesting siglit to see that happy, ex- 
 pectant throng. Everybtxly, Christian and pagan, 
 is welcome. No questions are asked. See the piles 
 of provisions. Surely there is enough and to spare. 
 Well, they will need a great (luantity, for Indians 
 have great appetites, and then there are many sick 
 and feeble who could not come to-day, and they must 
 he remembered. There are over a thousand out to- 
 day, and while some scores are busy preparing the 
 feast the others skate, play football, toboggan, and 
 in other ways amuse themselves. Of course the in- 
 mates of the mission house are busy. To the mis- 
 sionary and his wife the Indians all look for direc- 
 tion and guidance. This is necessary, that every- 
 thing may go ofif without friction. In addition, they 
 have to be on hand to receive such white people as 
 may come from the various trading posts and other 
 places. 
 
 See, here they come from Sagasta-weekee ! Alec 
 is at the head of the company. His lleet dogs are 
 never happy now except when first in every crowd. 
 Cozily wrapped up in fur robes in his cariole are 
 Wenonah and Roderick. Sam has brought over 
 Mr. Ross, and to Frank has been intrusted Mrs. 
 Ross. The boys are now skillful drivers, and so no 
 mishap has occurred. Cordially are they welcomed, 
 and as it is Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou the ladies are gal- 
 lantly kissed by the gentlemen. With loving ten- 
 derness Mrs. Hurlburt kissed the three boys, and 
 said she would do so in place of their precious 
 mothers, who would doui)tless think of them on that 
 
 glad day. Then she turned them over to her young 
 
 123 
 
 I 
 
 ii' 
 
 J*- (I 
 
 m 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 »! 1;^ 
 
 !;; a 
 
 :!ti 
 
 folks, while she hurried off to meet the later arrivals 
 from the Hudson Bay Company's fort. 
 
 Sam was first escorted in by Wenonah, who, as 
 she met the young ladies of the mission, exclaimed : 
 
 "Now this is Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou, and we are all 
 of that way to-day." 
 
 Bravely did the blushing Sam pass through the 
 ordeal, and then Alec and Frank, in a way that 
 seemed to come quite natural to them, saluted in a 
 good old-fashioned way the two fair ladies who had 
 come into their young lives and were much in their 
 minds. 
 
 '*Sure," said Sam, "that's not bad medicine to 
 take, at all, at all." 
 
 At this there was a great laugh, for Sam had 
 blushed and stammered and acted as though it were 
 an ordeal of great solemnity. There was a lot of 
 fun and pleasantry for the next hour or so among 
 these happy young people, while the older ones were 
 busy looking after matters pertaining to the feast. 
 Frank and Alec entertained the young ladies' friends 
 with the latest news that had come in by the Christ- 
 mas packet. Sam, with Wenoi.ah and Roderick, 
 played all sorts of pranks all over the house. When 
 later arrivals came in and gravely kissed, not only 
 the elderly ladies of the party, but also the beautiful 
 young maidens. Alec and Frank's faces \vere studies 
 that very much amused Sam. 
 
 "Indeed," he afterward said, "I tlioujg^ht it was 
 
 going to be pistols and coffee for four, ruid may I 
 
 be there to see the fun." 
 
 As the tender passion had not yet struck him, he 
 
 124 
 
1 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 could thus afford to be amused at the ebulHtions of 
 jealousy that rolled so ominously into the young 
 hearts of the chums. "Black as thunderclouds were 
 their faces," he said, "as they saw these sweet young 
 ladies, whom they in their callow affections would 
 already wholly monopolize, kissed by a dozen differ- 
 ent gentlemen during the day." 
 
 "How do you like 'O-jimmy-catch-the-cow' day, 
 or whatever you call it?" he said to Frank, as he saw 
 him glowering at a Hudson Bay officer who had 
 just kissed his sweetheart. 
 
 "I don't like it at all," Frank replied, with gritted 
 teeth. 
 
 "You mean you don't like it for other folks," 
 replied Sam. "You took your medicine yourself 
 very well, if I am a good judge, especially when you 
 so lovingly displayed your osculatory skill on the 
 sweet lips of peerless Rachel, whom that young prig 
 of a Hudson Bay Company's clerk is now approach- 
 ing." 
 
 "I'll fight him," said Frank, and his hot breath 
 and clinched fists showed that he would have loved 
 to pitch in just then. 
 
 "No, you will not," said Sam. "Hot-headed 
 Englishman though you are, you are too much of a 
 gentleman to make a row in this clergyman's house, 
 and about his young daughter. But, Frank, I will 
 give you a bit of comfort. While the beautiful 
 Rachel gave you her sweet lips to kiss, she only 
 turned her rosy cheek to all the other fellows, me 
 included. So now no more of your English, 'I'll 
 punch your 'er.d for you.' " 
 
 125 
 
 'M\ 
 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 ■Hii 
 
1. 'i' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Here Sam's advice, helpful and needed as it was, 
 abruptly ended, as everybody was summoned into 
 the church to the great feast. Frank was happy 
 once again, as he was selected to take in his sweet 
 Rachel, while Alec had her younger sister, Winnie, 
 as his partner. Much to his delight, Sam came in 
 with Wenonah and Roderick. Indeed, they were 
 almost one and inseparable on such occasions. 
 
 Of the great feast and how it was enjoyed by all 
 we have written in other volumes. Suffice to say 
 that there w^as abundance for all. In addition, great 
 bundles of food, with packages of tea and sugar, 
 were sent to every sick or aged or feeble person, with 
 loving good wishes of all. The feast was pro- 
 nounced a great success. At the evening meeting, 
 where, as in former years, the Indians gathered, 
 with the chief in the chair, and where many speeches 
 were delivered by the eloquent ones of the village, 
 it was observed that among the happy things said 
 there were words of gratitude to their kind, loving 
 missionary and his family, and to the other white 
 friends, in every address. 
 
 It was also noticed that many of the Christian 
 
 Indians, rising higher in their thoughts, saw in all 
 
 these blessings that had come to them the good hand 
 
 of the Great Spirit, their heavenly Father, and so to 
 
 him their grateful prayers ascended, and the most 
 
 frequent word uttered was "nanaskoomowin" — 
 
 "thanksgiving." 
 
 ia6 
 
 Alt. 
 
OYS 
 
 as it was, 
 )ned into 
 as happy 
 his sweet 
 Winnie, 
 came in 
 ley were 
 ms. 
 
 ed by all 
 :e to say 
 on, great 
 d sugar, 
 5on, with 
 vas pro- 
 meeting, 
 gathered, 
 speeches 
 village, 
 ngs said 
 I, loving 
 ^r white 
 
 I. 
 
 'hristian 
 w in all 
 od hand 
 nd so to 
 he most 
 )win" — 
 
a. 
 
 H 
 
 a 
 
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 SI 
 
 3 
 O 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Indian School Examinations — The Prizes — Noble In- 
 dian Boys — The Skates to Kepastick — The Various Sports — 
 Foot Races — The Skating Race — Tricky Clerk Outwitted— 
 Frank and Kepastick Tie as Winners — Football — Hockey. 
 
 The day for the examinations and sports at the 
 mission school arriv^ed in due time. Fortunately, 
 it was a very beautiful day, although it was many 
 degrees below zero. But nobody now minded that. 
 There were no fogs, or mists, or damps, and the dry, 
 steady cold is always much more healthy and in- 
 vigorating than changeable weather in any land. 
 Everybody invited was present, and so the day's 
 full program was well carried out. 
 
 Mr. McTavish, a chief factor in the Hudson Bav 
 Company's service and the chief officer at the Nor- 
 way House trading post, presided at the school ex- 
 aminations, which began promptly at nine o'clock. 
 The schoolhouse was packed with the children and 
 their friends, v,::cept the large platform at the upper 
 end of the schoolroom, on which were seated the 
 white visitors from Sagasta- A^eekee and the trading 
 posts and mission. 
 
 The children were first examined in their reading 
 lessons in both languages, Cree and English. In 
 their own language they used the syllabic characters, 
 invented and perfected by the Rev. James Evans, the 
 founder of this mission. These syllables, as their 
 name indicates, each represent a syllable. The re- 
 sult is there is no spelling, and just as soon as a 
 
 127 
 
 lit; a 
 
 il' 
 
I ^ i 
 
 HMHMMI 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 pupil, young or old, has once mastered these char- 
 acters he begins to read. Three weeks or a month 
 is considered quite sufficient time in which to teach 
 a person of ordinary intelligence to read fluently. 
 
 Mr. Evans was several years in perfecting this 
 invention. He begged from the traders the sheet 
 lead that is found around the tea in tea chests. 
 Then, making little bars of this lead, he carved out 
 his first type. His first paper was made out of birch 
 bark. His first press he made himself. His first ink 
 was made out of soot mixed with sturgeon oil. 
 Many were his difficulties and discouragements, but 
 he triumphed over them all, and now here were hun- 
 dreds of Indians reading in their own language the 
 word of God. 
 
 The whole 1 "^ le, with some hundreds of hymns 
 and a few volumes of good books, Pilgrim's Prog- 
 ress, The Path of Life, and others, have been trans- 
 lated and printed in these syllabic characters. The 
 old Indians prize them very much, but it is interest- 
 ing to note that, just as soon as the younger Indians 
 understand English and get to be able to read in it, 
 they prefer it to their own language and books. 
 
 The examinations in arithmetic, grammar, and 
 geography were rather limited. It could not have 
 been otherwise in such a place. All were, however, 
 delighted with the splendid examination each class 
 passed through in Bible history. The Indians have 
 wonderful memories, and here the children delighted 
 all with their knowledge of events from the crea- 
 tion down, and the accuracy with which they could 
 
 quote long portions of the sacred book. The writing 
 
 128 
 
IN THE Great Loi . Land 
 
 also won a great many complimentary remarks from 
 ail, and it is safe to assert that very few schools 
 among white people could have made a better show- 
 ing. The recitations were good, considering that 
 they were uttered in a foreign tongue. The singing 
 was delightful. The children sang in the two lan- 
 guages, and the soft, sweet, liquid Cree did not suf- 
 fer in pathos and beauty in comparison with the 
 more vigorous English. Of course, a number of 
 prizes were given. A beautiful incident occurred 
 when the prizes for the best recitations of the four- 
 teenth chapter of St. John's gospel were being d\s- 
 tributed. Among the coi>ipetitors was a poor lad 
 who when a babe had been so bitten in the hand and 
 arm by a wolf that the arm had to be cut off near 
 the body. Competing with him were several other 
 bright boys. The chief prize was a splendid pair 
 of new skates, which Frank had generously given 
 for this competition. So even had been the boys, or 
 rather so perfect were they in reciting, that the 
 judges hesitated about selecting the winner of the 
 first prize. When the boys who were well and 
 unmaimed observed this there was a short, quiet con- 
 sultation between them, and then one rose up and, 
 respectfully addressing Mr. McTavish, said that the 
 boys who had two hands, as well as two feet, had 
 more ways of having sport and fun than Kepastick, 
 who had only one hand, and so they asked him to 
 have the judges decide that Kepastick should have 
 the skates. Noble fellows! but that is just like 
 young Christian Indian boys. The white people 
 
 present were much moved by this beautiful incident 
 9 129 
 
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 ii, 
 
 
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 11 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Bovs 
 
 of quiet unselfishness, and soon arranged that those 
 kind-hearted lads should not go unrewarded. 
 
 By twelve o'clock the most successful examination 
 of the school, up to that time, was over. The prizes 
 were distributed, and while all the white people, as 
 was customary, accepted the missionary's invitation 
 and dined at the parsonage, the Indians sped away 
 home for a brief dinner, and were then soon all back 
 again, to compete in or to witness the sports. 
 
 The first races w^ere run by some little girls. The 
 distance was only a few hundred yards and back. 
 These races caused a lot of fun and enjoyment. The 
 prizes were little handkerchiefs, strings of beads, and 
 other trifling things in which little Indian girls re- 
 joice, and of cou"se every little competitor must have 
 a prize. Then there were races for little boys. It 
 was great fun to see the sturdy little fellows so gal- 
 lantly strive for victory. Meanwhile arrangements 
 were being made for the more important races of 
 the day. The courses had been marked out pre- 
 viously with flags, and so every class knew its 
 course and ran accordingly. The fleetness and en- 
 durance of some of even the small boys were won- 
 derful, and great was the interest, and even intense 
 at times the excitement, when several well-matched 
 competitors gamely struggled on for victory. In 
 the races open to all comers the larger Indian boys 
 were disappointed that none of the whites had en- 
 tered, as they were anxious to test their own speed 
 against them. There were races worth going across 
 a continent to witness, and genuine and hearty was 
 
 the applause that greeted the winners, who came in 
 
 130 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 at such a rate that tlie white hoys, wliilc cheering 
 as heartily as the others, saw how wise they liad 
 heen in decHning to put themselves against such 
 runners as White Antelope or Spotted Deer, the 
 winners. 
 
 When the skating matches were called Frank 
 promptly entered the lists. His appearance was re- 
 ceived with applause. Even the quiet Indian lads 
 tried to make a noise to show their pleasure in greet- 
 ing the handsome, manly fellow whose splendid gift 
 had gone to Kepastick, the one-armed lad. Two or 
 three young clerks or fur traders also entered for 
 the race, one of them being the young man who had 
 so abruptly left Alec the night of his fearful race 
 with the wolves. The route marked out for the 
 skaters covered in all about ten or twelve miles. It, 
 however, so twisted in and out among the islands 
 on the frozen lake, that many of the competitors 
 would be in sight nearly all of the time. That the 
 intending skaters might thoroughly understand the 
 route, it had been marked out a week or ten days 
 before the race, and it had been thoroughly under- 
 stood that any of the competitors were at perfect 
 liberty to skate over the grounds and get familiar 
 with the different turning places, marked by little 
 red flags. 
 
 Frank, with Alec as a companion and irainer, ac- 
 companied by one of Mr. Ross's servants, who was 
 also a splendid skater, had gone over the route two 
 or three times, and so was quite familiar with it. A 
 little before the race began he was quite surprised 
 
 to have this Indian skater call him aside and tell him 
 
 131 
 
 t J 
 
 :■} liji 
 
"niiiay 
 
 mam 
 
 1* 
 
 ll»i 
 
 I 
 
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 l^' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 to be careful and keep his eye on the correcl route, 
 and also to guard himself against that young white 
 man who had deserted Alec. He then added : 
 
 "Watch the Indian with one arm; his heart is 
 good toward you." 
 
 Then, putting his fingers to his lips as a sign of 
 caution, the Indian quickly slipped away among 
 the crowd. This very much perplexed and bothered 
 Frank, especially when Mr. Ross said to him : 
 
 "Keep your eyes on the lookout for the flags — the 
 Indian lads are so familiar with the route that they 
 will not bother to notice them; and look out for 
 tricks from those whose faces, like your own, are 
 white." 
 
 There were perhaps twenty competitors in the 
 great race. As the distance was so long it was ;^ot 
 very essential that they should get off at the same 
 instant. There would doubtless be those who de- 
 pended on rapid bursts of speed to carry them to the 
 front, and so a second or two made but little differ- 
 ence at first. At the report of a gun away they flew. 
 They had all sorts of skates and all kinds of styles. 
 With ten or twelve miles' work before them, none, 
 except some of the younger lads, tried to do their 
 very best at first. Frank naturally wished to skate in 
 company with his white companions, but they sul- 
 lenly refused the offered society. Insulted and an- 
 noyed at this conduct, and remembering the warning 
 words of Mr. Ross and also of his faithful servant, 
 he just made up his mind to be on the alert, and if 
 it were possible he would be in the first of the pale- 
 faces. On and on they sped, until a couple of miles 
 
 132 
 
 :: 
 
liN TriE Great Lone Land 
 
 at least were covered. Then they had reached a spot 
 wliere tlie route lay between two rocky islands not 
 a hundred feet apart. The ice here was beautifully 
 smooth, and being well sheltered was as clear as 
 glass. Witli a wild whoop the Indians dashed on 
 across it, and at the same time, rather to Frank's 
 surprise, one of the clerks, putting on a rapid burst 
 of speed, dashed directly in front of him, in the cen- 
 ter of this narrow place. Frank, with his suspicions 
 all aroused, keenly watched him, and to his astonish- 
 ment saw him deliberately but cautiously let slowly 
 trickle from his hands fine streams of the white 
 crystal quartz sand of that country. To have 
 skated over it would have so dulled his keen-edged 
 skates that anything like victory would have been 
 impossible. There are times when the mind works 
 rapidly, and so it did here with Frank. The first 
 thought was to shout out and expose the villainy. 
 The next was to evade the trap and for the present 
 say nothing about it, and see what trick would next 
 be tried. So, quickly veering to the windward side 
 sufficiently to make it sure that he would escape the 
 sand, he rapidly sped along, humiliated and indig- 
 nant that a white man would try a trick that an 
 Indian would scorn to do. 
 
 On and on they flew. The route turned and 
 twisted, and in several of the windings it brought 
 them in fair view of the excited group on the mis- 
 sion hill who watched their progress, for now more 
 than one half of the route was covered. They were 
 now entering a kind of a maze among the islands, 
 where persons not thoroughly acquainted with the 
 
 133 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 i 
 
 11^ 
 
 H 
 

 Ml 
 
 t '1 
 
 I 
 
 -» t 
 
 WiNTKR AdVKNTUUI'S OF 'rilUKIC I)()YS 
 
 route rc(iuirc(l to keep a vigilant eye on the different 
 flags. In the front group was Frank, and closely 
 edging beside him, he noticed with pleasure, was 
 Kepastick, the one-armed lad, with his beautiful new 
 skates, now serving liim grandly and well. 
 
 "Chist!" said the Indian lad (juickly, and Frank 
 knew by the way that this word, which means 
 "look," was uttered that there was something meant. 
 Letting the boy glide just ahead of him, Frank 
 caught the meaning of his words, though uttered in 
 broken English : 
 
 "Some bad hearts change flags to bother Frank. 
 Frank keep near Kepastick. lie knows the trail." 
 
 These friendly words were uttered none too soon, 
 for Fnink saw at once that even some of the Indians, 
 trusting to the flags, were perplexed and some had 
 gone hopelessly astray. With a rush and a jeer of 
 triumph a white clerk made an attempt to fly by, for 
 once out of that labyrinth of crooked icy channels 
 the home stretch was as straight as an arrow. Frank 
 was for responding to his spurt with an effort 
 equally desperate, when Kepastick checked him 
 with : 
 
 *'One Indian, good heart, meet clerk's bad heart; 
 all right yet." 
 
 Frank, now completely bewildered, yielded him- 
 self implicitly to the guidance of Kepastick, who 
 moved on with all confidence and paid not the slight- 
 est attention to the flags. 
 
 Look! Away beyond the islands, in the distance, 
 
 shining in the sunlight, is the steeple of the mission 
 
 church. Just a few more w^indings in these tortuous 
 
 134 
 
 iV 
 
 is<i 
 
IN Tin: (iuicAT Lone Land 
 
 heart ; 
 
 him- 
 who 
 ;light- 
 
 tance, 
 ission 
 tiious 
 
 channels, and then the two miles' dash for hnmc. 
 Most of tiic Indians — for their skates were poor — 
 have fallen in the rear. The one white man whom 
 Frank despises is perliaps a linn(h'ed yards ahead, 
 and not far hehind him are his eom[)anions. With 
 intense interest I\e[)astick is watcliing them. 
 
 **Chist!" he eries a^ain, and his dark eyes Hashed 
 with excitement ; "the trail is ours !" 
 
 It seems that there ran out from that place two 
 channels that looked very much alike. The correct 
 one had heen flagged several days hefore, hut the 
 previous evening the clerk had skated over and had 
 flagged the wrong channel. Sharp eyes had heen 
 on him and had discovered his trick, and these mis- 
 placed Hags had been replaced at their proper posi- 
 tions, wliile the others had heen left as the villain 
 had placed them. Thus thrown off his guard, he 
 blindly dashed into the wrong channel. The rocky 
 shores were high and abrupt, and so Kepastick and 
 Frank shot by the trap and into the correct channel, 
 and were hundreds of jTiids out on the now open 
 Jake, with their faces toward home, ere the plotters 
 discovered, to their dismay, how they had been com- 
 pletely foiled. As rapidly as possible they turned, 
 but the distance could not be made up, and so to 
 their chagrin they not only found that Frank and 
 Kepascick had tied first, but that six or seven In- 
 dians, some with home-made skates, had wholly 
 beaten them. 
 
 As the miserable trickster passed Frank on the 
 
 shore some time after, in the presence of the chief 
 
 factor, Mr. Ross, and several others, Frank sternly 
 
 135 
 
 ^|i 
 
 li 
 
,il. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 1, 
 
 s 
 
 ! 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 looked at him and uttered the one word "Sand!" 
 None but the two then knew what was meant, but 
 the guilty rascal paled, and so trembled that it 
 seemed as though he would fall to the ground. Very 
 soon was he out of that company. Next day he 
 asked to be transferred to another post, which re- 
 quest was cheerfully granted. It was a long time 
 before Frank told of his contemptible conduct. 
 When Mr. Ross at length heard of it he communi- 
 cated at once with the head officers of the Hudson 
 Bay Company in reference to conduct so dishonor- 
 able, and the result was that the poor fellow, who 
 had not improved over such actions in other places, 
 was ignominously expelled from the service. 
 
 Meanwhile the other sports were progressing 
 finelv. The football teams crowned themselves with 
 many honors. The games were not fought on any 
 strict Rugby rules. The goals were set in the ice, 
 c*DOUt four or five times as distant from each other 
 as is t.'ie case in civilization. Then two captains were 
 named, and they selected their men and boys alter- 
 nately, until all who wished to play were chosen. 
 Then each side was lined up at their own goal. The 
 ball was placed away out in the center between them. 
 At the firing of a gun there was a wild rush, and the 
 side that had the fleetest runners thus secured the 
 first kick. The ball was not to be thrown or carried. 
 It was to be kicked, and could be struck with the 
 hand or head. The game was fast and furious while 
 it lasted. It was ahvays in ground, and there was no 
 hold up until it went between the poles of one or the 
 
 other side. The cries of "Foul" were never heard, 
 
 136 
 

 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 and umpires were only needed at the poles to shout 
 out when a goal was won. It was a jolly, lively, 
 easily understood game of football, enjoyed by all. 
 Generally five wins in nine plays was the rule. 
 
 The hockey games were like those played by men 
 and boys in civilized lands, only here everybody who 
 wished to play was paired with somebody else, so 
 as to keep the sides even. Everybody not otherwise 
 engaged enthusiastically took a hand in it, and the 
 fun was very great. Mr. Hurlburt, Mr. Ross, Hud- 
 son Bay officers, as well as all down to the smallest 
 Indian lad who could handle a crooked stick, had 
 a share in this game. The day was so cold, and 
 the smooth ice expanse so great, that the vigorous 
 exercise did everybody good. 
 
 The tobogganing games were given over entirely 
 to the girls to compete in, and skillfully and well 
 did they acquit themselves. The other minor games 
 also gave great satisfaction, and aflforded any 
 amount of amusement. 
 
 We reserve for the next chapter the story of the 
 
 great race of the rival dog-trains, which for long 
 
 years after was talked about in many a wigwam and 
 
 at many a camp fire. 
 
 137 
 
 
 I'i 
 
Winter Auventukes of Three Boys 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Great Race with the Dog-trains — Careful Preparations 
 by Alec — The Different Breathing Places — The Treacherous 
 Half-breeds — Their Signal Failure — Alec's Triumph. 
 
 And now for the races with the dogs. These 
 were looked forward to with the greatest interest. 
 All sorts of rumors were afloat of some wonderful 
 surprises in store. Fortunately for all parties con- 
 cerned, including the dogs, there had been a great 
 abundance of fish during the last few years, and so 
 every Indian wigwam and house fairly swarmed 
 with dogs, of all sizes and degree. In other years, 
 when fish failed and the herd of reindeer came not, 
 as a last resort against starvation the dogs went into 
 the soup pot. But they had fared better lately, and 
 so now they were all in the finest trim, and the 
 trained ones were as eager here for the races as were 
 their masters. 
 
 There were about a dozen trains that contended 
 
 for the victory in this next race. There were to be 
 
 four prizes given. Alec, with his splendid houndlike 
 
 dogs, seemed a certain victor. However, as from 
 
 different parts the dogs came into position and were 
 
 eagerly scanned by those present, it was seen that 
 
 there were many trains that would make a gallant 
 
 race ere they or their magnificently developed 
 
 drivers would even take a second place. Alec and 
 
 a young clerk were the only whites in the race. 
 
 Then there were three half-breed fur traders, and 
 
 the rest of the competitors were pure Indians. 
 
 138. 
 
irations 
 cherous 
 
 These 
 iterest. 
 icier fill 
 2S con- 
 i great 
 and so 
 /armed 
 ■ years, 
 ne not, 
 nit into 
 ly, and 
 ,nd the 
 IS were 
 
 [tended 
 
 le to be 
 
 [uidlike 
 
 from 
 
 Id were 
 
 !n that 
 
 ;allant 
 
 eloped 
 
 :c and 
 
 race. 
 
 :s, and 
 
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 ■1 
 
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 ■ 1 ' 
 
 t^M 
 
 , . '; 
 
 ; : 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 The Indian carpenter at Sagasta-weekec had 
 made for Alec a splendid birch tobogganhke sled 
 for this race. It was very light, and so the maker 
 had sewed and resewed it, and so stiffened it with 
 the sinews of the reindeer that it was as strong as a 
 piece of steel. He had fastened a seat in it so 
 cleverly that if the sled went over the seat collapsed 
 like a rubber ball and as quickly resumed its position 
 when the sled was righted. Old Memotas had 
 especially manufactured the harnesses for this event. 
 He made them out of the softest and lightest moose- 
 skin that Mr. Ross could buy for him. It took 
 Memotas a long time to get the right kind of traces 
 to satisfy his experienced eye. After testing a good 
 deal of leather he settled down on a set of very long- 
 ones, that would not at all interfere with the long, 
 springy movements of these beautiful houndlike 
 dogs. 
 
 The start was to be from the foot of the mission 
 hill on the ice. The route marked out, and along 
 which Indians had now been stationed, was first to 
 be the trading post, a distance of two and a half 
 miles. Here each train would be detained exactly 
 five minutes. At the expiration of the five minutes 
 the next part of the race would begin. This was to 
 Sagasta-weekee, a distance of perhaps five miles. 
 Here there was to be a compulsory wait of ten min- 
 utes for each train, and then the dash back by the 
 straight route to the mission, a distance, say, of six 
 miles. Some of the Indians wanted the distance to 
 be at least doubled, but this could not be allowed. 
 
 These races and prizes were only designed to en- 
 
 139 
 
mammim 
 
 hi 
 
 i i I' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 courage the Indians to be kind and careful with their 
 dogs, as only by such treatment could they be 
 brought to be of the highest use to them in that 
 land where they are so much needed. 
 
 Amid a good deal of barking, and some growls 
 from some of the more quarrelsome dogs, the cry of 
 **Marche!" was shouted, and they were off. Some 
 especially clever Indian trains were the first to re- 
 spond to the call and sprang to the front. Some 
 of the drivers were going to run ; others, like Alec, 
 intended to ride, while perhaps the greater number 
 would ride or run as they judged best in the excite- 
 ment of the race. Each driver. Alec included, had 
 a splendid dog-whip, but it was a long time since a 
 dog of Alec's was struck. Indeed, the first one to 
 receive a powerful blow was the leader dog of a 
 train beside which Alec was running. As Bruce 
 came alongside, and was slowly forging ahead, the 
 vicious brute made a spring at him. Quick as it 
 was, it was observed by his Indian master, who, 
 although more than twelve feet from him in the 
 rear, sent out so speedily and accurately that long, 
 heavy, snakelike whiplash that it caught the brute 
 on the nose with such force that, with a howl of pain, 
 he turned to the front before any damage had been 
 done. A few seconds later Alec and this Indian 
 driver sped on right and left of a couple of trains 
 mixed up in terrible confusion, while their drivers, 
 a white man and a half-breed, were in anything but 
 a pleasant mood. On and on they fairly flew. Alec 
 had been warned to guard against running into some 
 
 of the vicious dog-trains, as some of them had teeth 
 
 [40 
 
 I'i 
 
 '♦ 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 like wolves, and one fierce attack might easily dis- 
 able one of his lighter dogs. 
 
 Without mishap Alec reached the fort, and found 
 that five trains were there ahead of him. In a min- 
 ute or two most of the others arrived. Even those 
 tangled up had speedily unloosened, and had not lost 
 more than a couple of minutes by their collision. 
 Exactly as each train's five minutes expired, away 
 they flew for a long run for Sagasta-weekee. The 
 ice was in fairly good condition for traveling, al- 
 though there were long stretches where it was so 
 absolutely smooth and glassy that some of the dogs 
 would slip and slide in spite of their best efforts to 
 the contrary. On this smooth ice the Eskimos and 
 the mongrels had the advantage, as they had such 
 hard feet that they very seldom slipped. The feet 
 of Alec's dogs vv^ere perhaps the worse for these 
 smooth icy places, and so he found that it was neces- 
 sary, where the traveling was good, for him to urge 
 his dogs more than he had intended, to make up for 
 what he lost in the glassy places. Thus on they 
 sped, and when Sagasta-weekee was reached Alec 
 found three trains ahead of him and a couple along- 
 side of his own and others close behind him. Ten 
 minutes was the time allotted for the rest here. The 
 instant Alec had arrived Memotas was at his side, 
 and with him at once examined his dogs and com- 
 pared his train with those that had thus far kept 
 ahead. Memotas was delighted with the inspection, 
 for, while the other trains seemed about exhausted 
 at the terrific rate their drivers had pushed them. 
 
 Alec's were as playful and lively as though the race 
 
 141 
 
 S^' 
 
ll 
 
 
 !■ 
 
 i 'fi. 
 
 I 
 
 WiNTKR Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 had only bejT^un. So, barring accident or foul play, 
 llicre sccnicMl to he no reason why Alec should not 
 win with Hying colors. Two of the half-breeds with 
 very vicious trains now pushed on with four minutes 
 of a start. An Indian followed two minutes after, 
 and then in four minutes more Alec and those who 
 liad arrived at the same time as he did were again 
 ready for the final run of the six-mile home stretch. 
 Just as Alec was leaving faithful, alert Memotas 
 said to him, as he tucked him in: 
 
 "Be on your guard against those two half-breeds 
 and their vicious dogs. Try and not pass them in a 
 narrow place. There is mischief in their hearts. 
 Be wase." 
 
 *'Marche!" and he was off. 
 
 For the first time now his blood began to tingle, 
 and he entered into the wild, joyous enthusiasm of 
 the race. He had become an expert in the use of his 
 whip over the backs of his splendid dogs. Skillfully 
 he wdiirled it, and ics pistollike report rang out over 
 them, but not once did it inflict a stinging blow. 
 
 "Ho! ho! my gallants! With Scotland's best 
 staghound's blood in your veins, and Scotland's 
 names, my bonny dogs, for Scotland win the day !" 
 
 He must needs hurry now, for fleet trains are 
 around him and some ahead of him, with drivers 
 just as keen and eager to win as he, and every one 
 of them accustomed to dog-driving for years. Vic- 
 tors are some of them in previous contests, and not 
 one of them is disposed to see a white lad from 
 across the sea come and wrest their honor from 
 
 iheni. Whips are flying now in earnest, and the 
 
 142 
 
^s 
 
 IN THE Gri:at Lonic Lakd 
 
 >iil play, 
 )ul(l not 
 liU with 
 minutes 
 2S after, 
 3se who 
 -e again 
 stretch, 
 lemotas 
 
 f-breeds 
 
 lem in a 
 
 hearts. 
 
 3 tingle, 
 
 iasm of 
 
 e of his 
 killfully 
 )iit over 
 
 3W. 
 
 s best 
 
 Dtland's 
 
 e day !" 
 
 ins are 
 
 drivers 
 
 ry one 
 Vic- 
 md not 
 1 from 
 from 
 
 nd the 
 
 dogs of other trains are waking up to realize that 
 there is fire in their masters' eyes and strength in 
 tlieir arms and a burning sting at the end of the 
 heavy lash. With terrific rushes they make their 
 desperate efforts to forge to the front. Alec, excited 
 now to the highest pitch, calls as never before to his 
 
 dogs 
 
 "Marche! Bruce, up! Up, Wallace! and you 
 Gelert, and my bonny Lome. Ho! ho! Away, 
 away, my bonny dogs! Away! away!" 
 
 Grandly did they respond. They too have caught 
 the enthusiasm of the hour, and ' . in clocklike 
 unison in those long, light traces they stretched 
 themselves out and fairly flew over the icy surface, 
 they seemed to lift the light sled and its driver as a 
 thing of naught. 
 
 Steady, Alec! Keep well balanced now. You 
 ha, ^ shaken off every sled that started in this last 
 dash with you, but there are stubborn competitors 
 ahead, and there are rough places where an upset at 
 such a speed means disaster as well as defeat. But 
 he thinks naught of these things; his Scottish cau- 
 tion has gone to the winds, and wdth dauntless cour- 
 age he keeps up his cheering cries. Rapidly does he 
 gain on a powerful train ahead of him, and just as 
 he begins to fly past it the vicious leader turns and 
 springs at Bruce. He fails in his attempt on account 
 of the slippery ice, and falls directly in front of the 
 oncoming train. 
 
 "Marche ! Bruce !" shouts Alec, and with a mighty 
 bound the gallant fellow responds and springs di- 
 rectly over his prostrate assailant. Quickly follow 
 
 143 
 
 . I 
 
•iBT-aatBir--? -' 
 
 ^'ii"> ii'«jiif - 
 
 Hi 
 
 I Hi ' 
 
 r 
 
 •hi 
 
 |i iiji 
 
 II 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Wallace, Gelert, and Lome. With a stunning blow 
 Alec's sled hits the still struggling brute. Well now 
 is it for Alec that the cautious builder of that light 
 sled had strengthened it with deerskin sinews till it 
 was tough and strong. And so it stood that fierce 
 shock, and, with its sturdy occupant unseated, over 
 the great dog, with undiminished speed, it goes. 
 Before him now are the two great trains of the half- 
 breeds. These are the men and trains about which 
 Memotas whispered his words of caution. And 
 well is it for Alec that he was put on his guard. 
 Before them for a mile or so is the narrowest part of 
 the foute. The good ice in places did not average 
 more than from fifty to a hundred feet across. 
 Plenty of room anyone might say for three dog- 
 trains to rush by in at the same time. Yes, if all 
 are fair and honorable, but not wide enough for the 
 safetv of the third if the other two are determined 
 to stop him at all hazards. 
 
 If there was one thing more than another in 
 which Alec had carefully trained his dogs it was 
 for them to respond to his voice, and quickly move 
 to the right or left, as he spoke to them. Like some 
 other drivers, he had them so well trained that no 
 horse responds to the pull on the reins more prompt- 
 ly than did his dogs to his voice. As Alec rapidly 
 gained on these trains he observed that they were 
 running about parallel to each other, and that the 
 width of the ice was about the same between them 
 and each shore. This so equally divided the ice that 
 it made it difficult to decide whether to try and pass 
 
 between them, or on one side or the other. Alec's 
 
 144 
 
 li 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 first wish was to see if they were really working 
 together against him, and so he shouted to his dogs 
 as though he would dash in between them. At once 
 they began to close up from each side to block his 
 way. Quickly checking his dogs before there was a 
 collision, he then tried the call to the right hand, 
 and here the same plan was again pursued. It was 
 evident, seeing that they would both be beaten in 
 a fair race, they were resolved, by sacrificing one 
 train, that the other should win at any cost from 
 this white lad. Their dogs were large and fierce, 
 and at one word from their master, if a collision 
 occurred, would fasten on the lighter and younger 
 dogs of Alec, with disastrous results. So Alec, 
 who saw the plan, resolved that there should be 
 no collision with his train if he could help it. All 
 this time the speed was fairly kept up, and alert and 
 watchful was each driver, although not a word was 
 spoken among them. After a little more maneuver- 
 ing from side to side Alec observed that his dogs 
 were quicker to respond to his voice than were 
 theirs, and so he resolved to try and confuse them 
 and throw them ofif their guard. In this he at length 
 succeeded. When, with a great show, it appeared 
 that he was going to dash between them he suddenly 
 checked his dogs just as the other two train? closed 
 in to block his way. Quickly they saw their danger, 
 and tried to avert it, but they were too late. Their 
 own fierce, excited dogs sprang at each other as they 
 met, and ere their masters could separate them Alec 
 had skillfully veered to the right and was by them. 
 
 The coast was clear now, but fleet trains were close 
 lo 145 
 
, --*&■ .-» 
 
 II 
 
 (f 
 
 ^ ! 
 
 ill; 
 
 !^ 
 
 .1 
 N 
 
 WlNTRR AdVENTI'RES OF TlIRKK BoVS 
 
 behind. Tlie hlockini^ of the way liad necessarily 
 somewhat lessened the speed, and swift trains had 
 come up dangerously near. But what now cared 
 Alec? Springing to his feet, he swings his whip and 
 calls U) his gallant dogs. The distance is now only 
 a couple of miles, and direct is the route. How those 
 beautiful dogs do go! In perfect unison they spring 
 together, while Alec's cheering voice rings out: 
 
 "Marche! Bruce, my hero, my leader! and you, 
 Wallace, true to the end, and Gelert the avenger, 
 and Lome the fortunate! Gallant Scots ye are, and 
 this is our Bannockburn!" 
 
 Thus on he drives; and now before him in the 
 distance is the expectant crowd, who, having fin- 
 ished all their other sports, have gathered on the 
 sloping banks to watch the return of the dog-trains. 
 The day is drawing to a close, but there is one of 
 those marvelous gloamings of the Great Lone Land, 
 and so the whole scene is as visible as at noonday. 
 The vSpeed at which Alec travels soon brings him 
 near, and as the sharp eyes of many tell them that 
 he is the victor, and far in advance of any other 
 train, there is, for an Indian crowd, a great deal of 
 cheering, or rather a shouting of what sounds like 
 'Tli ! Hi ! Ho ! Ho !" from many a dusky Indian's 
 lungs. For Alec is very popular among them, and 
 they rejoice at his victory. The few whites are also 
 very much interested, and add their full sharr to the 
 noise and excitement that tell of Alec's triumph. 
 Of course, Frank and Sam were wild with delight — 
 so much so that they could not even shout. Sam in 
 
 describing their feelings afterward said: 
 
 146 
 
 I i 
 
ly THE CiRKAT Lone Land 
 
 "We could only yell, hut that we did in rij^hl good 
 earnest." 
 
 As Alec dashed into the midst of the checriui^ 
 crowd warm indeed was his welcome. Stalwart 
 arms seized him, and hoisted him up on the shoul- 
 ders of a couple of gigantic Indians, who at once 
 began their march to the front of the mission house, 
 where amid the cheering of the crowd a hlue rihhon 
 was pinned up(jn the breast of his coat by the trem- 
 bling fingers of an equally happy maiden, and her 
 
 name was Winnie. 
 
 147 
 
V. \\ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boyi 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Pasche Disappears — The Search — Big Tom and Mustagan — 
 The Whisky Jacks — Pasche Found in a Hollow Tree — Chased 
 by an Angry Moose Bull — Pasche Rescued — His Quaint Ac- 
 count of His Adventures. 
 
 There was great excitement at Sagasta-weekee 
 one morning when word came in that the stableman 
 who looked after the cows was missing. In fact, 
 he had not been around for three days, and the boy 
 who helped him in the stables was scolded for not 
 having reported his absence. The name of the 
 missing man was Pasche. He was a French half- 
 breed who had come up from the Indian settlement 
 near Montreal, several years before, in one of the 
 canoes of the famous Iroquois brigaacs that annu- 
 ally made the trip up the Ottawa and other rivers 
 into Lake Superior to Thunder Bay, and from 
 thence by Lake of the Woods and still other rivers 
 until they reached Lake Winnipeg. 
 
 Poor Pasche was ignominiously discharged by the 
 
 despotic governor of the Hudson Bay Company, as 
 
 being unfit for the laborious work of a canoeman in 
 
 one of those large canoes. The fact was that it was 
 
 only the most vigorous and muscular men who could 
 
 perform the tremendous task assigned them by that 
 
 tyrannical man, who drove his men on and on with 
 
 all the cruel, callous persistency of a slavedriver. 
 
 No wonder poor, weak Pasche gave out where many 
 
 a stalwart man has also failed. He had been a 
 
 sailor for some years on the St. Lawrence, and had 
 
 148 
 
stagan — 
 —Chased 
 aint Ac- 
 
 weekee 
 
 bleman 
 [n fact, 
 the boy 
 for not 
 of the 
 ;h half- 
 tlement 
 of the 
 t annu- 
 rivers 
 from 
 rivers 
 
 by the 
 any, as 
 man in 
 it was 
 
 could 
 )y that 
 n with 
 driver. 
 
 many 
 ■)een a 
 
 dhad 
 
 5^:' «<^</.«''A>J 
 
 Fasche Treed by a Moose, 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 the agility of a monkey in climbing up to the top 
 of the masts. The unfortunate fellow was left 
 stranded in that wild country, and so out of sym- 
 pathy for the poor exile Mr. Ross had given him 
 work and a home until he could return to his own 
 people. The kindness of his new master made him 
 quite contented where he was, and so year after year 
 he had remained, and to him had come the care of 
 the cows both in the summer and winter. 
 
 Now he was missing, and had been for three days. 
 The family was alarmed, as it was such an unusual 
 thing for Pasche ever to be away over a night. Mr. 
 Ross at once called into the kitchen all who had 
 lately seen him or knew anything of his latest fads. 
 Of these the poor fellow had quite a number, and 
 while some of them were sensible, others of them 
 were generally laughed at by his friends. The latest 
 one was that he imagined himself a great hunter, 
 and had secured some traps and had set them in the 
 woods in various places, most of them several miles 
 away. The last time he was seen by the stableboy 
 Avas when he had finished the morning work at the 
 stable. Then he had taken his gun and ax and 
 started off to visit some of his traps. When Mr. 
 Ross chided the boy, who had industriously attended 
 to all the stable duties alone, he said that Pasche 
 had made him promise to say nothing about his 
 huntings, for fear he would be laughed at. 
 
 A heavy fall of snow had completely obliterated 
 all tracks, and so there WdS no possibility of follow- 
 ing him up in that way. A messenger was sent for 
 
 old Mustagan and Big Tom, both famous Indian 
 
 149 
 
 m 
 
H 
 m 
 
 '■' 
 
 ll«^ 
 
 li 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 guides, and a consultation was held with them. 
 They smoked their stone pipes and talked the mat- 
 ter over, and then went out. After closely question- 
 ing the stableboy they returned to the Indian village. 
 Here they secured a couple of sharp, bright little 
 beaver dogs. With them they returned to the 
 stables, and there, showing the dogs a coat that 
 Pasche was in the habit of wearing, and making 
 them thoroughly smell it, they tried to get them on 
 his trail. All, however, the dogs would do was to 
 get back out of the deep snow as quickly a? possible 
 and into the shelter of the stables. The plan was 
 not a success. These dogs were too small for the 
 deep snow, and soon the old Indians gave up this 
 plan in disgust. Then they strapped on their snow- 
 shoes and made a long circuit around the place, and 
 thus tried to find out some clew or trace of the miss- 
 ing man. Failing in this, they returned to the house, 
 and after a hearty meal they equipped themselves to 
 find that lost man. They had but little to work on, 
 as Pasche had never revealed to anyone the where- 
 abouts of his traps. However, Indian eyes are 
 sharp, and so, unknown to him, keen hunters had 
 observed his doings, and could tell the locality of 
 every one of his traps and snares. Those who had 
 any knowledge in this direction were summoned, 
 and then, with the information thus obtained, the 
 two old rren set off on their snowshoes. It was not 
 long ere they reached his first trap, but the snow 
 cohered everything there. Then on to his next re- 
 sort, still no success ; and thus it was throughout the 
 
 whole round. 
 
 tso 
 
IN TFiE Great Lone Land 
 
 The Indians were puzzled and perplexed, and as 
 they had now been on the go for hours they kindled 
 a fire and awaited the arrival of some of the sleds 
 with supplies that were to meet them here at this 
 designated spot. The boys, who were equally 
 grieved and excited wnth the rest at the loss of 
 Pasche, with whom thcv had had a lot of innocent 
 fun, had harnessed up their dog-trains and joined 
 the party who brought out the supplies. The meal 
 was quickly prepared on the big, roaring fire, and 
 vigorous appetites made heavy inroads on the 
 abundant supplies which Mrs. Ross had sent. They 
 all noticed, while at the meal, the unusual number 
 of whisky jacks, the Indian's sacred bird, that were 
 at once attracted by the fire. They wxre all very 
 noisy, and seemed unusually excited. The Indians 
 are quick to notice the actions of even the most insig- 
 nificent birds when on their hunting or warlike 
 excursions. Many a lurking warrior securely hid 
 from the keenest human eye has been given away by 
 a noisy blue jay or a suspicious cawing crow, and 
 has thus failed in his attempt to surprise his enemy, 
 and has been obliged to make a hasty retreat. 
 
 In answer to Frank's question. Big Tom told the 
 boys how some of the wild animals are warned by 
 the birds of the approach of the hunters, and are 
 thus the more difficult to reach. So here the whisky 
 jacks, noisy at any tim.e, but unusually so now, at- 
 tracted the curiosity of those alert, watchful old 
 Indians, as well as much amused the boys with their 
 saucy ways. The birds, as usual, clamored around 
 
 the fire, and as long as a crumb or bit of anything 
 
 151 
 
 I; 
 
 
 tl 
 
I : 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 '» 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 could be obtained were very saucy and persistent in 
 their begging. It was great fun for the boys to 
 feed them, and to even catch some of them by their 
 feet, so bold and venturesome were they. They were 
 all, however, speedily liberated, as Mustagan and 
 Big Tom were anxious, if possible, to learn some- 
 thing from them. So the remains of the meal were 
 speedily scattered, and while the boys wrapped robes 
 around themselves and sat near the fire to keep 
 warm, the Indians, lighting their pipes, sat down on 
 a log near the fire to watch the actions of the birds. 
 For a time they fluttered around and scolded in their 
 pert, boisterous manner. Then, seeing there was 
 nothing more forthcoming, they began flying about 
 in the woods, but occasionally came back to see if 
 the next meal was being prepared. Seeing no signs 
 of it, they flew further and further away, and now 
 principally in one direction. 
 
 After a while the quick ears of Mustagan detected 
 a series of unusual cries of the birds. He at once 
 called Big Tom's attention to it, and they both de- 
 cided that there was something unusual to cause 
 them thus to act. Not knowing but it might be a 
 wolverine or a wild cat at which the birds seemed 
 to be so angrily scolding, while the boys and the rest 
 of the party remained near the fire they took their 
 guns and carefully made their way through the 
 woods to a spot where, without being seen them- 
 selves, they could observe the birds. To their keenest 
 investigation nothing unusual was visible. The new, 
 trackless snow was as yet unmarked by step of man 
 or beast. Still excitedly the birds acted, and inces- 
 
 IS2 
 
 A I I 
 
Pi! 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 santly scolded. Soon the two men noticed that the 
 center of their whirlings was a large dead trunk of a 
 tree that had been broken off between thirty and 
 forty feet from the ground. Around this stub of a 
 tree the birds whirled and scolded, and occasionally 
 some of them would light on the rough, jagged edge 
 of the top and seemed to be peeping down into the 
 heart of the dead tree. The curiosity of the men 
 was aroused, and they wondered what animal the 
 birds had there discovered. Immediately they 
 started for it, keeping their guns in readiness to fire 
 if it, whatever it was, should attempt to escape. 
 When they reached the spot there was not a track 
 visible of any animal. The birds whirled around 
 if possible more noisily than ever, and so it was evi- 
 dent to the men that there was something in that 
 tree. Drawing his ax from his belt, Big Tom made 
 ready to pound against the side while Mustagan, 
 with pointed gun, was on the alert to shoot any ani- 
 mal that the noise should disturb and cause to 
 attempt to escape. With lusty vigor Big Tom 
 pounded away at the old tree, while carefully Mus- 
 tagan watched the top. In an instant after there 
 were two very much amazed Indians. For from the 
 interior of that old tree thus vigorously assailed 
 there came the faint cry of a human being! What 
 his first words were neither man was particular to 
 inquire. It was enough for their quick wits to tell 
 them that they had found the lost man for whom 
 they were seeking and that he was still alive ! 
 
 At once they lifted up their voices and shouted 
 words of cheer and encouragement to the im- 
 
 153 
 

 i ,. 
 
 li 
 
 \ 
 
 
 i 
 
 il 
 
 l(i 
 
 1 
 
 u 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 1 , 
 
 i 
 
 kl 
 
 L-i 
 
 Winter . vdventurks oi- Thuee Boys 
 
 prisoned Pasclic. Then they called to the rest of 
 the party who were at the fire to hasten to them. 
 Neither the boys nor the men required a second call. 
 They were speedily at the side of the two old In- 
 dians who, for such people, were very perceptibly 
 excited. 
 
 At first the boys could hardly take in the situation, 
 but quickly it dawned on them that here was an 
 imprisoned, half-starved man who must be helped 
 out of his dangerous predicament. What had best 
 i> done was the question that ^lustagan. Big Tom, 
 and the other Indians were discussing. Some sug- 
 gested cutting down the big tree at once. This was 
 discouraged by some, wlio said that the blows of the 
 ax on the dead tree would dislodge so much dry, 
 dusty, rotten wood that it would about smother the 
 imprisoned man. So it was quickly decided that 
 he must be pulled out of the top where, it was quite 
 evident, he had fallen in. At once the tail ropes of 
 the sleds and the packing and tie lines, which are 
 also made of leather, were fastened together, and 
 an effort was made to get one end to the poor fellow 
 inside. In the meantime, while these preparations 
 were being made by the Indians, the boys en- 
 deavored to hold some kind of conversation with 
 the imprisoned Pasche. 
 
 "Arrah, my man," shouted Sam, "and what are 
 ye doing inside there?" 
 
 *T fell in," faintly came back to the listeners. 
 
 "Were ye looking for the cows?" persisted the 
 irrepressible Sam, who was a great favorite with 
 Pasche, although he often unmercifully chaffed him. 
 
 m 
 
rest of 
 them. 
 )nd call, 
 old In- 
 ceptibly 
 
 tuation, 
 
 was an 
 
 helped 
 
 lad best 
 
 g Tom, 
 
 ne sug- 
 
 his was 
 
 s of the 
 
 ch dry, 
 
 her the 
 
 ed that 
 
 IS quite 
 
 Dpes of 
 
 ch are 
 
 r, and 
 
 fellow 
 
 rations 
 
 ys en- 
 
 with 
 
 at are 
 
 id the 
 wath 
 him. 
 
 IN THE Gkeat Lone Land 
 
 "No, but a moose bull was looking U)r me." 
 This answer was the explanation that told the 
 who'e story; but, while the old Indians \ere able to 
 now understand at once the whole maiin", they left 
 it for Pasche, when rescued, to tell his story. So in 
 the meantime the (juestion was how to liberate him 
 as speedily as possible without injury. They hrst 
 tried by fastening a stone to one end of their impro- 
 vised leather rope to so throw it up that it would 
 drop into the hollo^v^ tree as into a chimney. But 
 although they succe dc ' several times in getting the 
 stone to fall in, y so jagged was the edge of the 
 broken wood that the rope would not slide down. 
 This plan failing, th_ next one tried was to cut down 
 as large a you '^ tree as the whole party could 
 handle, and then carry it and lean it up against the 
 hollow tree in which was the imprisoned man. Alec, 
 wdio was a daring climber, at once volunteered to 
 climb this, and thus carry up one end of the rope, 
 which could then be easily lowered down to Pasche. 
 Ere he started Mustagan handed him a ball of deer- 
 skin twine, and told him to put that into his pocket, 
 as he might need it before he came down again. 
 Taking off his overcoat, and tightly fastening his 
 leather coat around him with his sash belt, Alec gal- 
 lantly began his difficult task. It w^as no easy work, 
 as the tree was in some places quite icy and it was 
 hard to grip with his hands, wdiich soon began to 
 feel the effects of the cold. But he gallantly per- 
 severed, and, cheered and encouraged by Sam and 
 Frank, he at length succeeded in reaching the top. 
 
 Here for a time, after a cheery shout to Pasche, he 
 
 155 
 
 i 
 
 y \ 
 
* 
 
 1 ^ 
 
 I 
 
 iri 
 
 il 
 
 I 
 
 1 1 
 
 I 
 
 y It i| 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 rested, while he warmed his nearly frozen hands in 
 his warm mittens, which he had stuck in his sash 
 belt. Then, hauling up sufficient length of line, he 
 carefully dropped it down to the poor fellow at the 
 bottom. But now another difficulty presented itself 
 to him. He alone could not haul out the imprisoned 
 man, and the men below could be of little service, 
 as the rope if pulled on would surely get caught in 
 the ragged edge of the rotten tree. It was now that 
 Alec saw the value of Mustagan's forethought in 
 giving him that ball of deerskin twine. 
 
 Calling up to him Mustagan said: 
 
 "Hold on to the end of that twine, and let the ball 
 drop to me." 
 
 This Alec at once did. Then Mustagan fastened 
 a good solid green birch stick about four feet long 
 and five or six inches in diameter to the string, and 
 then said to Alec : 
 
 "Now draw it up and lay it across the top of the 
 tree, where it will rest firm and strong." 
 
 This was quickly done. Then calling to Pasche 
 to tie the end let down to him about his waist, and 
 then to hold on, he placed the rope over the strong, 
 smooth green stick he had pulled up, and then gave 
 the word to the men below to haul away. No second 
 order was necessary, and soon Pasche was pulled up 
 to the top. He had no difficulty in slipping down 
 the inclined tree, weak as he was. Alec also safely 
 reached the ground. Poor Pasche was quickly 
 placed on a dog-sled, and they all hurried back to 
 the fire, where some tea and food were hastily pre- 
 pared for the hungry, half-frozen man. He was so 
 
 156 
 
ands in 
 lis sash 
 line, he 
 / at the 
 ;d itself 
 risoned 
 service, 
 ught in 
 Dw that 
 aght in 
 
 the ball 
 
 astened 
 et long 
 ig, and 
 
 of the 
 
 *asche 
 ;t, and 
 ;trong, 
 
 gave 
 second 
 [led up 
 down 
 jsafely 
 Ltickly 
 Lck to 
 
 pre- 
 ras so 
 
 IN THE Gkkat Lone Land 
 
 weak and exhausted that it was thouglit best not to 
 trouble him to tell his story until they had all re- 
 turned to Sagasta-weekee. 
 
 The journey home was soon made, and there was 
 great rejoicing at the recovery of the poor fellow. 
 The following is his quaint story of his adventures: 
 
 "Well, you see, I was emulous. Les garqons — 
 the boys — they succeed. They capture le renard 
 — the fox — the wild cat, and other animals. xVnd 
 still they not natives. So I think it over when I milk 
 la vache, and Sam he pushed open la porte and he 
 show me fine cross- fox he caught, and that make 
 me emulous. So I take my wage le maitre he give, 
 and I exchange for the traps. When my work is 
 done, en avant, on I go to the great woods. Aller 
 a pied — I walk — I carry my traps, I set them with 
 much bait. I get nothing. Le chien — the dog — he 
 follows, he gets in the traps. Then I try again. I 
 go far away this time. I set my traps, I await with 
 tranquillite. It is far in the woods. I wait trois 
 days. Then I go to see if le renard, like Sam's, is 
 in my trap. Aussitot que possible — as soon as pos- 
 sible — I reach my traps. There is no renard. So I 
 return home. II fait nuit — it is night. Then I say, 
 A quoi bon? — What good is it? — and I stay with 
 my cows. But Sam he comes again and he say great 
 things about la chasse — the hunting — and so I say, 
 I try again ; and this time I take the great wolf trap 
 that hang in the stable, and I start early, and I go 
 far in the woods, and I set my traps, and I put the 
 big one, the wolf trap, set with a log made fast to 
 
 the chain, and then I retourner — return — to my 
 
 157 
 
'i I 
 
 li 
 
 n 
 
 lii 
 
 Winter Adventures of Tiirf.k Boys 
 
 duties. Three days i)ass, then 1 advance again in 
 the woods. It is far. 11 fait de la neige — it is snow- 
 ing — when I draw near. I hear a great noise. I 
 draw nearer still. I see the great moose bull, with 
 his hind foot in the wolf trap. He also sees me. 1 
 raise a great shout. A quoi bon ? — What good is it ? 
 He comes for me. Voulez-vous? — I say. So I fire 
 my fusil — gun — at him. Still he comes, for now I 
 remember I only had shot for partridge in that gun. 
 J'ai chaud — I am hot. He makes me so, he looks so 
 fierce. His great ears, his long face, all his hair 
 point toward me. I turn, I run. So does he run, 
 but it is toward me. Still he comes. He has still the 
 wolf trap on his foot. The log is fastened to the 
 chain, so it troubles him. Still on he monies. I can 
 keep ahead, on account of the log, Init the log slips 
 off the chain. So now he comes faster. I run, I 
 fly. I sec him draw near. He looks diabolical. T 
 despair. I see this tree like the mast broken off in 
 the storm. I learn to climb w^ell when I sail on the 
 ship. I rush to the tree with the moose bull close 
 behind me. I drop my mittens, I seize hold of the 
 rough bark, 1 climb up just as that animal, like le 
 diable — the devil — he rush up, and he strike his 
 great horns against the tree where I was, but I not 
 there, I just above, out of his reach. I dare not go 
 back. So up and up I climb like the sailor as I was, 
 and when I get to the top I find plenty of sticks 
 there, where some time ago the crows they make 
 the nest, and it seem strong, and as I could not hold 
 on at the sides of the tree I pull myself up and I try 
 
 to stand on tliose sticks, and they break sudden and 
 
 158 
 
 ^> 
 
f 
 
 igain in 
 s snow- 
 oisc. 1 
 ill, with 
 I me. I 
 xl is it? 
 »o I fire 
 • iiuw I 
 lat gun. 
 ooks so 
 lis hair 
 he run, 
 still the 
 
 to the 
 
 I can 
 
 )g slips 
 
 run, I 
 ical. I 
 [ off in 
 
 on the 
 close 
 
 of the 
 
 ike le 
 
 ve his 
 I not 
 
 lot go 
 was, 
 
 sticks 
 make 
 
 t hold 
 I try 
 
 n and 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 I drop, 1 fall, I sink down into the tree. 1 throw out 
 
 my arms to catch hold, hut the tree is rotten wood 
 
 inside, so 1 lose my grip. The wood it come down 
 
 with me. I sink into the depths, and there I was. 
 
 The rotten wood made a great dust as down 1 slide. 
 
 It nearly choke me. I cannot call out; my mouth, 
 
 my eyes, my throat all full. There I stay. I could 
 
 not climh out, the place too small. I could not work 
 
 up my knees, so there I stay. My heart gets very 
 
 sad soon. II fait nuit — it is night. I am lost. 
 
 Good-bye, I say, to all. I weep and then I sleep, I 
 
 wake up with a start, then I sleep again. When I 
 
 wake again, il fait clair — it is light — above and I 
 
 rejoice. The dust is all out of my eyes and mouth. 
 
 I can move back my head enough to look up and see 
 
 the blue sky. Then I call aloud, but there is no 
 
 response. I then remember I have some food in my 
 
 pocket. It is difficile to get at it, but I succeed. I 
 
 eat it, it is very good. Then I find I have my knife 
 
 in my pocket. I call again and again. I think I 
 
 hear a reply; but it is only the birds, the whisky 
 
 jacks. They fly across my vision at the top; they 
 
 look at me, they scream, they mock me. Never 
 
 mind, I have my knife ; so I will hope to cut my way 
 
 out. It is easy cutting in the rotten wood. But the 
 
 dust affects me. I cough much. I can v/ork but 
 
 little. I have to wait for the dust to settle. The air 
 
 is bad. When I get to the hard outside wood I can 
 
 do nothing, my strength is gone. It is hard to 
 
 breathe when I keep still. It is worse when I try 
 
 to work. So I give myself up to ^Me. I call out at 
 
 times, and I try to think of my fr ids, and I try to 
 
 159 
 

 iJU 
 
 i: 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 pray, and that comforts me best of all. Thus passes 
 
 this second day, and now I am very faint. I can 
 
 just easily move round in my prison, but I cannot 
 
 sit down or lie down. I am very tired. Still I call, 
 
 and more and more the whisky jacks come and 
 
 mock me. They seem angry I have nothing for 
 
 them, and so they scold, as they do at the camp fire 
 
 Avhen we feed them notliing. To-day for a time 
 
 they left me, and then they came back and seemed 
 
 to laugh at me, and then I heard Mustagan and Big 
 
 Tom call, and I was rescued. 
 
 "J^ suis fache — I am sorry — I went hunting. I 
 
 will go no more. Sam may continue." 
 
 i6o 
 
 m 
 
 1:6 
 
 I 
 : , if 
 
 It 
 

 Boys 
 
 "hus passes 
 int. I can 
 It I cannot 
 Still I call, 
 come and 
 othing for 
 I camp fire 
 tor a time 
 nd seemed 
 in and Big 
 
 unting. I 
 
 k 
 
 U 
 

 ',■ 
 
 The Mcetiiig of Kinesasis and Shakoona. 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 
 */• 
 
 •'^^ 
 
 ^"■\ 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Kinesasis's Wonderful Story — How He Wooed Shakoona — 
 Their Youthful Days — Miskoodell Rescued from the Bear — 
 Oosahmekoo with His Gold — Kinesasis's Successful Hunt — 
 His Furs Stolen — Marries Shakoona — Confiic. with the Old 
 Warrior. 
 
 The romantic and tlioroiiglily characteristic In- 
 dian way in which Kinesasis had obtained his Indian 
 wife was one that had very much interested Mr. 
 and Mrs. Ross. Tliey had known him for many 
 years, and had ever been pleased with the kindly, 
 helpful way in which he had always treated his wife, 
 whom he called Shakoona. ''Shakoona" means ''the 
 snow-white one," and those who knew her well, and 
 studied her quiet, gentle manner, said she was well 
 named. The terrible loss of her children had been 
 such a shock that her once black, luxuriant tresses 
 had become as white as the snow, making her name 
 more impressive than ever before. 
 
 The story of how he iiad obtained his wife Kine- 
 sasis was induced to tell one evening at Sagasta- 
 weekee, when fierce winds were howling around 
 the place and at times seemed to strike with such 
 fury against the house that they appeared like wild 
 beasts shrieking for their prey. As a general thing 
 Kinesasis was not very communicative on matters 
 relating to himself, but as Mrs. Ross, who had some 
 knowledge of how he had obtained his wife — indeed, 
 her mother had a little to do with its consummation 
 
 — had asked him to tell it for the pleasure of the 
 11 i#i 
 
Ill 
 
 Winter ADvrNTfTRT?s of Three "Roifs 
 
 boys and some good frieiicl-^ wbc had come over for 
 a day or two from the mission he could not refuse. 
 
 The great log fire roared in the large fireplace in 
 the dining room, while round it gathered the ex- 
 pectant listeners. Mrs. Ross had sent over to Kine- 
 sasis's little home and had brought from thence 
 Shakoona, his wife. She was low, like Kinesasis, 
 getting up in years, yet she was the same shy, clever, 
 modest, retiring woman she had ever been, and yet, 
 as will be seen, there was that latent courage in her 
 that mother's love can best bring out. The inevita- 
 ble pipe had to be produced and gravely smoked by 
 Kinesasis, and those who would smoke with him, 
 ere the talking could begin. When this ceremony 
 was over Kinesasis, looking kindly at Shakoona, 
 began : 
 
 "We had been children together in the forest. 
 Our fathers' wigwams were not far apart. With 
 other Indian children we iiad played in the wild 
 woods, among the rocks and on the shores of the 
 great lakes. When large enough to help I had to go 
 and in i ;, skill in setting snares for the rabbits and 
 part^idg'^; and other small game. The trail along 
 which I used to travel each morning, as I visited my 
 snares and traps, was the one in which I often found 
 little Shakoona getting sticks for the fire in her 
 father's wigwam. He was a stern man and cruel, 
 and very fond of gain. 
 
 "The years rolled on, and I was now a hunter, and 
 
 could use the bow and arrows of rny forefathers, as 
 
 well as the gun of the white man, which was now 
 
 being brought into the country. Shakoona was now 
 
 162 
 
 i 
 
 >l 
 
over for 
 >t refuse, 
 epiace in 
 the ex- 
 to Kine- 
 1 thence 
 inesasis, 
 T, clever, 
 and yet, 
 e in her 
 inevita- 
 oked by 
 th him, 
 Temony 
 akoona, 
 
 forest. 
 With 
 
 le wild 
 of the 
 
 d to go 
 
 its and 
 along 
 
 ted my 
 found 
 n her 
 cruel, 
 
 r, and 
 
 ^rs, as 
 3 now 
 s now 
 
 IN TiiE Great Lone Laisd 
 
 grown up, and was no longer a child, ^\t• often 
 met, and let it be known that we love 1 :ach other. 
 Shakoona's mother and the other mei!'!jers jf her 
 family were my friends, and they all ha ! ^:^o\\. rea- 
 son to be my friends, for one summer, some years 
 before, when Miskoodell was a little child, I saved 
 her from the paws of a bear. Her mother had gone 
 oiii: to gather moss and dry it for the winter use. 
 She had Miskoodell strapped in her moss-bag cradle, 
 with its board at the back. While the niother was 
 at work she left her little baby girl in her cradle 
 standing up against a tree. As the moss was not 
 very good just around that spot the mother wan- 
 dered off quite a distance to find where it was better. 
 While she was thus hard at work a large black bear 
 came along from the opposite direction. I happened 
 to be out in the woods with my bow and arrows 
 shooting partridges and what other sr^'all game I 
 could find, lor I was then only r. boy. 
 
 *' Where this moss grows the grr md .'^ very damp, 
 and it is easy to walk very stiP i caae along, not 
 being far behind the bear, and there the first thing 
 I saw was that big bear with that ba')v, cradle, and 
 all in his forearn s. He was standing up on his 
 hind legs and holding it awkwardly, like a man 
 does." 
 
 This last remark created quite a laugh at Klne- 
 
 sasis's expense; but Mrs. Ross came to his rescue, 
 
 and declared that the expression was correct. "For 
 
 a man," she said, "always awkwardly holds a young 
 
 baby — the first one, anyway," she added, as she saw 
 
 her amused husband laughing at her. 
 
 163 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ! - 
 
 "Go on, Kinesasis. You said last that the bear 
 was standing on his hind legs, and awkwardly hold- 
 ing the baby, as a man does," said Mrs. Ross. 
 
 Thus encouraged by the lady whom he so greatly 
 respected, he went on, and only modified his state- 
 ment by saying: 
 
 '"Indian men do, anyway. Well, there I was, not 
 very far behind and well hid behind the trees, and I 
 watched that bear, and I think if I had been a white 
 boy I would have laughed. Strange to say, the baby 
 did not cry, but seemed pleased to have some one 
 lift it up in the cradle. The bear would put his big 
 nose in the baby's face very gently, and it seemed to 
 like to feel this cold nose. All at once I saw by the 
 fine bead work in the cradle that it was the child of 
 the mother of Shakoona, whom I loved, the little 
 Miskoodell. Then I thought the mother of the child 
 must be lear, and while the bear is kind to the child, 
 as bears of that kind always are, it will surely attack 
 the mother when she comes. So, boylike, I resolved, 
 in my great love for Shakoona, to try and kill that 
 bear. It was well for me that I had some steel- 
 ])ointed arrowheads, obtained at the traders' shop. 
 These I had not been using, as they w^ere too valu- 
 a])le to risk losing in shooting small game. How- 
 ever, here was game big enough. So I at once 
 removed the flints from three of my best arrows, 
 and quick'y lashed on these long steel points with 
 sinew. 
 
 *'Ail this time the bear was still fooling with that 
 
 child. He would turn it round and round, and then 
 
 sometimes he would set it down, as though he 
 
 164 
 
 ; 
 
)VS 
 
 the bear 
 Uy hold- 
 »ss. 
 
 ) greatly 
 lis state- 
 was, not 
 IS, and I 
 a white 
 the Ijaby 
 3nie one 
 : his big 
 :enied to 
 v^ by the 
 child of 
 he Httle 
 he child 
 le child, 
 Y attack 
 ssolved, 
 :ill that 
 e steel- 
 >' shop, 
 o valu- 
 How- 
 t once 
 irrows, 
 ;s wnth 
 
 th that 
 d then 
 gh he 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 wanted it to walk off with him. At length, after 
 
 failing in this. It seemed to me as if he were going 
 
 to start off and carry the child with him. W^ien 1 
 
 saw this I knew that J must now try and shoot him. 
 
 So I crawled along on the mossy ground, and 
 
 dodged from tree to tree until 1 was very near him. 
 
 Once or twice I was going to shoot, but I was afraid 
 
 of hitting the child. All at once I saw him drop the 
 
 cradle and straighten himself up and listen. He had 
 
 heard something that startled him. It was the 
 
 mother coming back. Now^ in the distance I, too, 
 
 could see her coming. She had a large bundle of 
 
 moss on her head which she was supporting with 
 
 both hands. She had neither gun nor knife. 
 
 "I could wait no longer. I drew my arrow to the 
 
 head of my bow and, as the bear was standing up 
 
 with his side toward me, and his paws were w^ell up, 
 
 I aimed for his side, just under the leg, and sent the 
 
 arrow with all the force I could. I was perhaps 
 
 twelve years old, but I well knew, like Indian boys, 
 
 how to use the bow. My arrow struck just where I 
 
 wanted it to. It entered his side near the heart. 
 
 With a savage growd he jumped, but he had not seen 
 
 or heard me. He only saw- and felt the arrow, and 
 
 so that was his only enemy, he thought. That is 
 
 the advantage of hunting with the bow over the gun. 
 
 If you can keep hidden, with bow and arrows the 
 
 animals are not alarmed at your presence, but with 
 
 a noisy gun the animal knows where you are and 
 
 comes for you. So it was in this case ; the bear only 
 
 tried to get hold of the arrow that was sticking into 
 
 his side. He twisted himself round and round and 
 
 165 
 
 i 
 
I • 
 
 f'. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 tried to pull it out with his paw on the oppc^site side, 
 but I had vSciit it with such force that he could not 
 succeed. The more he worked at it the more the 
 blood poured out of the wound. lie seemed to have 
 forgotten now all about the child and the coming 
 mother, so I was sure he was badly hurt. But he 
 was far fiom dead, and very angry at the arrow, so I 
 thought I would give him another one. This one 
 I sent into the other side, as he was moving round 
 and round. When this second one struck him he 
 seemed to think that he was in the wrong place, and 
 had better start for his den ; and so off he hurried, 
 coming right by where I was hid. I still had one 
 steel-pointed arrow^ With this one ready to shoot 
 I sprang up before him. I was going, to try and 
 shoot him between the eyes, but at the sight of me 
 he threw u]) his head, and so I shot the arrow into 
 his throat. He gave one great spring at me, but it 
 w^as his last, and there he lay quite dead. When 
 we opened him we found that one of my arrows had 
 entered into his heart, and when he made that last 
 spring at me it did its work. The mother of Sha- 
 koona picked up the cradle in which was Miskoodell, 
 and found her child uninjured. She w-as of our 
 race, and therefore did not say much, but I knew 
 that T had made a friend. \ 
 
 ''Some years went by, and I brought my presents 
 and asked the father of Shakoona for her to be my 
 wife, but he was stern and cruel, and appeared to 
 have forgotten that I had rescued Miskoodell. In- 
 deed, when told the story he only said, *It was only 
 
 a girl, anyway, that was rescued.' Since we have 
 
 j66 
 
 
 1 
 
 ' ^ 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 become Christians, thanks to the missionaries, we 
 now think as much oi ;ne girls as of the boys. But 
 Wahbunoo, for that was his name, s[)urnccl my few 
 gifts, for he was very selfish, and said that he that 
 would receive Shakoona must bring many gifts, and 
 even the *Keche Shuncou,' the gold of the white 
 man, ere he could have her. This was bad news, but 
 T saw he was strong in his mind, and so I gathered 
 up my gifts, which with all Indian ceremony I had 
 laid at his feet, and without a word 1 left his wig- 
 wam. That night Shakoona and I met for a short 
 time, and we gave our promise to each other, and 
 vowed to be true to each other, no matter what 
 might happen. 
 
 As I saw it was a large price Wahbunoo wanted, 
 I plunged that fall into the forest with my traps and 
 plenty of weapons. My object was to hunt very 
 hard, and so be able in the springtime to bring in so 
 many skins of the silver and black foxes, with 
 beaver, mink, otter, marten, and other rich furs, that 
 I could change them for rich presents, or even for 
 gold, with the traders, and thus cause Wahbunoo to 
 look kindly on my gifts and grant me my wish. To 
 carry out this purpose I went far away, where I was 
 told by hunters that but few ever hunted and that 
 the game I was after was very plentiful. The reason 
 why it was so little visited by hunters was that it 
 was reported that great Windegoos, man-eaters, 
 there haunted the deep forests, and that many hunt- 
 ers had mysteriously disappeared. They had gone 
 there with great hopes of success, but had never re- 
 turned. The man-eating Windegoos, that were so 
 
 167 
 
 • II 
 ill 
 
WiNTicR Adventuuks OK 'I'liui:!': Hoys 
 
 great and high lliat they could hnish the trees aside 
 as they walked alonjj^, they said, had devoured them. 
 So it was said and helieved hy many. So great was 
 my love for Shakoona that 1 cared for none of these 
 stories, and was willing to run all risks for her sake; 
 
 !i. V and reac 
 
 I 
 
 :hed 
 
 and so 1 made the many d.iys' jou 
 
 those huntinsr irrounds. All winter ! worked hard, 
 
 '.^ {-> 
 
 and met with good success. 
 
 But while I was far away things were going on at 
 the spot where dwelt Shakoona that were to my 
 hurt. One day there walked into her father's tent a 
 great chief having on his face and body the scars of 
 many battles. But while he was surely a brave war- 
 rior he was a man of fierce temper, and some of the 
 wives he already had showed the marks of his fierce 
 anger. The top of the head of one of them was hard 
 and dry, for Oosahmekoo — that was his name — had 
 in his anger, because she had not quickly prepared 
 his dinner, rushed at her and, circling the spot with 
 his knife, had torn away the scalp; and still she 
 lived. This Oosahmekoo was the man who came 
 with his gifts to buy from Wahbunoo the beautiful 
 young vShakoona. He had gone of¥ with another 
 tribe in the south, called the Sioux, and in one of 
 their warlike excursions they had attacked a band 
 of white people passing over the prairies. They had 
 crawled up to them in the darkness of night, and as 
 the watchers had gone to sleep they had killed them 
 all. Among the pillage and plunder was a bag of 
 gold. The Sioux then knew not of its worth, so 
 they gave it to Oosahmekoo, and as he had been 
 
 much among the fur traders he knew it was valuable 
 
 i68 
 
 
'•♦•, 
 
 
 IN TIIK CIrI'.AT f.ONK LaND 
 
 and carefully kept it. I le had seen SliaUoona as she 
 industriously did her work, and wanted her for 
 another wife. When he entered the wij^wam iiis 
 manner was so proud and unceremonious that even 
 W^ahhunoo's temper got the mastery over his lo'"^ 
 for gold, and he refused to let Shakoona he the sixth 
 wife of a man who had no more respect for the cus- 
 tom of the trihe, and would thus act hcforc the 
 father whose girl he wished to huy. So he had to 
 pick u}) his hag of gold and leave die wigwam. His 
 having to leave in this way gave ':,:eat joy to the 
 mother of Shakoona, and to her hrothers and sisters, 
 especially Miskoodell, who was now a l)right young 
 girl herself. 
 
 **But (^1(1 Oosahmekoo, although repulsed this 
 time, was not to be easily put oflf. lie saw that he 
 had broken the usages of his trihe in the way that 
 he had acted, and so, pretending to hide his anger, 
 he found times to meet the father of Shakoona and 
 ofYer his gold for her. Without letting him know 
 the reason of their so doing, his family all seemed 
 very indignant that Oosahmekoo should have so in- 
 sulted the old father, and so they kept him in such a 
 state that he refused the chief's ofYer, but not in such 
 a way as to discourage him from persisting in his 
 efforts. 
 
 *The winter passed away, and I prepared to re- 
 turn with my heavy pack of rich furs. On the trail 
 of many days I reached the hunting lodges of some 
 of our people, who, being near, had frequently gone 
 to the village. There they had learned about the 
 
 efforts of Oosahmekoo to buy my Indian maiden, 
 
 169 
 
 \ 
 
^ 
 
 ^\^ 
 '^7^,-' 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
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 A 
 
 
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 ^ 
 
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 I.I 
 
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 u 
 
 UiSi 
 
 
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 < 
 
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 Sciences 
 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. M5M 
 
 (716) S73-4S03 
 
 4^ 
 

I< i 
 
 i i^ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 and of it they told me. When I heard it my heart 
 got hot, and I clutched my knife and said something, 
 but my friends urged me to be wise and careful, for 
 the old chief was cruel and powerful. Some of them 
 with lighter loads hurried on, and one who was my 
 true friend went fast and quietly told Shakoona that 
 I was coming on the trail. And some one else had 
 told Oosahmekoo, and had also told him that I was 
 the favorite hunter of Shakoona, and that I was 
 bringing home sufficient rich furs to more than 
 equal his gold in value, to lay at the feet of Wah- 
 bunoo. The news given to Shakoona filled her heart 
 with joy, while that given to the old chief made him 
 furious and eager to destroy me. With the help of 
 her mother, who remembered how I had killed the 
 bear and thus likely saved her life, Shakoona was 
 able to get away, and met me on the trail long before 
 I entered the village. From her I heard all there 
 was to know. She put her arms around my neck 
 and kissed me, and said she would die before she 
 would be the sixth wife of such a man. There we 
 promised that we would rather die than be separated. 
 We saw that we would have to be very wise and 
 careful, as my friends had said. I was glad to learn 
 that all my maiden's family were friendly to me. 
 Only a little while dare Shakoona stay with me. If 
 her stern father missed her there would be trouble, 
 even if his love for her was only what she by her 
 sale could bring to him. Before she left me I told 
 her that in due form to-morrow I would enter her 
 father's wigwam and open my pack of rich furs be- 
 fore him, and by their value would win his consent. 
 
 170 
 
I 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Then she kissed me and quickly hurried back again. 
 That night following was a bad night for me." 
 
 For a time Kinesasis paused in his narrative, and 
 seemed, Indian though he was, to be deeply moved, 
 while his aged wife buried her head in her blanket 
 and bowed to the floor. Mr. Ross, who knew his 
 story, respected the old man's feelings, and for a 
 short time oaid and did nothing; then he filled the 
 calumet and gave it to him. The tobacco and the 
 rest quieted his perturbed spirits, and handing back 
 the pipe he continued his most fascinating story : 
 
 ''Yes, that night I entered the village was indeed 
 a bad night for me. Evil eyes had been on Sha- 
 koona. Cunning steps had followed her, and sharp 
 ears had heard enough of our story to find out what 
 I was going to do next day with my valuable furs 
 that I had been eight long moons in hunting. As 
 I entered the outskirts of the village I was met by 
 a young Indian with the word that the wigwam of 
 my relatives was cold and empty, as they had not yet 
 returned from their hunting grounds, which were 
 in an opposite direction from the way in which I had 
 come. Verv cordial seemed the invitation of that 
 man for me to rest that night in his wigwam, which 
 was a large one, being made of many dressed buf- 
 falo skins sewed together. 
 
 "Without any distrust I accepted his invitation, 
 
 as was the manner of our people, and was glad to 
 
 unstrap my hoavy load of furs, as well as my gun 
 
 and traps and blanket. With much more attention 
 
 than is generally shown to one thus coming in, this 
 
 Indian helped me in various ways. With a good 
 
 171 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
.' i 
 
 
 '4 
 
 It ' 
 
 )l 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 deal of show he hung up my gun and traps for me, 
 
 and placed my pack of furs tightly back against the 
 
 leather wall of the wigwam. In the meantime fish 
 
 and venison were brought in, and a good supper was 
 
 prepared and eaten. Afterward we smoked and 
 
 talked for some time, and then prepared to sleep. 
 
 Noticing that the wind outside was rising, he 
 
 showed me a place where I could spread my blanket 
 
 where there would be no draft, but it was away from 
 
 my pack of furs. At first I thought I would bring 
 
 my furs from the place where they had been put 
 
 and place them at my head, but this I saw would 
 
 give offense, and now as some young children were 
 
 lying down to sleep near them there was not enough 
 
 room for me. Still a little fearful, I made an excuse 
 
 and stepped out of the wigwam for a minute. There 
 
 T saw that the snow was well piled up against the 
 
 leather wall all around. This quieted my fears, and 
 
 so I returned into the wigwam, and being very 
 
 weary was soon fast asleep. Tn the morning my 
 
 furs were gone! A thief in the night had cut 
 
 through the leather, making a hole so large that he 
 
 could easily and noiselessly lift out my pack of furs. 
 
 He had left the upper part uncut, so that as quickly 
 
 as he had obtained the pack he could let the leather 
 
 down again and thus cover up the hole. For fear 
 
 the wind should get in and disturb the inmates he 
 
 had quietly laid a large deerskin over the whole 
 
 place on the outside. I was in a sad state the next 
 
 morning, but I kept my lips closed and said but 
 
 little. The Indian family were much excited and 
 
 angry at the theft. The young Indian who had in- 
 
 172 . 
 
k'S 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 for me, 
 inst the 
 ime fish 
 per was 
 ed and 
 3 sleep, 
 ng, he 
 blanket 
 ly from 
 :l bring 
 !en put 
 
 would 
 n were 
 enough 
 excuse 
 
 There 
 1st the 
 "s, and 
 ^ very 
 ig my 
 id cut 
 hat he 
 f furs, 
 uickly 
 eather 
 r fear 
 tes he 
 whole 
 : next 
 1 but 
 1 and 
 id in- 
 
 vited me in made a greater ado than anyone. I sus- 
 pected him at once of being the one who had robbed 
 me, but I had then no evidence, and so carefully held 
 my tongue. But I thought a great deal, and in time 
 1 foinid out that he was in the plot. 
 
 "What to do I knew not. However, refusing to 
 again eat under the wigwam where I had been so 
 robbed, I took my gun, blanket, and traps and 
 pushed on to the wigwam of my friends, and to my 
 surprise found them in it, and there they had been 
 for some days. Then I knew that that young Indian 
 was an enemy. To my friends 1 told of my success, 
 and of my loss. We set about the recovery of them 
 at once. Runners were sent to every trading post 
 describing the contents of the packs and telling the 
 traders the circumstances of the robbery. There 
 was great indignation. Such robberies are very rare. 
 If the thieves are found out they are generally 
 qtiickly poisoned by the conjurers of the tribe. That 
 is one of the things they are expected to do. A rob- 
 ber of traps or furs is soon poisoned. Then the 
 traders themselves are down on these things. So 
 the storv of the theft was soon known, but the furs 
 were not recovered until a long time after. 
 
 ''Wahbunoo was very cold and repellent. He 
 
 would not believe my story, and so refused to have 
 
 me come to his wigwam. So Shakoona and I had 
 
 to meet when we could, and that was not often, for 
 
 the father was cruel and Oosahmekoo had many 
 
 spies. Still, we had many friends. Miskoodell, the 
 
 little sister, was sharp and shrewd, and helped us 
 
 greatly by warning us of danger. So did her 
 
 173 
 
:. 1 
 
 p 
 
 
 \ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 brother, Netahwatee. He was a good hunter, and 
 had friends who had seen the furs. He had been on 
 the alert, and had found out that the young Indian 
 who had invited me into his wigwam had (hiring the 
 winter hung around the tent and had asked Sha- 
 koona to be his wife. She had repelled him with 
 scorn, and Netahwatee had told him that she was 
 fond of Kinesasis, and that even now he was away 
 in the forest hunting, to bring in sufficient rich furs 
 to buy the consent of their father. At this news 
 from Netahwatee, he arose and left the tent, but he 
 ground his teeth as he went out. After that he was 
 often seen in earnest talk with Oosahmekoo, the old 
 chief, and it was the belief of many that they had 
 been the ones who had planne ' the stealing of the 
 furs. But they were cunning, and so covered up the 
 tracks that a long time passed ere the truth came out. 
 But, although some of the family were friendly to- 
 ward me, the father of Shakoona turned more and 
 more against us. The gold of the old chief was 
 offered again and again, and at length I heard that 
 there was a likelihood that he would yield, although 
 Shakoona still declared that she would throw her- 
 self from the cliff into the lake rather than marry 
 him. And this I think she would have done, for we 
 loved each other, and do still." 
 
 Here the old man stooped over and, tenderly lift- 
 ing up the head of his aged wife, kissed her on the 
 forehead. 
 
 "One day some little boys out hunting rabbits 
 
 among the great rocks overheard some earnest talk- 
 
 At first they were frightened, and were about 
 
 174 
 
 mg. 
 
YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ter, and 
 been on 
 r Indian 
 ring the 
 ed Sha- 
 im with 
 she was 
 is away 
 ich furs 
 is news 
 but he 
 he was 
 the old 
 ey had 
 of the 
 up the 
 ne out. 
 dly to- 
 re and 
 'f was 
 d that 
 hough 
 V her- 
 marry 
 or we 
 
 y lift- 
 •n the 
 
 ibbits 
 
 talk- 
 
 ibout 
 
 running home when one of them, who was Sha- 
 koona's youngest brother, proposed that they creep 
 to the top of the rocks and try and see who the 
 talkers were on the other side. Noiselessly they 
 crawled to the top, and then as they peeked over 
 whom should they see but Wahbunoo and Oosahme- 
 koo in earnest talk ? They saw the chief with a fire 
 bag that seemed heavy and saw him offer it to 
 Wahbunoo, who took it and held it. Then the little 
 boys slid down the rocks and returned to the tents. 
 Netahwatee's little brother told what he had seen, 
 and the brother told his mother and Miskoodell. 
 They talked it over, and Miskoodell was sent to 
 warn us of what was being done. 
 
 "So that very night we quietly left the village and 
 hurried to a place where Netahwatee, who had gone 
 on some hours before, met us with a white man, a 
 missionary. He was pleased to hear from Netah- 
 watee that there was an Indian couple who wanted 
 to be married by the Book, in the Christian way, and 
 not in the old pagan Indian manner; but," said 
 Kinesasis, with a bit of a twinkle in his eye; "he did 
 think it was a queer idea of ours that we wanted to 
 be married out there in the forest by moonlight. 
 However, as we had with us what he called wit- 
 nesses, he married us. We did not then return to the 
 village, but went off with some friendly relatives at 
 a trading post where the Indians were all Christians. 
 Netahwatee and the others who had been with us 
 went back at once and told how we had met the 
 missionary and had been married with the Book. 
 
 Strange to say, when Wahbunoo heard this he said 
 
 175 
 
Fi 
 
 1 HB 
 
 ^^B; 
 
 ^^^K 
 
 ;; ii 
 
 m It' 
 
 11 
 
 f f^ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 he ilid not care, and would not oppose us as we were 
 married by the Book, xle was very superstitious, 
 and was afraid that evil vvould come to him if he 
 seemed to be angry with anyMie who had had any- 
 thing to do with the Book. 
 
 "It was very different, however, with Oosahme- 
 koo, the old chief. He was wild with anger. He 
 made many threats. He was not as cunning as he 
 generally was, and so he told his plans to get re- 
 vcn ;e. He was going to waylay me and kill me on 
 the trail. Some of my friends overheard his threats, 
 and a swift runner put me on my guard. I felt that 
 my youth was a match for his years, and then I had 
 won my loved Shakcona. So I had no fear. I left 
 my wife among friends, and I started on the return 
 trail. We met in conflict, and I was not hurt. He 
 was quietly buried the next day." 
 
 Here Kinesasis ceased. He could say no more 
 
 that night, the memory of the battle came up so 
 
 vividly before him, although many years had passed 
 
 away since it had occurred. Since then he and his 
 
 old wife had become Christians. He paused for an 
 
 instant, and then went over to the place where on the 
 
 floor the heroine of his story, his true little wife, had 
 
 sat during the long recita'. Then tucking her arm 
 
 in his, as lovingly and as affectionately as any white 
 
 man could have done, they quickly slipped out of the 
 
 house and returned to their own little dwelling place. 
 
 176 
 
 
 i 
 
 p<' 
 
YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 we were 
 •stitious, 
 m if he 
 lad any- 
 
 osahme- 
 er. He 
 ig as he 
 get re- 
 1 me on 
 threats, 
 :elt that 
 n I had 
 Heft 
 : return 
 rt. He 
 
 ) more 
 up so 
 passed 
 nd his 
 for an 
 on the 
 e, had 
 r arm 
 white 
 of the 
 place. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Conlmehts otl Kttlesasis's Wonderful Story — The Pack of 
 Furs Recovered— Honesty of Indians — Their Different Hunt- 
 mg Grounds — Tho Golden Rule — The Dishonest Foreign In- 
 dian—His Sudden Death. 
 
 The next morning the wonderful story of Klne- 
 sasis, which had produced such a deep impression on 
 all, was thoroughly discussed. During its recital 
 some one had quietly turned down the lamps, and 
 thus the lights from the bright fireplace had full play 
 upon him. This seemed to add to the effect of the 
 scene, as frequently Kinesasis, in his intense earnest- 
 ness and few but strong movements, stood in the 
 Ijright light or turned into a shadowy place. As the 
 story was light and shadowy itself, so also seemed 
 in appearance this dramatic old Indian so eloquent 
 with his theme. He had deeply stirred and excited 
 the boys as he had moved along in his story; and 
 not only this, but he had changed their ideas con- 
 cerning him. This complete revulsion of feeling had 
 come at the close, when the old Indian, whom they 
 had thought was so cold and destitute of sentiment, 
 had stooped down and kissed his wife, as he had 
 also done before during the recital of the story. It 
 was done in a way that was so real and genuine that 
 it completely broke them down. They declared that 
 morning that they would not quickly judge anyone 
 again. They had thought him phlegmatic and un- 
 lovable, and now^ here had come out from the heart 
 
 of this Indian, of such a rugged exterior, a story 
 12 177 
 
i, I 
 
 I* 
 
 < ■ I, 
 
 
 J: 
 
 U i :■;: 
 
 tl 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 and an exhibition of love and devotion more genuine 
 and beautiful than any that had ever been revealed 
 to them in song or story. 
 
 "And for very many years," said Mrs. Ross, "he 
 has been kind and true to that quiet, industrious 
 little wife, who as a young maiden was so true to 
 him and would undoubtedly have died rather than 
 marry that chief." 
 
 "What about his pack of furs?" said Frank. 
 "And did they find out the thief and put the con- 
 jurers after him?" 
 
 "I am glad you have mentioned it," said Mr. 
 Ross. "I have heard Kinesasis tell the story of their 
 recovery, and will give you his version of it. As 
 regards the actual transgressors, they must have 
 been the old chief who was killed and the young 
 Indian whom Shakoona had refused. When the 
 old chief was killed the young fellow disappeared 
 and was never heard of afterward. When the 
 leather wigwam that had been cut into was care- 
 fully examined it was found that the knife had been 
 used on the inside, and that the great pack of furs 
 had been handed out, so there must have been at 
 least two persons engaged in the robbery. Weeks 
 later some women out snaring rabbits in a dense 
 swampy place found the pack cached up among the 
 branches of a great spruce tree. It was so completely 
 hidden in the close branches that it was a won- 
 der that they ever discovered it. The only clew they 
 had was that a great wolverine came tumbling out 
 of the tree and hurried away into the dense forest. 
 
 The women, like the men, knew what clever animals 
 
 178 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 h 
 
 I 
 
>YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ; genuine 
 revealed 
 
 Loss, "he 
 lustrious 
 ) true to 
 her than 
 
 . Frank, 
 the con- 
 
 ;aid Mr. 
 
 ' of their 
 
 • it. As 
 
 4st have 
 
 e young 
 
 '^hen the 
 
 ippeared 
 
 hen the 
 
 as care- 
 
 lad been 
 
 of furs 
 
 3een at 
 
 Weeks 
 
 dense 
 
 ong the 
 
 npletely 
 
 won- 
 
 ew they 
 
 ing out 
 
 forest. 
 
 animals 
 
 I 
 
 these wolverines are to find out where venison or 
 other game has been hid away until needed. So, as 
 their curiosity was excited, they carefully searched 
 the tree, which was very large one, and there in 
 among the dense bnniches the> found the pack of 
 Kinesasis. They were not able to reach it, but re- 
 ported their discovery when (hey returned to the 
 village. Kinesasis and others were soon after it. It 
 was well that they found it when they did, as the 
 wolverine had cut through the outer coverings of 
 deerskin and had already ruined several valuable 
 furs. In an hour more there would have been noth- 
 ing worth taking away, so terribly destructive are 
 these animals when they thus find anything of fur or 
 game. 
 
 ''Strange to say, old Wahbunoo would not accept 
 anything from Kinesasis. The death of the old 
 chief had very much disturbed >im, and it also gave 
 him such an idea of Kinesasis's prowess that he had 
 to respect him. The bag of gold also disappeared, 
 and to this day none knows what became of it. Kine- 
 sasis carried his furs t • the Hudson Bay Company's 
 store, and received enough for them to make him 
 and Shakoona comfortable for many a day." 
 
 *T have alwavs heard that Indians were so honest 
 with each other about their furs and traps," said 
 Alec; "but this stealing of Kinesasis's whole pack 
 seems to knock that idea over. What are we to 
 believe about it?" 
 
 "What you have heard about the honesty of the 
 Indians is the truth," said Mr. Ross. "This steal- 
 ing of the furs of Kinesasis was not an ordinary 
 
 179 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
1.1, 
 
 I 
 
 Jl! 
 
 !l 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 llicft for |;ain. The object of it was to prevent liini 
 from having snfficient f^ifts to satisfy the father of 
 the maiden of his choice. The fact that the fnrs 
 were hid away as they were showed this. They 
 could not bury them, as the ground was frozen hke 
 granite ; they dare not burn tliem for fear of detec- 
 tion ; and the ice was too thick on the rivers or lakes 
 to be (juickly cut through. It was very evident that 
 they ditl not try to sell them." 
 
 "But did not the thieves hide them there so that 
 they could go and get them, and sell them when the 
 excitement of then- loss had passed over?'' said Alec, 
 who was a boy who had a habit of seeing things 
 from different sides and liked to have all the diffi- 
 culties cleared up. 
 
 Mr. Ross admired this trait in Alec's character, 
 and always endeavored to meet it in a way that was 
 helpful to the lad. So to this last question his 
 answer was : 
 
 "No Indian who wished to preserve anything of 
 value for future use would think of putting it up in 
 such a place. They all know the thievish, destruc- 
 tive habits of the wolverines, and other animals of 
 that kind, that quickly detect and destroy every- 
 thing destructible if placed in a tree in the manner 
 in which this was done. The wonder was that this 
 was not found out much sooner and completely 
 destroyed." 
 
 "Tell us, please," said Sam, "how the hunters act 
 toward each other in regard to their hunting 
 grounds and furs. Have they any titles to the dif- 
 ferent places where they hunt year after year?' 
 
 i8o 
 
 i>> 
 
 i 
 
)YS 
 
 IN TiiK (Irkat I.onk Land 
 
 vent him 
 tatlier of 
 the furs 
 i. They 
 )zen hke 
 L)f (letec- 
 or hikes 
 lent that 
 
 I so that 
 vhen the 
 licl Alec, 
 g" things 
 the diffi- 
 
 laracter, 
 that was 
 tion his 
 
 thing of 
 it up in 
 destruc- 
 mals of 
 every- 
 manner 
 hat this 
 npletely 
 
 ters act 
 lunting 
 the dif- 
 
 ( 
 
 / 
 
 ' ' 
 
 "They have no writlen titles," said Mr. Ros: . 
 "Imt for generations the same families have hunttd 
 in the same localities. Then some Indians, genera- 
 tion after generation, are noted as famous hunters 
 of certain animals, h'or example, L'.ig Tom is noted 
 as a successful moose hutUer, and so were his im- 
 mediate ancestors. Others made a specialty of the 
 heavers, others of the otter, and thus it went. These 
 Indian families naturally had localities where these 
 different animals ahounded, although there were 
 «^easons when other varieties of fur-hearing animals 
 swarmed through tliese regions, and for a time were 
 really more numerous than the ones there generally 
 hunted. As might have heen expected, the hunters 
 of the moose, reindeer, hlack hears, and other large 
 animals that wander over immense districts had the 
 right of following them in any direction. The 
 hunters and trappers of the rich fur-hearing animals, 
 howexer, generally kept in certain regions year after 
 year. Sometimes a hunter in order to reach his own 
 grounds had to pass through what we might call the 
 ])reserves of three or four different families. I once 
 accompanierl a huriter to his groiinds, and we saw no 
 less than seventy traps of other Indians on the trail 
 as we passed along mile after mile. In one of them 
 was a heautiful mink. My Indian companion at 
 once stopped, and, putting his pack off his back, 
 opened it and cut off some of his bait. Then he took 
 the mink out c I Mie trap and reset it, supplying it 
 with his own bau. The mink he tied to the top of 
 a young sapling, which he bent down for the pur- 
 pose. When he let go of the young tree it sprang 
 
 i8i 
 
i I 
 
 il J 
 
 * I 
 
 I , 
 
 1^1 ■ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 up so that the mink hung in the air, about fifteen 
 feet from the ground. Here it was safe from the 
 prowHng wolverines and other anini'ls. Then the 
 Indian made some peculiar marks upon the tree with 
 his ax. His pack was then again shouldered, and we 
 proceeded on our way. I was very much interested 
 in his proceedings, and so when he had completed 
 his work I asked him if that trap belonged to his 
 brother or some relative. 
 
 " 'No,' he replied, *I do not yet know whose hunt- 
 ing ground this is, but my duty is to do as you have 
 seen me act. Perhaps when that hunter comes along 
 to-morrow or next day he will find another mink in 
 that trap. Then with two instead of one he will be 
 the more pleased.' " 
 
 "Well done, honest Indian!" shouted the boys, 
 when they heard this. "There is a lesson for many 
 a white man." 
 
 "And boys, too," added Sam. 
 
 Continuing, Mr. Ross said : "This was the under- 
 stood custom. It might seem a little burdensome on 
 the man who had the farthest to go, and quite a tax 
 on his supply of bait. But then he had the advan- 
 tage when he reached his hunting grounds, in that 
 there were fewer human footsteps, and, in all proba- 
 bility, correspondingly more game." 
 
 "Were there no exceptions — none who would 
 take a mink or otter if they had a chance from a 
 neighbor's trap, if they thought they could escape 
 detection," asked Alec. 
 
 "I only remember of one case occurring in many 
 
 years," said Mr. Ross, "and there was soon a dead 
 
 182 
 
 il 
 
OYS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ut fifteen 
 from the 
 Then the 
 tree with 
 d, and we 
 nterested 
 ompicted 
 ed to his 
 
 Dse hunt- 
 you have 
 les along 
 mink in 
 e will be 
 
 he boys, 
 or many 
 
 e under- 
 some on 
 te a tax 
 advan- 
 in that 
 proba- 
 
 would 
 from a 
 escape 
 
 I many 
 a dead 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 man at the end of it. It was the winter after the 
 great flood in Red River. A number of Indians who 
 lived near its mouth were driven out by the great 
 flood. Some of them came into this North country. 
 The most of them were industrious and worked 
 hard. By fishing, shooting, and hunting where no 
 persons specially claimed the localities they did well, 
 and got on as did the others. There were a few 
 among them who apparently did nothing, but 
 lounged about and lived on the industrious ones. 
 No notice was taken of these. There was one man, 
 however, who soon began to be talked about. He 
 was not known to have any traps, nor was he ever 
 seen to make any dead falls or other tl'ings to catch 
 the fur-bearing animals. Yet he often sauntered 
 into the trading post and brought out from under 
 his coat a fine mink or marten, and sometimes even 
 a splendid otter. Soon some of the hunters began 
 to speak about strange tracks about their traps. One 
 hunter told of how he had visited one of his otter 
 traps and had found a quantity of hairs of an otter 
 on the teeth, and yet the trap was set. He had also 
 observed where somebody who chewed tobacco had 
 been spitting on the snow near this same otter trap. 
 Now, while these northern Indians are great smok- 
 ers, they never chew tobacco, but this suspected man, 
 who had in the Red River country been much with 
 the whites, was nearly always chewing and spitting. 
 Then there was the suspicious circumstance that a 
 few days after he was offering at the Company's 
 store a fine otter skin for sale. The Indians then 
 
 were nearly all pagans, and there was no law in the 
 
 183 
 
tii-fr 
 
 !*^ 
 
 ■>4 
 
 Ifi 
 
 w 
 
 il 
 
 l-t I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 land but their own tribal one. A secret council was 
 held, and it was decided to put a watch on this man. 
 Two or three of the cleverest Indians were ap- 
 pointed to watch his steps. Cunning though he was, 
 they were too clever for him, and they so well fol- 
 lowed him up that they saw him take a mink out of a 
 trap. Then, resetting the trap, he hid the mink 
 under his coat, and rapidly disappeared in the forest. 
 The detectives did not rush out and capture him. 
 They did not even let him know of their presence. 
 As quietly as they had followed him, so they did 
 return. The secret council was again summoned. 
 A message was sent to a noted conjurer of the tribe, 
 famous for his deadly poisons. Two days after a 
 big Indian lay dead in the birch wigwam of one of 
 the Red River Indian families. The burial was very 
 quick and (juiet. Not much w^as said. Indians do 
 not, on some subjects, talk much, but it was ob- 
 served for long years after that no hunter ever 
 complained of his traps being robbed." 
 
 "I cannot see," said Frank, *Svhy any honest per- 
 son could complain of any such laws as those. They 
 w^ere certain that he was guilty, and then they 
 quickly punished him." 
 
 "Yes," said Mr. Ross; "to some it may seem 
 
 severe that he had to be killed, but the severity in 
 
 this case crushed out the crime. None dare imitate 
 
 him for fear of suffering his doom." 
 
 184 
 
 |.; 
 
REE Boys 
 
 ret council was 
 ch on this man. 
 Hans were ap- 
 though he was, 
 ley so well fol- 
 a mink out of a 
 hid the mink 
 d in the forest. 
 1 capture him. 
 their presence. 
 ti, so they did 
 in summoned, 
 er of the tribe, 
 3 days after a 
 vam of one of 
 urial was very 
 I. Indians do 
 ut it was ob- 
 > hunter ever 
 
 ly honest per- 
 . those. They 
 id then they 
 
 it may seem 
 le severity in 
 5 dare imitate 
 
I ; Hi' 
 
 tl i 
 
 
 ; 1 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 \ < 
 
 
 
 A Winter Scene in the Great Lone Land. 
 
 .1 
 
 "twi-""™ 
 

 
 IN THE Grkat Lone Land 
 
 i 
 
 r 
 
 ■,t 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Home Amusements and Studies — Happy Days at Sagasta- 
 wcekee — Stories of the Early Hunters — Methods of Hunting 
 Before the Introduction of Firearms — Wolves More Dreaded 
 Then — Story of Two of Kinesasis's Children — Killed by 
 Wolves — Shakoona's Sorrow — Saved by the Caresses of Little 
 Children. 
 
 Sagasta-vveekee was at all times a cozy, home- 
 like place, but never did it seem more inviting and 
 comfortable than when blizzard storms roared round 
 it, or v.hen fierce snowstorms seemed to make their 
 mightiest efforts to see if they could not bury it in 
 their enormous drifts of whitest snow. These ter- 
 rific wintry gales sometimes made the house tremble 
 on its foundations, and occasionally so shook the 
 building that pictures hung on the wall would swing, 
 and spoons in a tumbler on the mantelpiece would 
 perceptibly jingle. But, in spite of the war of the 
 elements outside, all was brightness and bliss within. 
 There were endless resources of innocent amusement 
 or work for all. A splendid, useful course of read- 
 ings had been marked out for the boys, and Mr. 
 Ross saw that this, as well as the books prescribed 
 by their teachers at home, were faithfully read and 
 studied. Then the rest of the time was devoted to 
 recreation and work. A capital workshop, well sup- 
 plied with tools, including a complete turning lathe, 
 as well as fine saws for delicate fret\vork, was al- 
 ways open to them, and in it many a pleasant and 
 useful hour was spent. 
 
 i8s 
 
I?'! 
 
 h 
 
 *!.';j 
 
 
 I! 
 
 i:: 
 
 , 1 
 
 I I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Frank excelled as the mechanical genius of the 
 trio, and so generally to hirr was assigned the work 
 of making any difficult repairs needed on the dog- 
 sleds or harness, for it was a noint of honor among 
 the boys to keep their own outfits in perfect condi- 
 tion themselves. 
 
 Sam excelled, as might have been expected from 
 his nationality, as a reader and reciter, and during 
 the long evenings added much to the profit and 
 diversion of the household. 
 
 Alec had a sweet, well-cultivated voice for one so 
 young, and particularly excelled in singing the sweet 
 songs and ballads of old Scotland. Often amidst 
 the hush of a still, quiet night, or even in the lulls 
 between the roar of the blizzard or tempest, might 
 have been heard th. sweet notes of "Auld Lang 
 Syne," "Annie Laurie," "Comin' Through the Rye," 
 "John Anderson, My Jo," and many others that 
 brought up happy memories of home, and touched 
 for good all listening hearts. Another source of 
 interest to the boys was for Mr. Ross to invite in 
 some intelligent old Indian, like Memotas, Big Tom, 
 Mustagan, Kinesasis, or Paulette, to tell some re- 
 markable incident of his life, either as a hunter or 
 traveler. Then, as there were living at the village 
 not far away a number of Indians who had gone 
 out with great Arctic adventurers or explorers, and 
 had been gone for years, som** of them had very 
 remarkable stories to tell. 
 
 As Kinesasis had had charge of the dogs during 
 
 the summer, and was still much employed by Mr. 
 
 Ross on various jobs about the place, the boys be- 
 
 i86 
 
 t : 
 
 
 - iMifjiiiiiTiJl i tmi i MM 
 
)YS 
 
 s of the 
 the work 
 the dog- 
 r among 
 ct condi- 
 
 ted from 
 i during 
 •ofit and 
 
 )r one so 
 
 he sweet 
 
 1 amidst 
 
 the lulls 
 
 it, might 
 
 Id Lang 
 
 be Rye," 
 
 ers that 
 
 touched 
 
 )urce of 
 
 nvite in 
 
 ig Tom, 
 
 ome re- 
 
 mter or 
 
 village 
 
 d gone 
 
 rs, and 
 
 d very 
 
 during 
 )y Mr. 
 )ys be- 
 
 I 
 
 IN THE Grf vt Lone Land 
 
 came very well acquainted with him. He was a 
 thorough Indian in his actions and modes of 
 thought, and only saw things from his own stand- 
 point. He was very observant, and had been quietly 
 studying these three young "palefaces," whom his 
 master, the Ookemou, Mr. Ross, had brought across 
 the great sea. At first their active, demonstrative 
 ways, so different from the quiet and taciturn man- 
 ners of young Indians, tried him considerably. Yet 
 he soon became accustomed to them. Then their 
 grit and courage and perseverance under difficulties 
 soon won his admiration. They had their mishaps, 
 and, of course, in their endless sports and adventures 
 they had to take their share of knocks, but under 
 them all they were so good-natured and resourceful, 
 as well as resolute and fearless, that the old Indian 
 talked much about them among his own people, and 
 said: 'Tt was no wonder that the palefaces suc- 
 ceeded, if all their boys were like these three." But 
 what completely made him their friend was Alec's 
 terrible adventure with the wolves, and his signal 
 triumph over their instinct and cunning by his re- 
 sourceful tact and splendid endurance. Poor Kine- 
 sasis had reason to rejoice over every victory ob- 
 tained over these fierce northern wolves. Some 
 years before this they had during his absence broken 
 into his wigwam and devoured two of his children. 
 Some time later Mr. Ross told the story to the boys 
 as he had heard it from Kinesasis himself. It was 
 as follows: 
 
 "It was long ago, before the white traders had 
 
 sold many guns to the Indians. Then the game was 
 
 187 
 
 
\\'] • 
 
 1 
 
 ' iiMl 
 
 1 ' 
 
 .,. i t 
 
 WiNTKR Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 very much more plentiful than it is now in the for- 
 ests. The wild animals were then also very much 
 tamer. The how. and arrows of the hunters made 
 but little no:se in comparison with the loud report 
 of the gunpowder. The result was that the animals 
 were much more easily approached." 
 
 *Ts it true, then," asked Sam, "that the young ani- 
 mals now, that have not as yet heard the firing of a 
 gun, are wilder than the young ones were before 
 gunpowder came into use?" 
 
 ''Certainly," replied Mr. Ross. "It is well known 
 by those who have studied it that all wild animals, 
 and even birds, very soon become wilder and more 
 alert and watchful after the introduction of gun- 
 powder, and, what is stranger, they seem to be able 
 to impart to their progeny this same spirit of fear 
 and caution." 
 
 'T have often wondered," said Frank, "how it was 
 that the Indians were able to kill sufficient game to 
 keep themselves alive before they began to purchase 
 gunpowder." 
 
 "What I have said in reply to Sam's question 
 partly answers yours," answered Mr. Ross. "When 
 a boy I often talked with old hunters who for 
 many years hunted ere they fired a gun. They 
 killed partridges with clubs, or with a noose on the 
 end of a pole, as some of them can do yet, as has 
 already been seen. Then they had no difficulty in 
 crawling up to within a few feet of the deer or 
 beavers." 
 
 "What about the more savage animals, such as 
 
 the bears and w^olves ?" asked Alec. 
 
 i88 
 
 ;!' 
 
OYS 
 
 I the for- 
 ery much 
 ers made 
 id report 
 e animals 
 
 3iing aui- 
 ring of a 
 :'e before 
 
 II known 
 animals, 
 
 nd more 
 of gun- 
 
 3 be able 
 t of fear 
 
 w it was 
 game to 
 Hirchase 
 
 :iuestion 
 "When 
 ^ho for 
 They 
 on the 
 as has 
 :ulty in 
 ieer or 
 
 >uch as 
 
 IN TTTE Great Lone LANt 
 
 "As regards the bears, as the hides of the old fel- 
 lows were hard to pierce with arrows sufficient to 
 give a mortal wound, the Indians depended mostly 
 on the hand-to-hand conflict with the knife or toma- 
 hawk. With the wolves it was different. Before 
 the guns were introduced the Indians dreaded the 
 encounters with the wolves more than any other 
 animals. It is true that they feared the fire as much 
 then as now, but the Indians suffered from many 
 disadvantages. Steel axes were but few, and very 
 expensive. Now armed with guns, behind a good 
 fire, hunters are comparatively safe. Then the 
 wolves patiently waited until the limited wood sup- 
 ply was exhausted, and then closed in for the final 
 struggle. It was then teeth against tomahawks, and 
 the chances were more in favor of the wolves than 
 now. Solitary hunters or single families caught by 
 a pack were frequently overpowered and devoured. 
 Climbing up into the trees afforded a temporary 
 respite, as wolves cannot, like bears, there follow 
 their victims. But the wolves were persistent 
 besiegers, and w^oe to the unfortunate hunter who 
 was thus treed by them unless help was near. For 
 days they would keep watch, day and night, until 
 the unfortunate one, chilled and benumbed by the 
 bitter cold, fell into their midst and was speedily 
 devoured. In those days the wolves were much 
 more numerous than they are now, and more cour- 
 ageous in their attacks on the wigwams or even 
 small settlements of the Indians. When distempers 
 cut off the rabbits, or the deer were scarce, the 
 
 wolves were very audacious in their attacks. 
 
 189 
 
ff 
 
 I I 
 
 
 
 ■«h 
 
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 I It 
 
 « 
 
 ^ 
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 1 
 
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 1 
 
 
 1 
 
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 It 
 
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 ;i ■ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 "It was one winter when the cold was terrible and 
 the snow unusually deep that the sad tragedy came 
 to the wigwam of Kinesasis. The reindeer had not 
 come down from the barren plains as usual that win- 
 ter, and the other animals generally hunted by the 
 wolves were few and far between. Some of the 
 Indian hunters had had some very narrow escapes, 
 and the result was that very seldom did anyone ven- 
 ture far alone into his hunting grounds. Kinesasis 
 was always a man of great courage and strength. 
 He laughed at the caution of the others, and boldly 
 pushed on to his distant hunting grounds whenever 
 he saw a prospect of success. His wigwam, in 
 which he left Shakoona and the two little ones dur- 
 ing his absence, was made as warm and comfortable 
 as such a habitation can be. It was arranged with 
 the best of birch bark, and around outside, up to 
 within a few feet of the top, Kinesasis piled the dry 
 moss of that country, which grows there so plenti- 
 fully. He cut abundance of wood, and left plenty 
 of frozen meat and fish on the high staging outside. 
 The only drawback was that the wigwam was situ- 
 ated on the outskirts of the village, close to the dark 
 forest. Once a day, when the ice would be cut by 
 the men of the village, Shakoona would take her 
 buckets, made of the skin of the sturgeon, and go to 
 the lake for her supply of water. It di 1 not take her 
 very long to make the trip, and she loitered not on 
 the way, as she generally had to leave her two little 
 ones alone. However, as the little girl was eight 
 years of age and her brother only two years 
 
 younger, the mother knew they were quite able to 
 
 190 
 
 1 1 
 
 I 
 
 .wiWrnnrii 
 
OYS 
 
 rrible and 
 edy came 
 r had not 
 that win- 
 id by the 
 le of the 
 escapes, 
 ^one ven- 
 Cinesasis 
 strength, 
 id boldly 
 whenever 
 warn, in 
 nes dur- 
 ifortable 
 red with 
 e, up to 
 the dry 
 plenti- 
 t plenty 
 outside, 
 as situ- 
 le dark 
 cut by 
 ke her 
 go to 
 ike her 
 not on 
 little 
 eight 
 years 
 ble to 
 
 :1 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 take care of themselves under ordinary circum- 
 stances during her brief absence from them. 
 
 "One day, however, when she returned she was 
 horrified beyond all expression to find that a couple 
 of great wolves had noiselessly crawled in from the 
 forest and were greedily devouring her children. 
 With a scream, but not with a faint, she threw one 
 of the leather buckets of water on the smouldering 
 fire which burned on the ground in the center of the 
 wigwam. Then she instantly seized an ax, which 
 fortunately was near the door by which she had 
 entered. The clouds of steam which tilled the wig- 
 wam quite disconcerted the wolves. When she had 
 entered they had at once begun to growl more 
 savagely, and seemed as though they would spring 
 at her. The clouds of hot steam at once stopped 
 their snarling, as well as their tearing at the bodies 
 of the children, and before they could do any further 
 injury Shakoona with one blow cut through the 
 backbone of one, severing the spinal cord, thus ren- 
 dering him powerless to move. The other one 
 sprang at her ere she could disengage the ax for 
 another blow. The wolf's object had been to catch 
 her by the throat, but she had quickly thrown up her 
 arm as a guard, and into it the cruel brute sank his 
 great yellow fangs. 
 
 "Shakoona was in a terrible position now, but her 
 
 presence of mind did not desert her, and so she 
 
 quickly backed around the fire in such a way that 
 
 before the wolf realized his position his hind feet 
 
 were in the still red-hot embers of the fire. With a 
 
 howl of pain he let go his grip on her arm and made 
 
 191 
 
 n 
 
u 
 
 
 n^ 
 
 \^ 
 
 m 
 
 1 Oi: 
 
 f 
 
 Winter Aovknturks of Tfirkk Roys 
 
 for the (Inor. whicli was of niooseskin, and which 
 like a curtain had dropped hack into place. 
 
 **ln the meantime Shakoona's screams had hecn 
 heard, and IncHans from other wigwams speedily 
 rushed to her lielp. Little did they realize, as they 
 were coming, her sad hereavement. The first one to 
 attempt to enter was an Indian woman. Just as she 
 was entering the wolf with scorched feet was rush- 
 ing out. The ct)llision, as they met, knocked the 
 woman over, and so delayed the wolf for a second or 
 two that the next comer, who happened to he a stal- 
 wart hunter, was al)le to draw his tomahawk, and 
 with one strong hlow drove the keen edge of his 
 weapon into the animal's hrain. When these two 
 Indians and others who had quickly joined them 
 had entered the wigwam they saw a terrible sight — 
 two children half devoured and a mother so over- 
 whelmed with sorrow that not a tear would come 
 from those great sad eyes. Then there was the wolf 
 with severed spine, but still alive and looking more 
 fiendish than ever. Very soon was the savage brute 
 dispatched and his body thrown out of the wigwam. 
 
 "Loving hands quickly arranged and covered up 
 what was left of the two children, and efforts were 
 made to comfort the poor mother in her terrible sor- 
 row. Swift runners were sent away to Kinesasis, 
 to tell him of his great loss and to bring him home, 
 as many feared if his wife did not soon begin to 
 weep she would die. When Kinesasis heard the 
 news he too was nearly heart-broken, but when he 
 reached his wigwam and beheld Shakoona he 
 
 crushed down his own sorrow to try and comfort 
 
 192 
 
s Boys 
 
 I. and which 
 ce. 
 
 lis liad hccii 
 ims speedily 
 hze, as they 
 ? first one to 
 Just as she 
 't was rush- 
 cnocked the 
 a second or 
 to be a stal- 
 ^hawk, and 
 ^^\gG of his 
 I these two 
 Jined them 
 hie sight — 
 sr so over- 
 oiild come 
 IS the wolf 
 king more 
 age brute 
 wigwam. 
 Dvered up 
 brts were 
 rible sor- 
 ■Cinesasis, 
 m home, 
 begin to 
 eard the 
 when he 
 :)ona he 
 comfort 
 
 I 
 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 her who had, on account of tlic way the great be- 
 reavement had come to her, suffered much more 
 than he. For days and days Shakoona was as one 
 in a dream. She was gentle as usual, but those great 
 eyes, so sad and dry, seemed to haunt all who visited 
 her. All said she soon would die unless she got re- 
 lief. They tried many ways, but all in vain, until at 
 length a kindly Indian woman went out and brought 
 in the boys and girls with whom her little ones used 
 to play. At first Shakoona seemed pained by their 
 presence, but as they looked into those sad eyes they 
 began weeping, and, childlike, they threw their arms 
 around her and wept. Passively at first she received 
 these fondlings, but soon the children's caresses 
 broke down the barriers and the hot tears began to 
 flow, and the woman was saved from death or in- 
 sanity. But her hair turned white shortly afterward, 
 and she has ever since been that sad little woman 
 that you have seen her. Kinesasis has never been 
 cruel to her, as, alas ! too many of the pagan Indian 
 husbands are to their wives." 
 13 193 
 

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 ' 
 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 The Beavers, and Something About Them — Two Hunters at 
 Sagasta-weekee — A General Invitatioi to a Beaver Hunt Ac- 
 cepted — The Preparations — The Trip — Dog-traveling in the 
 Woods— Saucy Wild Animals — The Wolf's Cove — The Boys' 
 Plunge in the Snowdrift — The Rescue. 
 
 The beaver is a very interesting animal. In the 
 previous summer the boys had been fortunate 
 enough to see a colony of beavers at work during 
 a beautiful moonlight night. They had also sub- 
 sequently examined the wonderful dam these in- 
 dustrious, ingenious creatures had made, and were 
 much amazed and surprised not only at its size, but 
 also at the clever way in which every part of it was 
 constructed to meet any emergency that might occur 
 by flood or freshet. 
 
 They also noticed that the Indians did very little 
 hunting of the beaver, or, indeed, of any of the rich 
 fur-bearing animals during the summer months. 
 Now, however, that the winter had come they were 
 all alert and active, and as soon as their fall fisheries 
 were completed they began making preparations for 
 the winter harvest of furs. On their success in a 
 great measure depended the happiness and comfort 
 of themselves and their families. They lived too 
 far north to cultivate the land with any degree of 
 success, and hence it was only by the sale of their 
 furs that they were able to buy the essential neces- 
 saries for their simple lives. 
 
 The fur is only considered prime in the winter 
 
 194 
 

 E Boys 
 
 Two Hunters at 
 ;aver Hunt Ac- 
 raveling in the 
 ove — The Boys' 
 
 imal. In the 
 2n fortunate 
 work during 
 lad also sub- 
 im these in- 
 de, and were 
 t its size, but 
 •art of it was 
 might occur 
 
 id very Httle 
 of the rich 
 er months, 
 e they were 
 fall fisheries 
 arations for 
 success in a 
 ind comfort 
 |y lived too 
 degree of 
 jale of their 
 Intial neces- 
 
 the winter 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 months. That killed in summer is thin and poor, 
 and for it the hunters receive but a low price. But 
 when the cold weather sets in the fur becomes thick 
 and valuable. Then the hunters leave their homes 
 and go to the distant hunting grounds, often hun- 
 dreds of miles away. Many are their hardships and 
 privations. They take but little food with them, and 
 so have to depend on what thev can hunt or shoot. 
 In some regions where the fi 'aring animals are 
 fairly numerous those that arc good for food are 
 very few. The result sometimes is that Indians 
 doing well in getting the rich furs of the black and 
 silver foxes, otters, minks, and martens, and some 
 other fur-bearing animals, are nearly starving most 
 of the time. On the other hand, those who succeed 
 in capturing abundance of beavers, wild cats, musk- 
 rats, and bears, live very well, as all of these animals 
 are eaten by the natives, although their furs do not 
 bring as high a price as the others. 
 
 The discovery of a large beaver house is a great 
 piece of good luck to an Indian hunter. Sometimes, 
 when the house is a small one, a hunter will with his 
 ax only put his mark of ownership on a tree near by, 
 then leave it undisturbed. Scores of hunters may 
 happen to come along, but when they see that mark 
 they never think of trying to get those beavers. It 
 may be that the owner will mark it the second year, 
 and again leave it for the beaver to multiply the 
 third time. Each year the beavers are undisturbed 
 they take down and enlarge their house, until, if 
 thus left for years, and the dam keeps good and the 
 
 water supply sufficient, they will continue extend- 
 
 195 
 
 i 
 
 
ii' 
 
 i*!?? 
 
 
 i 
 
 Ill: - 
 
 
 II 
 
 ill 
 
 1 
 ,] 
 
 i: 
 
 'i 
 
 1 
 
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 ^\ 
 
 W- 
 
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 I' 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ing their habitation until it is as large as a good-sized 
 haystack. 
 
 There came one day to Sagasta-weekee, on a visit, 
 a couple of clever Indian hunters who were great 
 friends of Mr. Ross. Among other things they told 
 him was that two nights away they had a large 
 beaver house which they had preserved for three 
 years, and that they were soon going to take out the 
 beavers. This was just the news Mr. Ross wanted 
 to hear, as he had often talked with the boys about 
 these wonderful animals, and was anxious that they 
 should see how the cleverness of the hunters out- 
 matched all the skill and sagacity of the beavers. 
 
 Then, as it was about a hundred miles away, it 
 would be a capital winter's trip and give them some 
 idea of the Indian hunter's life. They would have 
 to camp out in the wintry forest, and would thus 
 find the difference between sleeping in the summer, 
 with the temperature up to eighty, and sleeping in 
 the wintry cold, with the spirit thermometer perhaps 
 indicating fifty below zero. 
 
 When the boys heard of the promised trip they 
 
 were wild with excitement. As much preparation 
 
 had to be made, the day selected to start was about 
 
 a week after the visit of the two Indians. It was 
 
 indeed a busy week. Each of the three boys was to 
 
 take his dog-train. They would be expected to take 
 
 on their own sleds their beds, clothing, and part of 
 
 the supplies. Snowshoes were made for them, and 
 
 every day they diligently practiced this new method 
 
 of locomotion. They had many amusing tumbles. 
 
 Sometimes, where the snowdrifts were deep, when 
 
 196 
 
 ?t ^ 
 
 l ijangeii.i ,1 1 1 
 
E Boys 
 a good-sized 
 
 ee, on a visit, 
 
 ) were great 
 
 ngs they told 
 
 had a large 
 
 ed for three 
 
 take out the 
 
 Ross wanted 
 
 e boys about 
 
 )us that they 
 
 hunters out- 
 
 i beavers. 
 
 iles away, it 
 
 e them some 
 
 would have 
 
 would thus 
 
 he summer, 
 
 sleeping in 
 
 eter perhaps 
 
 k\ trip they 
 preparation 
 t was about 
 ns. It was 
 3oys was to 
 cted to take 
 and part of 
 them, and 
 lew method 
 ig tumbles, 
 deep, when 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 they attempted to pass over they somehow or other 
 would get the snowshoes so tangled up that over 
 they would go on their heads. The more they 
 struggled the deeper they sank in the light, fleecy 
 snow, until it seemed as though nothing was visible 
 but a pair of snowshoes wildly wabbling about. 
 Then the experienced Indian who always accom- 
 panied them would come to the rescue. Gliding up 
 gracefully on his own snowshoes to the struggling 
 lad, he would reach down and, seizing him under the 
 arms, would quickly lift him up and once more place 
 him on his feet amidst the laughter of the others. 
 Thus they practiced and fell, tried again and again, 
 until the knack was accomplished and they could get 
 along very nicely. 
 
 In the meantime diligent preparations were being 
 made indoors for this excursion to the home of 
 the beavers. Abundance of fat food was cooked. 
 Dogshoes were manufactured, as well as large 
 moccasins for the travelers. 
 
 In due time the start was made. It was to the 
 boys a most unique and novel affair. First ran the 
 guide, a stalwart Indian, who could easily keep 
 ahead of the fastest train. It is the duty of the 
 guide, by running on in front, to indicate the best 
 route. He must never make a track where it is not 
 safe for the dogs with the heavy sleds to follow. If 
 he finds a great fallen tree in the way it is his duty, 
 not to jump over the trunk and push on, but to circle 
 around it where the party following can easily ad- 
 vance. In rocky places he must ever have in mind 
 
 the loaded sleds following, and walk or run where 
 
 197 
 
 i'uU 
 
 • ll] 
 
 . ''11 
 
 ^1 
 
 (1 
 
I ' 
 
 ■<% 
 
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 ;> 
 
 •\i 
 
 
 pin 
 
 i I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 there is an available trail. He must never go be- 
 tween two trees growing so closely together that 
 there will be any difficulty for the widest sled fol- 
 lowing to pass between them. He is supposed to 
 know the strength or weakness of the weakest train 
 or runner, and so must decide on each resting as well 
 as camping place. In his footsteps all are to im- 
 plicitly follow, and so his position is one of great 
 responsibility. As a natural result, he is supposed 
 to receive much higher pay than the ordinary dog- 
 driver, who has not much care beyond that of his 
 own dog-train. 
 
 This being the first trip made in this direction this 
 season, there was not the least vestige of a road or 
 trail. Tornado blasts had swept through the forests 
 which abounded most of the way. The result was 
 that fallen trees were very numerous. Some of them 
 were so tangled together that it was at times easier 
 to cut through than make the long detour to get 
 around them. Knowing this, the guide carried with 
 him an ax instead of a gun. 
 
 An old, experienced, powerful tra.n of dogs went 
 first. The sagacious leader never swerved from the 
 tracks of the guide. No matter how winding or dif- 
 ficult the trail, he never wandered from it. Some- 
 times he could see the guide straight ahead, while 
 the path seemed to veer at right angles. While the 
 sight of the guide ahead might stimulate him to 
 greater effort and speed, still he knew his duty was 
 to keep in the well-defined track. A straight cut to 
 the guide might run him into a dangerous gully or 
 
 over a steep precipice. So, knowing his duty, per- 
 
 198 
 
 -tfifmmrmmmvsm 
 
Boys 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ver go bp- 
 rether that 
 5t sled fol- 
 ipposed to 
 akest train 
 ing as well 
 are to im- 
 e of great 
 5 supposed 
 inary dog- 
 hat of his 
 
 ection this 
 a road or 
 :he forests 
 'esult was 
 le of them 
 nes easier 
 Lir to get 
 Tied with 
 
 logs went 
 I from the 
 IS or dif- 
 Some- 
 Id, while 
 'hile the 
 him to 
 |uty was 
 (t cut to 
 ;"ully or 
 |ty, per- 
 
 haps taught it by bitter experience — and dogs have 
 good memories — he tried his best in his doglike way 
 to do his duty. 
 
 Mr. Ross's train followed next. They were jet- 
 black in color, and were large, magnificent dogs. 
 They were so trained that they as readily responded 
 to his calls s a good horse does to the pulling of the 
 reins. 
 
 Then following came the boys with their three 
 trains. Frank, having the largest dogs, had the 
 lead. Sam came next, and then Alec w'ith the light- 
 est but by far the fleetest train in the whole party. 
 Behind was another sled of Mr. Ross's with more 
 supplies, and then, bringing up the rear, was a sled 
 belonging to the two Indians who owned the beaver 
 house. While one of them drove the train the other, 
 on account of the many fallen trees in the way that 
 had to be cut out, was on ahead with Memotas, the 
 guide. 
 
 As they thus set off they made quite a display. 
 The boys were simply wild with the excitement of 
 the hour. They looked very picturesque in their 
 handsome outfits. Their deerskin suits, over the 
 warmest of flannel underclothing, were very beauti- 
 ful, as they were made under Mrs. Ross's direction 
 by the most clever Indian n^omen. They were beau- 
 tifully adorned with bead and silkwork and trimmed 
 w'th fur. Their overcoats, as before stated, were 
 made of the heavy white blankets of the Hudson 
 Bay Company. These blankets are very warm and 
 firm, as they are especially made for that cold coun- 
 try. The caps and mittens were of the finest fur. 
 
 199 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 i! 
 
 M 
 
 
1 
 
 t I 
 
 ■ 
 
 i ■.! 
 
 r i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Their moccasins were extra large, to allow for the 
 additional wrapping- of duffel required over the 
 warm woolen hose. They also had warm leggings 
 of strouds, beautifully fringed and fastened with 
 strong garters artistically worked with porcupine 
 quills. A warm, well-lined hood or capote was at- 
 tached to each overcoat. This the boys found of 
 very great service and comfort, especially when their 
 unexperienced sleigh dogs were unable to keep the 
 heads of their sleds, at times, from striking against 
 some snow-laden tree with such force that the snow 
 in great quantities came tumbling about them. But 
 for these capotes much of the snow would have 
 found its way into their faces and down under the 
 collars of their coats. 
 
 To be like the rest of the party, the lads were each 
 the possessor of a fine dog-whip. Of course, they 
 were not so long and heavy as those ordinarily used, 
 but they could when well handled make a pistollike 
 crack, and for this purpose only were they used. 
 
 The first few miles of the route were on the ice 
 over places well known to all, as in their frequent 
 outings they had gone in this direction. It was well 
 known to Alec, for it was along this very way that 
 he had skated so rapidly after leaving the river, with 
 the howling wolves behind him. 
 
 On and on they pushed to the extreme end of the 
 lake, for they wished to avail themselves of as much 
 of the ice route as possible, as it is so much easier 
 traveling on the ice than in the forest, where there 
 is no trail. 
 
 When the sleds reached the spot where they were 
 
 200 
 
 i 
 
YS 
 
 IN TiiK Grkat Lone Land 
 
 for the 
 ver the 
 eggings 
 ed with 
 )rcupine 
 was at- 
 nmd of 
 en their 
 :eep the 
 against 
 le snow 
 n. But 
 id have 
 ider the 
 
 ire each 
 5e, they 
 y used, 
 stolHke 
 2d. 
 
 the ice 
 equent 
 as well 
 ly that 
 ■, with 
 
 lof the 
 much 
 
 (easier 
 there 
 
 were 
 
 to enter the forest they found that the guide and his 
 Indian comrade had cut down some dry trees and 
 made up a splendid fire. No sooner had the trains 
 ai rived than some of the sleds were hastily untied, 
 the deerskin wrappings which were on all were 
 opened, and a couple of large kettles were speedily 
 filled with the clear, light snow and placed on the 
 roaring fire. So light and feathery is the snow that 
 the kettles have to be filled and refilled a good many 
 times ere sufficient is put in to make them full of 
 water. Then the provision bags were opened, and 
 abundance of food was taken out for all. 
 
 One of the Indians who was skillful at this kind 
 of work was detailed as special cook and general 
 waiter for Mr. Ross and the boys. Very quickly he 
 had ready the dinner of the good things Mrs. Ross 
 had prepared for them. The boys were surprised 
 at the quantity of the fat food that was placed before 
 them, and were almost ashamed of the vigor and 
 capacity of their appetites. Nature, true to her in- 
 stincts, puts in the craving for the kind of food most 
 essential for people in different parts of the world. 
 
 About an hour was allowed for the dinner halt, 
 and then the journey was resumed. There were the 
 usual mishaps that necessarily belonged to this mode 
 of travel. Sleds were occasionally upset, and if at 
 the time anyone happened to be riding he was buried 
 in the snow, from which he emerged none the worse 
 for the plunge, but generally amidst the laughter 
 of those more fortunate. Several times a fox or 
 some other animal ran across the trail, and then it 
 required some effort and sternness to control the 
 
 201 
 
 if" 
 
 n 
 
 kill 
 
 f'.iij 
 
 ij 
 
 ifi 
 
"1" ■ 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 (logs and prevent them from starting off after these 
 animals, which are their natural foes. The older 
 dogs had learned somewhat hy experience the folly 
 of trying while thus harnessed to heavy sleds to 
 capture wild foxes, and so merely confined their 
 efforts to loud harkings and a little more vigorous 
 tugging at their traces. The younger and less dis- 
 ciplined trains, however, with less discretion and 
 more zeal, at once dashed away from the beaten 
 trail made by the trains ahead of them, and reck- 
 lessly plunged into the forest after the game. 
 
 "Who would imagine," said Frank, "that dogs so 
 heavily loaded could thus fairly fly over the snow- 
 covered logs and rocks and among the trees at such 
 a rate?" 
 
 They learned then, and in many an experience 
 afterward, of the latent strength there is in an ap- 
 parently w-earied dog. Only give him the stimulus 
 to develop it, and it is simply surprising to all who 
 witness it. 
 
 Alec's fleet train was the most excited and intract- 
 able. Bruce could not stand the sight of a saucy 
 fox or a snarling wild cat passing across the trail, 
 only a few hundred feet ahead of him, with any 
 degree of equanimity. After him he must and would 
 go, in spite of Alec's hardest efforts to keep him in 
 the trail. Bruce, w^ith the other three dogs, about as 
 eager as himself, would often leave the track and 
 wath a spurt get off several hundred yards in the 
 w^oods before he could be stopped. Sometimes 
 their stopping would be rather abrupt. Generally 
 the trees were so close together that it was not long 
 
 202 
 
 II 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ere the head of the sled came in violent collision with 
 a great one. This, of course, stopped them most 
 effectually. At other times, while Bruce, the leader, 
 decided to take one side of a small tree, the dog 
 r ext to him took the other side. This divergency of 
 views on the part of the dogs also quickly put an end 
 to their advance. 
 
 Alec, in his determined efforts to arrest their 
 progress at these times, did not always escape un- 
 scathed. When in a had forest where the snow was 
 deep he often would stumhle and fall, and before he 
 could regain his feet had acted the part of a snow- 
 plow as he was rapidly dragged along. He received 
 some painful bruises, but he pluckily kept to his 
 work, and so had his dogs in fairly good submission 
 before many such trips were made. 
 
 A laughable but fortunately not dangerous ad- 
 venture happened to the boys and their trains at a 
 place called by the Indians the Wolf's Cove, on ac- 
 count of the many wolves that formerly infested the 
 place. There it was necessary to cross a very deep 
 valley, or ravine. The hillsides were very steep and 
 slippery under the heavy snowfall. As the dog- 
 sleds have no brakes upon them, the only way of 
 arresting their speedy motion when going down a 
 steep hill is for the driver to hold back the sled by 
 the strong rope which is always attached to the rear 
 end and is called the tail rope. 
 
 If the hill is steep or slippery, and the load heavy, 
 
 this Is a difficult operation and requires much care. 
 
 Owing to the way in which the dogs are attached 
 
 to the sleds, the drivers are utterly powerless to ren- 
 
 203 
 
 h 
 
 VI 
 
 \- n' 
 
 ;■ Im 
 
 !^i 
 
Il ' 
 
 Winter Adventurks ok Three Boys 
 
 der any assistance in arresting the progress of the 
 sled. 
 
 When the sleds reached the ravine there was a 
 short halt ere the first descent was made. 
 
 The old, experienced Indian drivers were of the 
 opinion that tlie boys were not strong or heavy 
 enough on their nioccasined feet to hold back their 
 sleds, and suggested that, after they themselves had 
 gone down with the loads, they return and take 
 charge of the trains of the boys. This help, kindly 
 offered, was rejected by the lads, who, ha\'ing man- 
 aged fairly well thus far, except where the passing 
 game bothered them, were anxious to try this new 
 experiment. 
 
 Mr. Ross at first was also a little dubious about it, 
 but youthful enthusiasm and love of new adventures 
 conquered. While the first sleds were descending 
 the boys and the rest of the party not immediately 
 occupied watched the operation with a good deal of 
 interest. 
 
 "Faith," said vSam, "it's as easy as sliding down 
 the banisters." 
 
 "The hill seems greased for the occasion," said 
 Frank, as he noticed the ease and rapidity with 
 which the sleds slid down in spite of the grip and 
 strong holdback of the heavy, experienced Indian 
 drivers. 
 
 "Plenty of snow to tumble into," said Alec, who 
 could not forget the way he had plowed through it 
 when his dogs ran away with him as they attempted 
 to catch the wild cat. 
 
 Fortunately or unfortunately for the boys, there 
 
 204 
 
 M I I, 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 had been a j^ood deal of wind in this part of the 
 country since the last snowfall, and so now there 
 was a large drift of perhaps twenty feet that had 
 hecn hlown into the bottom of the lirst steep hill. 
 The guides with some help had in the route through 
 this deep snow gone backward and forward a few 
 times on their heavy snowshoes, and had packed 
 down a trail sufficiently hard for the dogs and sleds. 
 All the heavy sleds with their drivers went on ahead 
 of the boys. Thus they, coming last, had the ad- 
 vantage of the packing of the snow. 
 
 Sam, jolly and reckless, was the first of the boys 
 to make the descent, while the others followed 
 closely behind, Frank being next to him, and Alec 
 bringing up the rear. 
 
 For a time Sam succeeded very well in imitating 
 the experienced drivers. He kept his feet well and 
 firmly planted on the snowy surface, and held back 
 his sled in fine style. The other boys also succeeded 
 in starting well on the trail. They had not gone 
 very far, however, before a small gray wolf, that 
 had been hidden in one of the denlike recesses in the 
 rocks, now thoroughly alarmed by the dingling of 
 so many bells and the sounds of so many voices, sud- 
 denly sprang from his retreat, which was in the 
 cliffs on the other side beyond the guide. Plunging 
 into the deep snow, he made the most desperate 
 efforts to escape by retreating up the distant hill- 
 side in front of the whole party. Fierce fires had 
 raged through these woods a year so so before, 
 nearly destroying the whole of the timber. The 
 
 result was that the country was now here quite open, 
 
 205 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 I m 
 
 ^Vi 
 
 %■ 
 

 v4 
 
 
 ^11 
 
 II 
 
 :i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 and objects as larj^c as a wolf could he seen for 
 a lon^ distance. I'>om their hij^hcr position the 
 hoys and their dogs could much more distinctly see 
 the wolf on the opposite hillside than could the rest 
 of the party, who, having safely made the descent, 
 were now on the beginning of the rise on the other 
 side, awaiting the coming of the hoys. They did 
 not have long to wait. The sight of that wolf, so 
 clearly seen in the bright sunshine of that wintry 
 day on the snowy hillside, was too much for their 
 brief discipline. Spitfire could not stand it. With a 
 howl he was off, and well seconded were his efforts 
 by the dogs he was leading. Sam was instantly 
 jerked off his feet, but he pluckily held on to the 
 tail rope of his sled. Well was it for him that his 
 pants were made of mooseskin, for they had a good 
 testing of their qualities now% as rapidly on them he 
 was now tobogganing down that steep, slippery 
 liillside. 
 
 Behind him came the other dog-trains. Of them 
 the boys had also lost control. Such was the steep- 
 ness of the hill that soon the momentum obtained by 
 the sleds caused them to go faster than the dogs 
 could run. Here was the real danger. When Frank 
 and Alec saw how it was faring with Sam, and were 
 also quick to observe that with that wolf so plainly 
 visible it would be utterly impossible for them on a 
 downhill, slippery grade to control their now ex- 
 cited dogs, they, boylike, took the risks, and at once 
 threw themselves upon their sleds and hung on to 
 the deerskin thongs with which the loads were 
 
 securely tied. 
 
 206 
 
 ^ 
 

 IN THE Great Lunk Land 
 
 **Hurrah for somewhere!" shouted Alec. 
 
 "Clear the track!" was !•' rank's hurried shout to 
 Sam, whom he saw still in the trail, down which he 
 was now furiously coming. 
 
 The guide, on his snowshoes, in tramping out the 
 trail had near the hottom made a little turn to the 
 left in order to escape the deepest snowdrift which 
 the wind had there piled up. The foremost trains, 
 with their powerful, experienced drivers, had hcen 
 ahle to make this detour all right, and now had 
 stopped only a little way ahead. 
 
 By the time the trains of the hoys had reached 
 this part of the descent they were in a most thor- 
 oughly mixed-up condition. Boys, dogs, and sleds 
 were literally so tangled up that they were to the 
 rest of the party an indistinguishable mass as down 
 they came, and at the bend in the road, instead of 
 being able to turn, they all flew into the heavy drift 
 of snow which was straight before them, and almost 
 disappeared. There was quick work for the on- 
 lookers now to do. At first they had been almost 
 convulsed with laughter, as they saw the mixed-up 
 assortment coming down in such a way. Then, 
 when the whole flew by and buried itself so thor- 
 oughly in the deep drift of light, fleecy snow, there 
 was instantly a good deal of anxiety for the boys. 
 
 As they began the work of rescue the sight before 
 them was unique. There is a hand working des- 
 perately, and here is a foot waving in the air. There 
 is a dog's head emerging as the animal makes a des- 
 perate struggle to get out, and there is the curly tail 
 
 of another coming into view. Only such a land 
 
 207 
 
 i 
 
 M 
 
y 
 'Ml' 
 
 |! 
 
 f i 
 
 I 
 
 m-i' 
 
 
 [I 
 
 
 Ul 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 could show such a sight. Alec, the last to plunge 
 in, was the first rescued, although he had been com- 
 pletely buried out of sight, as had been the others. 
 Frank was the next pulled out, feet foremost. Sam 
 was the last rescued. His tobogganing slide had 
 been abruptly ended by his being entangled in the 
 harness of Frank's train coming on behind him. 
 Then it seemed to him as though the head of the on- 
 coming sled, like the cowcatcher on an engine, had 
 picked him and the dogs up, and in an instant more, 
 he said, he was sent flying as from a catapult into 
 the drift, the instant the sled left the track. So far 
 ahead was he thus shot that the sleds stopped before 
 they reached him, and so, although he was deeply 
 buried, he was not run over. 
 
 Not one of the boys had a scratch or a bruise. 
 The only discomfort was that, in spite of big mittens 
 and capotes, so much snow had found its way where 
 it was, to say the least, not very welcome. But it 
 was light and feathery, and was soon dusted off or 
 shaken out, and then the work was to get out and 
 disentangle the dogs. This was no easy matter. 
 Some of them, in the wild rush down the hill, when 
 struck by the sleds had rolled over and over in such 
 a way that their traces looked more like ropes than 
 anything else. Others of them were now in such 
 uncomfortable positions that they were howling 
 most piteously for help, while others that had hap- 
 pened to be thrown together, and perhaps each 
 thinking that the others were to blame for this mix- 
 up, were as vigorously fighting as their entangle- 
 ment in their harnesses and sleds would allow. 
 
 208 
 
s 
 
 plunge 
 ;n corn- 
 others. 
 :. Sam 
 de had 
 [ in the 
 id him. 
 the on- 
 ne, had 
 it more,, 
 ult into 
 So far 
 1 beiore 
 > deeply 
 
 , bruise, 
 mittens 
 y where 
 But it 
 d off or 
 out and 
 matter. 
 11, when 
 in such 
 )es than 
 in such 
 lowling 
 ad hap- 
 ps each 
 lis mix- 
 itangle- 
 w. 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 After the rescue of the lads the Indians unfas- 
 tened one of their most powerful dog-trains from one 
 of the other sleds and hitched it to the rear of these 
 buried ones, from which they had, with the snow- 
 shoes as shovels, so thrown the snow that they could 
 be reached. With a good deal of effort and a great 
 deal of fun they were pulled out one by one. The 
 dogs of each train were naturally indignant at thus 
 being unceremoniously dragged backward. As each 
 sled and train were thus hauled out and straightened 
 in the trail, and the harness untangled, the amount 
 of damage could be ascertained. With the exception 
 of a few loose articles that were buried somewhere 
 in the drift there was no loss. It is true that some 
 of the dogs seemed a little sore and stiff for a few 
 days, but beyond that there was nothing serious. 
 Snow is a capital substance in which to tumble if 
 there is plenty of it. 
 
 This adventure, which was often talked about and 
 caused many a hearty laugh, delayed the party about 
 a couple of hours. As the hill up which they were 
 now to go was about as steep as the one down which 
 they had so quickly come, it was decided to fasten 
 two trains of dogs to each sled. This, while making 
 the work easier on the dogs, caused considerable de- 
 lay. The result was that when the whole party had 
 reached the top Memotas decided that it would be 
 
 best there to camp. 
 
 14 2og 
 
 Mi 
 
 li'i 
 
 
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 •'I 
 
 1 
 
 ;.:-:il 
 
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 i 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 11 ;■ ' 
 
 i I 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Still on the Way to the Beaver House — The Winter Camp in 
 the Woods — Work for All — Feeding the Dogs — Our Boys 
 Guarding Their Own Trains — The Evening Meal — Bitter Cold 
 — Milk in Lumps of Ice — Evening Prayers — The Wintry Camp 
 Bed — Tucked In — Mysterious Sounds in the Forest — Smother- 
 ing Sensations — Sam's Nightmare — Breakfast — Tricky Dogs — • 
 Methods of Capture — Carioles and Sleds Reloaded — Trains 
 Harnessed — Journey Resumed. 
 
 A WINTER camp in the North Land, and the tem- 
 perature anywhere from thirty to sixty below zero ! 
 
 Cold? Yes, we think so, and so did Frank, Alec, 
 and Sam, as now they were passing through their 
 first experience. 
 
 As was stated in onr last chapter, to the guide was 
 always assigned the responsibilit}^ of selecting the 
 camping place. The place here chosen by Memotas 
 was considered a very good one. First, because 
 there was abundance of dead, dry trees to serve as 
 fuel. These had been killed a year or so before by 
 a great forest fire that had run through that region 
 of country. Second, there was a fine, dense balsam 
 grove that had escaped the fire. In one part of it 
 there was sufficient space for the camp. Then, in 
 addition, bv cuttinof down some of the smaller of 
 these evergreen trees, their branches, finely broken 
 up, would help to make the bed more comfortable. 
 
 These are the essentials for a good camp: plenty 
 of fuel and a sheltered spot. It is not always easy 
 to find good camping places, so the guide is gener- 
 
 210 
 
>YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ir Camp in 
 Our Boys 
 Sitter Cold 
 ntry Camp 
 — Smother- 
 :ky Dogs— 
 ed — Trains 
 
 the tem- 
 ow zero! 
 nk, Alec, 
 Ligh their 
 
 >-uide was 
 
 cting the 
 
 Memotas 
 
 because 
 
 serve as 
 
 before by 
 
 jat region 
 
 ie balsam 
 
 lart of it 
 
 jThen, in 
 
 mailer of 
 
 |y broken 
 
 fortable. 
 
 plenty 
 
 ays easy 
 
 lis gener- 
 
 
 ally on the lookout for such localities. The result is 
 his quick eye and good memory generally enable 
 liim to select all the camps that will be required on 
 a return journey. 
 
 When all the sleds were at the spot selected the 
 first thing done was to unharness the dogs, the faith- 
 ful animals that had so well done their work. It 
 seemed at first strange to the boys that the dogs 
 could be treated so differently from what horses 
 wcr.1.1 have been when the day's work was done. 
 Indeed, everything was novel and startling. 
 
 A day's journey was ended, and they were about 
 to take a night's rest. But how different from trav- 
 eling elsewhere. Here was no pleasant hotel or 
 country tavern in which they could find lodgings. 
 Here were no hospitable settlers to invite these 
 strangers in to be their guests. They were prepar- 
 ing to stop out here in the woods all night, where 
 there was neither hotel nor private dwelling place 
 nearer than the home they had left now so many 
 miles behind. 
 
 No wonder Sam said, as he pulled a piece of ice 
 as big as a pepper caster off the fur edge of his cap, 
 that had there formed from his breath : 
 
 "This beats all the lodging houses I ever heard of. 
 Faith, and where is the landlord?" 
 
 Alec's practical reply was : *'Well, there will be 
 no bill to pay in the morning, anyway." 
 
 "Pay or no pay," said Sam, "I would like to 
 know where we are going to sleep in such a place as 
 this?" 
 
 "And where are we going to eat ?" said Frank. 
 
 211 
 
 - 
 
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 ■ i r. 
 
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 If! 
 
,1 !■• 
 
 if J t 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ''Wait a little while," said Mr. Ross, "and you 
 will see a change that will astonish you. In the 
 meantime each of you take an ax and see which of 
 you can first cut down one of those trees. The ex- 
 ercise will do you good, and then remember," he 
 said with a laugh, "we have no deadheads on this 
 trip." 
 
 Eagerly the boys rushed off to the sleds for their 
 axes, and, putting on their snowshoes — for the snow 
 was too deep for comfortable work without them- — 
 they were soon busily engaged at what was Glad- 
 stone's favorite exercise. In the meantime the men 
 were hard at work in preparing the camp. The 
 snow wr. between three and four feet deep at the 
 place seicv,' -d. Using their snowshoes as shovels, 
 they vigorously attacked the snow and threw it up 
 on two sides and in the rear, making a snow wall 
 about five feet high on three sides. The two oppo- 
 site walls were about twelve feet apart, while the 
 rear wall was perhaps ten feet back from the front 
 space where the snow was cleared away. Here a 
 great log heap was soon piled up. Dry splinters and 
 chips were placed under, and an Indian -'vith his 
 flint and steel soon had it ignited. In a little while 
 a glorious fire was blazing, lighting up the whole 
 surroundings. The sun had gone down in splendor' 
 and the stars one by one had quickly come out, and 
 now the whole heavens were aglow with them. On 
 the space between the snowbanks a heavy layer of 
 the green balsam boughs were evenly spread. On 
 these the robes and blankets from each sled were 
 arranged by busy hands, while others attended to 
 
 212 
 
YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 and you 
 In the 
 which of 
 The ex- 
 iber," he 
 s on this 
 
 for their 
 the snow 
 X them — 
 k^as Glad- 
 i the men 
 np. The 
 ;ep at the 
 s shovels, 
 rew it up 
 ?now wall 
 wo oppo- 
 while the 
 the front 
 Here a 
 nters and 
 vith his 
 Ittle while 
 fhe whole 
 splendor* 
 out, and 
 em. On 
 layer of 
 lead. On 
 ;led were 
 ;ended to 
 
 various other duties. Some took large kettles and 
 filled and refilled them up with snovv, and kept them 
 on the blazing fire until they were nearly full of 
 water. Meat was cooked in some, while tea was 
 made in others. 
 
 The dog-drivers looked after their own dogs. 
 From the sleds sufficient fish were taken to give to 
 each dog two good whitefish. These were the daily 
 rations of the dogs. The invariable rule is when 
 traveling to give them but one meal a day, and that 
 is given at the evening camp. So severe is the frost 
 that these fish are frozen as hard as rocks, and so the 
 drivers have to knock them off the sticks where in 
 tens they were strung when caught. Then they are 
 placed against a log that is rolled as near to the fire as 
 it can be without burning. Against this log the fish 
 are stood up next to the fire, and well thawed out, 
 ere they are given to the dogs. Getting but one meal 
 a day they are naturally very eager for it, and so it 
 is no wonder if some of them get up an occasional 
 quarrel. Neither is it surprising if some of the 
 stronger and more greedy strive to steal some por- 
 tion of the supper from those not so active or quick 
 in eating as themselves. One of the best times to 
 study dog nature is when they are being fed. 
 
 The boys, having each cut down a good, large 
 tree, hugely enjoyed the feeding of the thawed-out 
 fish to their own dogs. They were greatly amused 
 at the efforts of the greedy ones to rob others. They 
 had their whips in hand, and while they each took 
 good care not to strike his own dogs, they rather en- 
 joyed giving a crack to some cunning old rascals 
 
 213 
 
 i'%' 
 
 
 1 i^ 
 
 '^ m 
 
 : II 
 
 
 4 i 
 
k 
 
 I 
 
 iifl 
 
 it 
 
 r : I 
 
 1 
 
 ,1 
 
 ! i • Jl 
 
 ! ! 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 from some of the older trains, that having in all 
 probability imposed on the youngsters all summer 
 imagined they could with impunity keep it up here. 
 
 "You would, would you, you thieving beast !" said 
 Sam, as with hearty good will he brought his whip 
 vigorously down on a powerful old dog that was 
 making a cunning attempt to rob Spitfire of about 
 half a fish. 
 
 With a howl of rage the baffled fellow quickly 
 sprang back into the gloom. 
 
 Frank and Alec also had to be equally alert, to see 
 that their dogs were not robbed by others. 
 
 Mr. Ross and the Indians w^ere much amused and 
 pleased to see the zeal and promptness with which 
 the boys guarded the rights of their trains. They 
 said that this was always the w'ay with old dogs; 
 that they would try most persistently for a few 
 nights, in the beginning of winter, to rob the 
 younger animals. A few good thrashings generally 
 cured them of it ; and sometimes, to the surprise of 
 some of these old fellows, a youngster would de- 
 velop such spirit and strength that he would turn 
 on the would-be robber and give him a thrashing 
 himself. Then there would be no trouble from that 
 old fellow afterward. 
 
 "I wonder where the dogs will sleep," said Frank. 
 
 "Wait a little while and you will see," was the 
 reply from Memotas, the guide. 
 
 Sure enough, it was evident that they knew 
 how to look out for themselves. The older ones, 
 after being certain that all the fish had been dis- 
 tributed, would lift up their heads and sniff the 
 
 214 
 
g in all 
 summer 
 up here. 
 5t!"said 
 lis whip 
 hat was 
 of about 
 
 quickly 
 
 rt, to see 
 
 used and 
 th which 
 s. They 
 >ld dogs; 
 )r a few 
 rob the 
 generally 
 prise of 
 ould de- 
 >uld turn 
 irashing 
 rom that 
 
 d Frank, 
 was the 
 
 ey knew 
 ier ones, 
 3een dis- 
 sniff the 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 breeze. No matter how slight it was they could 
 easily detect it. Then they would travel about the 
 camp in the snow until they found a sheltered spot, 
 free from the wind. Here they would turn round 
 and round until they had made a hole in the snow, 
 away down near the ground. Then down in it they 
 would curl themselves into as small a bundle as pos- 
 sible, with their tails over their noses, and there they 
 would shiver or sleep through the night, as the cold 
 would permit. 
 
 The younger dogs seemed at first very uncertain 
 as to their mo\oments. Some of them followed the 
 actions of the old dogs, but others that had but little 
 of the Eskimo blood in them clung to the fire and the 
 company of their masters. For these Mr. Ross had 
 a driver bring from one of the sleds two or three 
 extra buffalo skins, which he thoughtfully had 
 brought along. These were spread out near the fire, 
 at a spot from which the snow was partially cleared. 
 
 "Now tell your dogs to sleep there," said Mr. 
 Ross. 
 
 The boys quickly did so, and it was not long be- 
 fore those that had not gone off and dug nests in the 
 snow for themselves were closely cuddled together 
 on the comfortable robes. 
 
 In the meantime supper was being prepared by 
 others. Meat and fish in generous quantities were 
 cooked in the kettles. Bread and flat cakes, well 
 supplied with grease or fat, were being thawed 
 out, and a large quantity of good black tea was 
 prepared. 
 
 A large deerskin robe was carefully spread out 
 
 215 
 
 1 
 
 .11; 
 
 IS 1; 
 
 
 W' 
 
 i -.1 
 
i^iTi 
 
 ii!^ 1 
 
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 lii 
 
 ii 
 
 'ii 
 
 I lilfl 
 
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 V I! 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 before the fire, and over this a plain tablecloth was 
 laid. Then the dishes, which were all indestructible, 
 were placed in position, and the fat meat, strong tea, 
 and hot rolls or buns were vigorously attacked by 
 Mr. Ross and the boys. While they were thus en- 
 joying their meal the rest of the party, not far off, 
 were similarly engaged. 
 
 There were several things about this camping out 
 in the woods that much surprised the boys. One 
 was that the numerous sparks from the fire had such 
 long fiery tails. Another was that the frost so 
 quickly froze up the large pieces of meat, that often 
 had to be thawed out two or three times at each 
 meal. Another was that the ice often formed on 
 their cups of tea, which had been taken boiling hot 
 out of the kettle only a few minutes before. Then 
 they were startled by sharp reports, like pistol or 
 musket shots, that they kept hearing from places in 
 the dark forest all around them, as though some 
 lurking savages . were taking snap shots at them. 
 Two especially were so near and so real that Sam 
 jumped up so suddenly that he spilled his tea over 
 the tablecloth. 
 
 "Faith, indeed," he exclaimed, "I don't want to 
 be potted out here by any wild huntsmen, or North- 
 ern desperado, or red Indian." 
 
 The other boys were also much startled, but Mr. 
 
 Ross quieted their fears by telling them that these 
 
 sounds were caused by the bursting in the trees, as 
 
 the result of the freezing sap. Water in freezing 
 
 always expands, and as there is sufficient sap in some 
 
 trees, when it freezes, it bursts them. It must ex- 
 
 216 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 th was 
 nctible, 
 ng tea, 
 ked by 
 lius en- 
 far off, 
 
 ing out 
 y. One 
 ad such 
 rost so 
 at often 
 at each 
 med on 
 ling hot 
 . Then 
 )istol or 
 )laces in 
 ^h some 
 .t them, 
 lat Sam 
 ea over 
 
 Iwant to 
 North- 
 
 )Ut Mr. 
 it these 
 trees, as 
 freezing 
 I in some 
 lUSt ex- 
 
 pand, and tremendous is its power, as even the burst 
 rocks will show. 
 
 ''It is a good thing that the ice remains on the top 
 of the water," said Frank. "As it freezes it ex- 
 pands, and thus, being lighter than the water, it 
 comes to the top." 
 
 "What a mess we would be in," said Sam, "if as 
 the ice froze in chunks it sank to the bottom and 
 kept at it all winter. Sure then, before spring, in 
 such a land as this, the lakes and rivers would all be 
 one solid mass of ice, and then what would become 
 of the fish and us?" 
 
 "A sensible remark, Sam, and characteristically 
 put," said Mr. Ross. "If the ice were heavier than 
 the water, and continued sinking, the colder regions 
 would continually be encroaching on the warmer, 
 to such a degree that in time the earth's habitable 
 portions would be very much diminished." 
 
 "Why is it," said Alec, "that the milk which we 
 are carrying in chunks, wrapped up in paper bags, 
 when put into our cups of tea, does not melt as soon 
 as do the lumps of white sugar of the same size?" 
 
 "Closely examine a lump of frozen milk, and also 
 a lump of sugar, and you will easily see the reason," 
 said Mr. Ross. "When milk is firmly frozen it is 
 very solid indeed — so solid that even hot water can 
 only melt it on its surface. With a lump of sugar it 
 is very different, as on account of its porousness the 
 water at once forces its way through it, and thus is 
 able to quickly dissolve it." 
 
 Thus in pleasant chat the hour passed away in 
 
 spite of the bitter cold. They were all securely 
 
 217 
 
 V't- 'I 
 
 II' 
 
 '^i 
 
 n 
 
 Im 
 
 ■1;;' :| 
 
 
 H\ 
 
ms 
 
 
 ! ; 
 
 1:1 
 
 ! 
 
 :(!! I 
 
 Winter Adventures of 'Kiiree Boys 
 
 wrap{)C(l up, only portions of their faces being visi- 
 l)le. They regretted that they could not handle their 
 knives and forks with their heavy mittens on their 
 hands, but were obliged to exchange them for well- 
 lined gloves while they ate. After all had eaten their 
 hearty supper, and were now gathered near the fire, 
 one of the Indians, who, like the rest of his country- 
 men in this party, was an earnest, devout Christian, 
 struck up in a strong, melodious voice the Evening 
 Hymn, translated into his own language. 
 
 Quickly the others joined in, while INIr. Ross and 
 the boys sang in unison the English words. After 
 the hymn was sung, and ended up with Ken's beau- 
 tiful doxology, "Praise God from whom all bless- 
 ings flow," another Indian devoutly prayed in his 
 own language, after which the service ended by all 
 repeating logether the Lord's Prayer in English. 
 
 The boys were very much pleased and delighted 
 witb this evening service of praise and prayer. 
 Their w^eird surroundings added to its impressive- 
 ness. Then the fact that they were out in the cold 
 forest, with no roof above them but the starry heav- 
 ens and no walls around them but snowbanks, and 
 the temperature so many degrees below zero, made 
 the petition in the beautiful hymn sung very 
 appropriate : 
 
 Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, 
 Beneath thine own almighty wings! 
 
 After pra3^ers the men made a thorough examina- 
 tion of the sleds and harness, to see that everything 
 
 was in good condition, as they intended, if all was 
 
 218 
 
IN THK GrkAT LoNK LaND 
 
 well, to start on tlie journey long hours before 
 daylight. 
 
 Then the beds were made. This opera' .on very 
 much interested tho boys. The first thing the In- 
 dians did was to put everybody out of the camp; 
 then they scattered fresh green balsam boughs, finely 
 broken up, over the whole spot, from which the 
 snow had nearly all been cleared. Then, on the side 
 where Mr. Ross and the boys were to sleep, the 
 Indian bedmakers first spread out a deerskin wrap- 
 per, which during the day was used to hold all the 
 various articles constituting a sleigh load, the whole 
 then being securely lashed on by deerskin straps. 
 It was made by sewing several large, well-dressed 
 deerskins together. This large wrapper being made 
 smooth and even, there was next spread out on it a 
 couple of splendid buffalo skins. Then on the top of 
 these the warm, thick blankets known as four-point 
 Hudson Bay Company's blankets were placed. 
 
 While the bed was being thus prepared Mr. Ross 
 and the three boys were busily employed in prepar- 
 ing themselves to occupy it. It can be readily under- 
 stood that there was no such thing as "undressing" 
 for bed in such a cold bedroom. 
 
 ''Unloose your collars and shirt bands," was all 
 the directions given, as far as disrobing was 
 concerned. 
 
 The heavy traveling moccasins used during the 
 
 day \\ere exchanged either for long fur boots that 
 
 came up to the hips, or for much larger and softer 
 
 moccasins than those used during the day. 
 
 It generally added to the comfort if a few of the 
 
 219 
 
 ■'".if 
 
 li 
 
 im 
 
Ml I I 
 
 !IJ' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 tightest buttons on some of tlic inner garments were 
 unloosed. Then the licavy hhuikct coals, which liad 
 been well dried of all the perspiration absorbed dur- 
 ing the day and well warmed, were put on. The 
 heavy fur caps, with the big fur ears, were well 
 drawn down, while <jver all the warm capotes, as 
 hoods, were pulled up on the head and down in front 
 to the nose. Great fur mittens made of beaver and 
 otter fur were then drawn on the hands, and the 
 night suit was complete. 
 
 Mr. Ross took the outside place. Then Sam, 
 Alec, and Frank cuddled down in the order named. 
 There they lay with their feet as near to the fire as 
 it was safe, so as not to burn the blankets or robes. 
 Then the Indians quickly threw some heavy blankets 
 and fur robes over them and began at their feet to 
 tuck them in. Indians are very clever and handy at 
 all such work, their movements are all so gentle and 
 skillful. They would make the best nurses in the 
 world. No woman is quieter, quicker, or more 
 prompt just to do the right thing in the right way 
 than an Indian attendant with a little training. It 
 seems to come to them more natural than to any 
 other people. So here they so daintily and yet so 
 thoroughly tucked in the "master," as they called 
 Mr. Ross, and his three young guests. 
 
 The boys enjoyed the operation hugely until they 
 reached their heads. Then, as the Indians began 
 to tuck in both blankets and fur robes under their 
 heads, completely covering them up, it was a new 
 experience, and one not very pleasant to contem- 
 plate. Mr. Ross, who was an old traveler in this land, 
 
 220 
 
 fi.il 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 i were 
 
 h had 
 I clur- 
 Thc 
 c well 
 tes, as 
 \ front 
 cr and 
 nd the 
 
 I Sam, 
 named, 
 fire as 
 ' robes, 
 ►lankets 
 feet to 
 aiidy at 
 tie and 
 in the 
 more 
 it way 
 ng. It 
 to any 
 yet so 
 called 
 
 til they 
 ; began 
 -r their 
 a new 
 ontem- 
 is land. 
 
 and one who liad slept out hundreds of nights in this 
 way, was not at all disconiniodcd by the tucking in. 
 But it was too much for the boys. They stood it as 
 long as they could, and then almost simultaneously 
 they threw up their arms and pulled down the heavy 
 coverings from their frees. 
 
 "O dear!" said Sam. "Let me freeze to death, 
 but for dear old Ireland's sake don't smother me. If 
 ye must send word to my mother that I have been 
 frozen to death or eaten by bears she Avill believe 
 you, and survive, but let it never be told that the 
 Irish lad perished in this country under iur robes 
 and blankets." 
 
 This pathetic lament of Sam's brought forth roars 
 of laughter from all who could understand it. 
 
 "What have you to say. Alec?" said Mr. Ross. 
 
 "Well, the fact is," he replied, "I was feeling 
 about as Sam has expi ;ssod it, only i put it in a 
 differ<^nt way. My thoughts were : 'It is queer that 
 I should iiave escaped from the wolves to be suffo- 
 cated in tliis land for the want of fresh air !' " 
 
 "What say you, Frank We may as well hear 
 from all." 
 
 His answer was: "Well, as I lay there on that: 
 contracted place, and the half-smothery sensation 
 began to make life miserable, I remembered some of 
 the lessons we were taught at school about requiring 
 so many cubic feet of fresh air, and I began to won- 
 der if such laws were obsolete out here." 
 
 With a little more freedom the boys were again 
 tucked in, and it vv3.s not long before they were 
 sound asleep. 
 
 41 
 
 221 
 
 mi 
 
-- H'lUfrifinrin' 
 
 ■i <! 
 
 m 
 
 4 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 •jii 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Memotas, the guide, rolled himself up in a woven 
 rabbit skin robe, which was made out of a hundred 
 and twenty skins, sixty being the warp and sixty the 
 woof. His place was next to Frank. Then the 
 other Indians, in their blankets, when they had fin- 
 ished their smoking, laid down wherever there was 
 room. These hardy natives do not wear half of the 
 clothing by day that white people do, neither do they 
 require such warm beds at night. 
 
 The only disturbance in the night was caused by 
 Sam. He set up a great howling, which caused the 
 guide to spring up in a hurry to see what was the 
 matter. In the morning, when Sam was questioned 
 as to his troubles in the night, he said he was dream- 
 ing that he was sliding down one of the Rocky 
 Mountains with an elephant after him, and just as 
 he reached the bottom the elephant tumbled on him, 
 and there he lay 3^elling for help, until at length 
 some one came and drove the elephant away. 
 
 This was too much for even the sedate, clever 
 Memotas, and as Mr. Ross noticed his hearty laugh, 
 as a thing so unusual, he said : 
 
 ''Come, Memotas, you must surely know some- 
 thing about this." 
 
 "Yes," he answered, *T saw the elephant. It was 
 Spitfire, his dog. I heard Alec moaning gently at 
 first, and so I uncovered my head, for I w^ake very 
 easily, and there was his dog. He was coming up 
 from his feet, for the fire was burning low. He 
 would take one or two steps and then stop and smell. 
 I saw he was trying to find his master, so I did not 
 disturb him. Soon he came up so far that he could 
 
 222 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 lie down on Sam's chest, on the outside on the robes. 
 Then Sam, he hegan howling, and so he had what 
 you white people call the niglitmare, but this time it 
 was the nightdog." And Memotas softly laughed 
 again, and others joined with him at Sam's expense. 
 
 At Mr. Ross's recjuest a large quantity of fuel had 
 been cut the previous evening, so that the fire was not 
 allowed to go entirely out during the whole night. 
 The trees most common for fuel in all the North 
 country are the dry spruce and balsam. The guides, 
 looking for the camp, love to find a group of them 
 where they arc from fifty to seventy-five feet high. 
 All required are chopped down and then cut into 
 lengths of from ten to fifteen feet. They are easily 
 handled by the stalwart men, and make a l:)right fire. 
 Generally the fire is allowed to go out after all have 
 retired to rest. However, if the wolves are howling 
 around, the fire is well looked after all night, as these 
 vicious brutes are very much afraid of a bright flame. 
 
 The stars were shining l^rightly, and there was no 
 sign of light in the eastern sky, when all were up and 
 busy making preparations for the day's journey. 
 What most perplexed the boys was that there was 
 no preparation made for washing hands or faces. 
 Towels and soap were not considered essentials on 
 such a journey. Each had in his pocket a comb and 
 a toothbrush, and with these and a cup of melted 
 snow he had to be content. 
 
 Frank, young Englishman that he was, dearly 
 
 loved his tub, or bath, and so it seemed about the 
 
 hardest deprivation thus far presented that he could 
 
 neither wash his hands nor face. 
 
 223 
 
 :C 
 
 ' II 
 
 jl I * 
 
4ifl 
 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 liim '• 
 
 f'l 
 
 'fifiiif 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 "Too cold for that," said the guide. "A mission- 
 ary once tried it, although we warned him against it. 
 He was three months healing up his chapped and 
 bleeding hands." Then the guide added, as a little 
 consolation, "If you like you can give yourself a dry 
 rub with a piece of deerskin." 
 
 The breakfast was similar to the supper of the pre- 
 vious evening. Indeed, there was about the same bill 
 of fare for every meal. It was strong, hearty food, 
 and everyone was ready to do ample justice to it. 
 
 After breakfast came prayers. A few verses from 
 the good Book were read by Memotas, and then 
 prayers were offered. Twice every day do these 
 godly Indians thus worship God. They are the con- 
 verts of self-sacrificing missionaries who, coming 
 into these lands, amid the privations and hardships 
 incident to such lonely, solitary places, here patiently 
 toiled and labored to win these natives from their 
 degrading, superstitious, abominable old religion to 
 a knowledge of the one living and true God. They 
 have not toiled in vain, as the true, noble, consistent 
 lives of hundreds of their converts now bear witness. 
 
 The catching and harnessing of the dogs is a mat- 
 ter of pleasure or trouble, just as the dogs have been 
 trained. Dogs kindly treated and taught to obey 
 give no trouble, but with many, where their training 
 was defective, there Is constant annoyance and 
 worry. The boys had treated their dogs so kindly 
 that the cheery call was all that was needed. So 
 with all the trains of Mr. Ross's except one. These 
 ■were what might be called a scratch train. They 
 
 had been bought singly from different parties. When 
 
 224 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ission- 
 inst it. 
 id and 
 a little 
 f a dry 
 
 ;he pre- 
 ime bill 
 y food, 
 :o it. 
 es from 
 id then 
 io these 
 the con- 
 coming 
 ardships 
 Datiently 
 )ni their 
 igion to 
 They 
 insistent 
 witness, 
 s a mat- 
 ve been 
 to obey 
 training 
 ce and 
 kindly 
 .ed. So 
 These 
 They 
 When 
 
 in harness they were the equal of any, but the trouble 
 was to get them into their harness. One was a pure 
 white animal. At the first sound or movement in the 
 camp he would sometimes quickly sneak away from 
 where he had nested all night and then lie down 
 quietly in the snow. So white and still was he that 
 it was impossible for the keenest eye to detect him in 
 the early morning starlight. No calling would bring 
 him. He just lay there perfectly still, and buried 
 enough to be even with the snow around him. When 
 he had one of these skulking tricks on him the quick- 
 est way to find him was for several Indians to begin 
 tramping in ever-widening circles around the camp 
 until they ran on him. He would never run away, 
 but his cunning trick was really more provoking than 
 if he did. He was at length broken of it by being 
 thoroughly blackened. Then, of course, he could be 
 easily seen. This so grieved and humiliated him that 
 he never tried the trick again, even after his beautiful 
 white coat was cleaned for him, much to his great 
 joy. 
 
 Some dogs, as soon as they hear the bells jingling 
 in the morning as their drivers come for them, will 
 skulk off into dark places in the forests. There it 
 is often difficult to find them. Then again some are 
 so wild that a rope at least sixty feet in length is tied 
 to their necks in the evening as they are unharnessed. 
 By tramping around them in the morning the driver 
 at length gets hold of the rope and draws in the 
 culprit. 
 
 A missionary who traveled some thousands of 
 
 miles every winter with dogs had about the most 
 15 225 
 
 *? 
 
 
 >f;, 
 
 .:• m 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 u 
 
 
 1^11 
 
 
mi 
 
 •t< 
 
 \ii 
 
 ii' 
 
 I ' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 satisfactory way of summarily dealing with skulkers. 
 He had in his own team a powerful St. Bernard, so 
 trained thar all he had to do was to show him the 
 collar of the missing dog and then send him after 
 the truant. Hamilton gave one smell at the collar 
 and then was off. If that dog was anywhere within 
 two miles he was driven into the camp in a hurry. 
 If a stubborn, obstinate dog objected to march in 
 before him, he gave him a shaking th.*. never had to 
 be repeated. Dogs have good memories for various 
 things. 
 
 The loading the sleds was not as easy a matter as 
 some might imagine. This the boys found out when 
 they tried to attend to the work themselves. As 
 stated somewhere else, the sleds are only sixteen 
 inches wide and ten feet long. They are made of 
 two oak boards lying on the flat and well fastened 
 together by crossbars. The front end is planed thin 
 and steamed, and is then curled up more or less 
 gracefully, according to the taste and skill of the 
 maker. They have no runners on them. They just 
 glide along on the smooth flat under surface that by 
 wear becomes like polished glass. Along each side 
 numerous loops are securely fastened. When the 
 empty sled is to be loaded the first thing is to spread 
 out over it one of these large deerskin wrappers, the 
 sled being under the exact middle. Then the various 
 articles constituting the load, blankets, robes, provi- 
 sions, kettles, guns, dog fish, and everything else, 
 are carefully piled up, the heaviest at the bottom, to 
 make the upsets as few as possible. Then the great 
 
 deerskin leather is carefully and tightly folded over 
 
 226 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ulkers. 
 ard, so 
 lim the 
 n after 
 e collar 
 ; within 
 I hurry, 
 larch in 
 r had to 
 various 
 
 natter as 
 )ut when 
 Ives. As 
 f sixteen 
 made of 
 fastened 
 aned thin 
 or less 
 ill of the 
 rhey just 
 .e that by 
 each side 
 Vhen the 
 to spread 
 ,pers, the 
 le various 
 .es, provi- 
 ling else, 
 lottom, to 
 the great 
 ;lded over 
 
 from both sides, and the whole is securely lashed on 
 
 by the strong deerskin ropes, which are passed from 
 
 side to side through the strong loops on the sled. An 
 
 experienced driver will so well tie on a great load of 
 
 the most miscellaneous articles that it will not give 
 
 an inch, or be in the slightest degree disarranged, no 
 
 matter how many times it may upset or roll over or 
 
 tumble down hillsides either end first or sideways. 
 
 So the boys, after finding that their best handiwork 
 
 in this line ofLen came to grief in bad places, were 
 
 glad to avail themselves of the assistance of a clever 
 
 Indian, and there was no more trouble. 
 
 One careful look all around to see that nothing has 
 
 been forgotten, and the cheery "Marche !" is heard. 
 
 Away rushes the guide, and another day's journey is 
 
 begun. 
 
 227 
 
 
 ■.i 
 
 :ii.' 
 
 ii 
 
 4 
 
 * |i 
 5.1 \ 
 
 % 
 
 
I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 f f 
 
 If ' . 
 
 ^1 
 
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 !5 
 
 •ii 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Still on the Way to the Beavers — The Blizzard in the Camp — 
 Sleeping and Eating under Difficulties — Vicious Little Beaver 
 Dogs — The Beaver House — Preparations for Their Capture — 
 The Beavers' Kitchens — Discovered hy the Little Dogs — How 
 Destroyed — The Method of Capture — Man's Experience 
 versus Animal Instinct — The Rich Harvest of Beavers. 
 
 Still on the way for the beavers ! 
 
 We are surely a long time getting there, but every 
 mile of the journey is interesting and full of novelty. 
 We left the blazing camp lire at a little this side of 
 the Wolf's Cove. The stars were shining brightly 
 in the heavens. Even the morning star, now so bril- 
 liant, had not as the harbinger of the great sun yet 
 made its appearance. 
 
 As a help to brighten up the trail for a short dis- 
 tance it is generally customary to pile on the fire, 
 before starting, all of the wood remaining. This 
 makes things look cheerful, and assists in the last 
 investigation of the camp that nothing, not even a 
 half-buried ax, is left behind. 
 
 At first the progress is not very rapid. It is fear- 
 fully cold. The dogs seem a little stiff, and some of 
 them act as though they would much prefer to re- 
 main near that cozy camp fire. But there is no time 
 for regrets or delays. 
 
 "Marche ! Marche !" is the cry, and as the whips, 
 
 wielded by dexterous hands, give out their emphatic 
 
 cracks the coldness and stiffness soon wear off, and 
 
 228 
 
: Camp— 
 e Beaver 
 rapture— 
 ,gs— How 
 xperience 
 rs. 
 
 mt every 
 
 novelty. 
 .s side of 
 
 brightly 
 vv so bril- 
 ,t sun yet 
 
 short dis- 
 i the fire, 
 ig. This 
 the last 
 lot even a 
 
 lit is fear- 
 Id some of 
 ]fer to re- 
 ts no time 
 
 the whips, 
 
 emphatic 
 
 ir off, and 
 
 u 
 
 > 
 
 n 
 
 <^ 
 
 o 
 
 3 
 
 a, 
 
 x: 
 
 '^ I m 
 
 i^ 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Pi f _ 
 
 
 
hhfi 
 
 "; 
 
 i ;. 
 
IN Tllli GRIi:AT LONL LaND 
 
 after the first mile or two the progress is very much 
 improved as dogs and men warm up to their work. 
 
 We need not dwell much longer on the jcjurney. 
 Enough has been given to enable every bright boy 
 and clever girl who reads these pages to see how it is 
 that travelers get along in a land where only the 
 canoe in summer and the dog-train in winter afford 
 them any possibilities for locomotion. Here are no 
 locomotives, but lots of locomotion, and the most of 
 it is done on foot, as often it is quite enough for the 
 dogs to drag the heavy loads through the deep snow 
 and in the long, tangled forests, without carrying an 
 additional man or boy. So it is walk, or run, or more 
 generally trot, as the case may be, as the dogs are able 
 to get on or the trail will permit. 
 
 Another long day with its glorious sunrise, and 
 then, after the weary hours of travel and the several 
 stops to eat, the sunset in cold splendor comes, and 
 with it Memotas calls for the halt. Then another 
 night in the woods, very similar to the one fully 
 described, is passed, with the exception that during 
 the hours of tru -bled slumber the fierce winds arose, 
 and the light, dry snow in the three piled-up snow- 
 banks of the camp was rudely seized hold of by rough 
 old Boreas and driven hither and thither in his own 
 rough way. Most of the snow^ seemed to find its 
 way back to the place from which the snowshoes 
 some hours before had thrown it, and now well it 
 is for our young lads that they are so completely 
 covered up in their bed, for the snow is now upon 
 them to the depth of a couple of feet. Fortunately, 
 
 the snow^ is like an extra blanket which Dame Nature 
 
 229 
 
 I t! 
 
 i 
 
 B i 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
 
 'ii 
 
 !: ' 
 
 
 s{-;; 
 
M'-' 
 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 
 IM 
 I'' 
 
 1 
 
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 : \ 
 
 \k 
 
 ; 1 
 
 1: 
 
 i ; 
 'I 
 
 1 . 1-:' . 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Duvs 
 
 has thrown upon them to add to their comfort. When 
 the storm was beginning, and they began to move 
 as some erratic snowtlakes were so twisted around 
 that they reached their faces, the guid^, who well 
 knew what a wretched night of discomfort would be 
 theirs if they now, in the 1)linding storm, uncovered 
 their heads, shouted to them with a good deal of 
 sternness, "Do not uncover your heads; lie still and 
 sleep." This after a little efifort they were able to do. 
 The fun, or rather discomfort, came in the morning, 
 when the cry to get up was heard. Suddenly they 
 sprang up, but in spite of all their (juickness some of 
 the snow went into their faces, and down their necks, 
 and — well, it w-as far from agreeable. 
 
 The outlook was dismal enough. The storm still 
 continued raging. There was, in addition to the 
 wind playing all sorts of pranks with what had 
 already fallen, now a heavy snowfall besides. It 
 seemed to penetrate everywhere. It forced its way 
 into their eyes and noses and pockets, and tried to get 
 under their caps and capotes. The fire was com- 
 pletely extinguished. In fact, where the bright, 
 blazing fire was so cheerily throwing out its heat and 
 warmth when they were tucked in by the faithful 
 Indian, now a great snowdrift occupied the very 
 spot. 
 
 The experienced travelers in these lands, even 
 under such conditions and worse, do not lose heart. 
 Quickly they went to work. Strong axes soon felled 
 more dry trees and cut them into logs. Others, with 
 snowshoes as shovels, soon cleared away the snow- 
 drift from the fireplace. A skillful firemaker soon 
 
 230 
 
Vhen 
 move 
 ound 
 well 
 ikl be 
 vcred 
 :al of 
 11 and 
 to do. 
 rning, 
 / they 
 )me of 
 necks, 
 
 m still 
 to the 
 it had 
 ES. It 
 ts way 
 to get 
 com- 
 |bright, 
 ;at and 
 laithful 
 |e very 
 
 even 
 heart, 
 felled 
 
 IS, with 
 snow- 
 
 \Y soon 
 
 m 
 
 IN Tiiii CiREAT Lone Land 
 
 had the dry kindling and cliips under the logs in a 
 blaze, and now the wind onlv fanned the tlanics to a 
 greater brightness. 
 
 As the downfall of snow continues very heavy 
 some tough poles are cut down and one end of them 
 so fastened in the snow that they are firmly held. 
 They are so slanted toward the fire, with the wind in 
 the rear, that when roofed over with the big deerskin 
 and a couple drt)pped each side it is astonishing how 
 comfortably sheltered a few persons thus can be. 
 The active Indians shook the dry snow off from some 
 robes, and placing them as a floor Mr. Ross and the 
 boys were soon under a storm-tight roof and gazing 
 into the great fire just before them, that gave them 
 both warmth and cheer. A hot breakfast was en- 
 joyed as soon as the Indians could cook it. 
 
 Some of the Indians improvised a similar lean-to 
 for themselves, while others stood out in the gale 
 around the fire perfectly unconcerned. To them the 
 heavy storm was as little heeded as the songs of the 
 robins in springtime, or the summer zephyrs among 
 the trees. 
 
 Owing to the delay of a half day on account of 
 this disagreeable storm, the party did not reach the 
 vicinity of the beaver house until toward evening. 
 So it was resolved to find a good place for the camp, 
 as the Indian hunters who owned this house said they 
 would not take the beavers until the third day in the 
 afternoon, and tlren they would take all they decided 
 to in a short time. This was, of course, all a mystery 
 to the boys, and so they were obliged to Lave pa- 
 tience and witness the contest between animal instinct 
 
 231 
 
 .1: 
 
 ii 
 
 4. Jl 
 
Ifl 
 
 (1 . 
 
 
 
 WiNTKR AdVKNTURKS OF Til KICK BoYS 
 
 and cunning and tnaiTs reason, <)t)scrvati()n, and 
 ingenuity. 
 
 The spot selected for the camp was not far from 
 the heaver house, vvliich stood in its symmetrical pro- 
 portions well covered with snow, and looked like a 
 great haystack in some farmer's yard at home. 
 
 The hoys had ohserved on the sled of these Indians 
 who owned the heaver house a little wickerlikc 
 hasket well lined with rahhit .skin. One day when 
 peering into it two fierce little dogs snapped at them 
 most viciously, and seemed very much annoyed at 
 their intrusion. In the evening at the camp fire they 
 asked Mr. Ross ahout them, and were surprised to 
 hear that they are what are called heaver dogs. He 
 said they were valuahle, for with their help the In- 
 dians would get the beaver in a very novel way, 
 which chey would see commenced to-morrow. Mr. 
 Ross cautioned the hoys not to put their naked hands 
 near the vicious brutes, as they were very fierce and 
 especially disliked white people. 
 
 The camp was a well-sheltered, comfortable one 
 for such a place, and as the storm had completely 
 passed away, the evening, although very cold, was 
 a fairly enjoyable one. The routine at this camp was 
 similar to the first. The only excitement the boys 
 had was when one of the Indians came in from ex- 
 ploring the beaver house and dam and told them 
 that a - rge wolverine was seen walking on the dam 
 the beavers had made, and then round and round the 
 beaver house. 
 
 "Beaver plenty safe there," he added, in his broken 
 
 English. "Wall four feet thick. Frost make all like 
 
 232 
 
 \f -4 
 
and 
 
 from 
 
 pre) - 
 
 ike a 
 
 clians 
 erlike 
 when 
 them 
 ^ed at 
 e tliey 
 sed to 
 V He 
 he In- 
 l way, 
 , Mr. 
 hands 
 ce and 
 
 )le one 
 Ipletely 
 |d, was 
 
 ip was 
 le boys 
 
 )m ex- 
 
 them 
 
 he dam 
 
 md the 
 
 Ibroken 
 lall like 
 
 IN TiiK (Irkat Lonf*: Land 
 
 stone. Only one door, and that under tlic thick ice 
 and water. Wolverine no catch !)eavcr in that 
 house." Then he added: "Heaver there for Injun 
 to take. White hoys see how him do it (|uick, two 
 days more. Plenty wo;k first, then plenty heaver." 
 
 This picturesque talk to the hoys was verv inter- 
 esting", and so they were all eager to see, as Stui 
 said, "the curtain go up and the show begin." 
 
 As nothing could he done the next day before ilay- 
 light, there was no particular hurry in getting up. 
 After giving orders to the men who were left in 
 charge at the camp to see that the dogs there re- 
 mained, and that everything was kept in the best of 
 order, and dinner ready at a certain hour, Mr. Ross 
 and the boys, like the rest, strapped on their snow- 
 shoes and away they tramped. The Indian hunters 
 had the little dogs with them. These they carefully 
 carried and kept covered up when not at work. The 
 boys were first taken to the top of a hill, from which 
 the whole pond, dam, and beaver house could be 
 distinctly seen. Then Mr. Ross explained that, while 
 the beaver generally dwelt in their house during the 
 winter, they had in addition what the Indians called 
 kitchens. These were cunningly hid along the shore 
 at the edge of the ice. All were now out of sight and 
 under the snow. They were ingeniously made, in 
 such a way that the beaver by frequently visiting 
 them and breaking away the ice, as it formed on the 
 inside, could thus keep them open. They were really 
 breathing places for the beaver in case they should 
 be attacked in their houses and driven out. 
 
 Inexperienced hunters often try to get the beaver 
 
 2.33 
 
 I '. 
 
 m flw 
 
 
 I 
 
 i ' 
 
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 ' ; 
 
 
 m 
 
 • 1!' 
 
 ■If' 
 
 il 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ])y chopping, digging, or even blasting with gun- 
 powder a hole into the beaver house. If the pond is 
 well supplied with kitchens, or breathing places, the 
 beavers need only laugh at such hunters, for just as 
 soon as they become alarmed by these outside noises 
 they plunge into the water, which is always open in 
 the warm house, and dive out under the outer edge 
 and a\\'ay they go under the thick ice to the kitchens, 
 which are so cunningly l.id away. There they 
 quietly remain and breathe the air which is necessary, 
 as it comes through the light snow and through the 
 rushes and reeds from which they keep the ice. 
 When the noise is over and the beavers think that 
 their enemies have gone, they go back to the house. 
 If the invaders have much destroyed the house, the 
 beavers desert it entirely and live in these kitchens 
 until the spring freshets come and melt and carry 
 away the ice. 
 
 Sometimes a large colony of beavers with a big 
 house will have twenty kitchens. If one is discovered 
 they swim to another. We must remember that the 
 beaver, although an amphibious animal and able to 
 remain quite a time under water, requires fresh air, 
 and so must go where he can get it, or he will die. 
 The length of time that a beaver can live under the 
 ice without air is a matter of dispute, even among 
 the experienced hunters themselves. They all, how- 
 ever, agree in saying that, when beavers find all of 
 their retreats cut off, as a last resort they come up to 
 the ice and breathe out the air in their lungs against 
 the ice, and then, when it is good, they ])reathe it in 
 
 again. But the trouble is that they lose some air 
 
 234 
 
 ¥ 
 
leainst 
 le it in 
 le air 
 
 IN thp: Grkat Lone Land 
 
 bubbles each time, and so they soon become ex- 
 hausted and die. 
 
 In the meantime, while these interesting explana- 
 tions were being made to the boys the Indians had 
 commenced their operations. They had cut down a 
 couple of small green birch trees which were eight or 
 ten inches in diameter. Then they cut off lengths 
 of about eight feet each. On these they vigorously 
 set to work with their axes, and so cut or trimmed 
 these down, except a foot or fifteen inches at one 
 end, so that when finished they were like gigantic 
 pounders. 
 
 With these made and thrown over their shoulders 
 they took their way to the pond, only carrying in 
 addition the two little dogs. When the pond was 
 reached the little dogs were set down in the snow 
 near the edge. At first they only moaned and shiv- 
 ered and begged to be again taken up by their 
 masters. These, however, had no intention of doing 
 anything of the kind. 
 
 "Umisk ! Umisk !" they excitedly cried, and soon 
 this Indian word for *'beaver" began to have its ef- 
 fect upon the dogs. Pricking up their ears, they 
 began running about, until at length, with a couple 
 of yelps of triumph, they were off. They hurried 
 away as fast as their little legs could carry them 
 through the light snow to a spot near the shore. 
 Here they began making the snow fly as rapidly as 
 was possible with their fore paws. One of the In- 
 dians assisted them by utilizing his snowshoe as a 
 shovel, and, sure enough, there at the very edge of 
 
 the ice they found a mass of rushes and grass most 
 
 235 
 
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 S 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 cunningly arranged, with a little space in the center 
 where it was open water. This was a beaver's kitchen 
 that had been so cunningly discovered by the keen 
 scent of the little gs. 
 
 As soon as it had been discovered the Indians 
 quickly picked up the little dogs and stowed the 
 shivering creatures in warm bags on their backs. 
 Now the boys were able to see the use to which these 
 great big pounders, hewn out of the young birch 
 trees, were put. With both of them the men began 
 vigorously pounding down the coarse grass and 
 rushes, and left the place so exposed that in a few 
 hours it would be so solidly frozen over that not a 
 particle of air could enter. 
 
 Leaving this kitchen now completely destroyed, 
 they began skirting the shore for a little distance up 
 farther from the beaver house. Once more they 
 lifted the little dogs out of the warm bags and placed 
 the shivering animals on the ice. Then again the cry 
 rang out, "Umisk! Umisk!" The result was as 
 before. Like as an electric shock these words acted 
 upon these queer little dogs, and at once they seemed 
 to forget all about the cold and most vigorously set 
 to work, and in a very few minutes had discovered 
 another kitchen. This one was destroyed in the same 
 manner as was the first. 
 
 Thus on and on they cautiously prospected and 
 worked. At one place where they had gone, but a 
 short distance from the last kitchen destroyed, sud- 
 denly one of the little dogs obstinately turned back 
 and rushed to a spot where even Ihe most experienced 
 
 Indian had not the slightest suspicion of anything 
 
 236 
 
Oin->**«*<* * fc A i..»^ i.^. —>■»->*. vMjyfcji^iaJii *»4l!£.Mb>lr«-^ 
 
 j;- 
 
 I \ 
 
 and 
 
 I but a 
 
 sud- 
 
 back 
 
 ienced 
 
 rtbing 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 being until the keen instinct of the dog discovered 
 it. Following up the little fellow to the spot where 
 he was now barking most furiously, the men had 
 not dug long in the snow before they found the most 
 cunningly hid away kitchen on the whole pond. So 
 large was it, and so well arranged as the breathing 
 place of a large number of beavers, that the hunters 
 declared that if they had let that single one escape 
 them they would have completely failed when they 
 made their attack upon the beaver house. This 
 sharpness on the part of the little dog made the men 
 the more careful, and so it was noon ere the end of 
 the pond was reached and about half of this work 
 was completed. 
 
 Dinner was ready for all when they returned to 
 the camp. The boys were hungry and the cold had 
 helped to sharpen their appetites. 
 
 "How is it?" said Sam, "that I find myself picking 
 out the fattest part of the meat and hardly caring to 
 eat anything else?" 
 
 "That is," said Mr. Ross, "because you are in first- 
 class health. And Nature, true to her instincts, is 
 giving you and the rest of us the craving for just the 
 kind of food that is now best adapted to our require- 
 ments. Fat food has more heat in it than any other 
 kind, and so that which you here crave is that which 
 is really the most suitable. Living as we now are 
 day and night out in the open air in this sharp cold 
 weather, we require much more heat to keep us up 
 to our normal temperature than if we were inside of 
 the warm walls of Sagasta-weekee." 
 
 When dinner was ended the party returned to the 
 
 237 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 pond, and the work of discovering- and destroying 
 the remaining heavers' kitchens went on all the after- 
 noon. The following night the two Indian hunters, 
 upon whom so much depended, did not take any 
 sleep, but with their heavy pounders kept on the alert 
 against the efforts of the clever beavers. When they 
 returned to the camp for a hasty breakfast in the 
 morning they repoi ted that they had had a very busy 
 night, as the beavers seemed to have become pos- 
 sessed with the idea that an attack was soon to be 
 made upon them in their house. The result was 
 they were very active all night, and persistent in their 
 efforts to break through the new ice as it formed, 
 and thus, if possible, keep some of their kitchens 
 available in case of need. Some were so bold that if 
 the Indians had been so inclined they could easily 
 have speared them, as they so bravely charged the 
 new ice with their heads and broke it up. They said 
 that at that largest kitchen, which they so nearly 
 overlooked, the beavers made their most persistent 
 attacks. At times as many as a half dozen would 
 together strike bravely at the ice. However, they 
 thought that they had now succeeded in getting 
 e\ery place frozen air-tight and they could safely 
 begin the work of attack upon the house, so that they 
 would be ready by to-morrow to begin the capture 
 of the beaver. 
 
 Axes and ice chisels were the powerful tools re- 
 quired to-day, Beginning at the shore on each side 
 of the beaver house, the Indians cut two channels in 
 the ice about a foot wide and so converging that 
 
 they met about six feet in front of the house. Then 
 
 238 
 
'il 
 
 IS re- 
 side 
 
 t\s in 
 that 
 'hen 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 the ice was cut out about ten feet further into the 
 pond directly in front of the house. The capital 
 letter Y will give a correct idea of the cuttings thus 
 made. The upper two lines are the ones from the 
 shore on each side of the beaver house; the lower 
 and wider part of the letter represents the channel 
 cut in front. This was perhaps ten feet long and 
 about two feet in width. 
 
 The next step was by careful measurement with a 
 long pole to find the depth of the water in these 
 channels thus free of ice. When this was done every- 
 body able to handle an ax was soon busily at work 
 cutting down small trees into poles not less than four 
 inches in diameter and so long that when well driven 
 in the mud the tops would still be considerably above 
 the ice. None but straight, strong ones were of any 
 use. Then, beginning close to the shore, the Indians, 
 using, of course, the shorter poles where the water 
 was shallow, began driving them in the mud through 
 the channels cut in the ice, They worked very care- 
 fully, for the beaver when aroused is a strong as well 
 as a cunning animal, and the hunter who would not 
 fail must be prepared for every emergency. The 
 poles were driven in the two upper sides until the 
 approaching columns of them came within about two 
 feet of each other at the front. From this point the 
 Indians turned and began driving the poles in the 
 mud in two lines, parallel to each other, running out 
 into the pond. This left a channel, allowing for the 
 diameter of the poles, of, say, from twelve to fifteen 
 inches wide and ten feet long. 
 
 Carefully examining and testing over and over 
 
 239 
 
 ^li 
 
 ^ 
 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 again the grip of each pole which had been driven 
 into the mud at the bottom of the pond, the men 
 were at length well satisfied with their work and 
 said: ''Very good. Injun have much fine beaver 
 this time. We will have beavers' tails for supper to- 
 morrow night." 
 
 So anxious were those Indian hunters that even 
 during the second night they slept but little, and 
 several times slipped away from the camp and walked 
 around from kitchen to kitchen to see that in every 
 place the ice was firm and unbroken. In the morn- 
 ing, when all were at breakfast, they reported that 
 as the cold had become so intense they felt confident 
 of success and anticipated the capture of a large 
 number of beaver. For days they had been working 
 up to this consummation. Experienced men grimly 
 and remorselessly had pitted their long years of ex- 
 perience against the instincts and cunning of a colony 
 of beavers, and as it always is, in the end, man must 
 conquer. 
 
 "What are you going to do next?" is the question 
 
 of the boys. All the answer, however, they receive 
 
 is to be patient and they will soon see for themselves. 
 
 Their interest, however, is increased when to all is 
 
 uttered the command, "Get all the guns ready, and 
 
 load them heavily with powder." With several 
 
 extra charges they are all soon on their way to the 
 
 beaver house. When there they find that the water 
 
 in the channel cut in the front yesterday has ice on it 
 
 fully six inches in thickness. This will give some 
 
 idea of the severity of the cold, but nobody seems to 
 
 notice it in the excitement of the hour. Very quickly 
 
 240 
 
 If, ^ 
 
lestion 
 [eceive 
 ielves. 
 all is 
 , and 
 ieveral 
 Ito the 
 water 
 on it 
 some 
 ;ms to 
 luickly 
 
 IN tttE Great Lone Land 
 
 is this ice hroken up and thrown out on the frozen 
 surface of the pond. 
 
 One of the Indians has in his hand a long, stiff rod 
 ahout the size of a bamboo fish pole. This will play 
 an important part in the capture of the beaver, as we 
 shall see later on. The next part of the program is 
 of great interest to the boys. Everybody now goes 
 to the land side of the beaver house, and at once there 
 begins the greatest din and racket it is possible for 
 the whole party to make. The guns are all fired off, 
 and loaded and fired again and again. The men with 
 their great pounders most vigorously beat against 
 the solid walls on the land side, as though they would 
 burst in upon the now terrified inhabitants.* This 
 attack and noise continued until it is supposed that 
 all of the frightened animals have fled away from the 
 house, which they .Just have imagmed was about 
 being knocked to pieces about their ears. The result 
 is the house is deserted, and the now frightened 
 beaver are away out somewhere in the pond, swim- 
 ming under the ice. 
 
 As soon as the Indians feel confident that all have 
 forsaken the house they hurry out on the pond in the 
 front. Here in the open water, in the space between 
 the poles which were so solidly driven, the long 
 slender pole is pushed down firmly through the water 
 into the mud at the bottom of the pond. One of the 
 Indians now quickly pulls off his shirt sleeve, as well 
 as that of his coat, and throws himself down on the 
 ice close to the open channel whch has been de- 
 scribed. His comrade quickly throws a warm 
 
 blanket over him to at least partly protect him from 
 1 6 241 
 
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 ^1 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the intense cold. Then, arming himself with a heavy 
 ax, this second Indian quietly steps back a pace or 
 two. 
 
 *'Hush! Everybody keep still or sit down on the 
 ice, and do ncc utter a word. Do not move your 
 feet on the ice; do not even breathe heavily, for 
 beavers have wonderful powers of hearing." 
 
 Promptly had everyone obeyed Mr. Ross, who 
 had uttered these commands. He had placed the 
 boys where they could easily see the wonderful way 
 in which these experienced hunters would quickly 
 gather up their beaver harvest after all their effort 
 and toil. 
 
 But' where are the beavers ? They are in all proba- 
 bility out under the ice, swimming about from one 
 kitchen to another, vainly trying to find one in which 
 they can get their lungs full of fresh air. If the men 
 and those saucy little dogs have been successful in 
 closing up all of these resorts, vain are the beavers' 
 efforts. For a long time these wonderful creatures 
 are able to keep alive under water, but there is a limit 
 to this ability, and then it becomes a matter of life 
 or death to them. Thus it now was with these bea- 
 vers. They had been frightened from their home, 
 and had hoped to be able to obtain fresh air at places 
 carefully prepared for just such emergencies. But, 
 alas ! these have failed them, and now there is noth- 
 ing else to do but to make the effort to get back to 
 their home as soon as possible. This they now find 
 is no easy matter. A strange barricade of stakes is 
 in the way, and there is only one opening, and even 
 
 that is a very narrow one. But they are now in such 
 
 242 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 javy 
 e or 
 
 1 the 
 your 
 , for 
 
 who 
 \ the 
 I way 
 lickly 
 effort 
 
 )roba- 
 [n one 
 which 
 le men 
 
 ul in 
 
 avers 
 atures 
 hmit 
 of Ufe 
 e bea- 
 lome, 
 places 
 But, 
 noth- 
 ack to 
 w find 
 kes is 
 d even 
 n such 
 
 sad straits for fresh air that they must try that one 
 place and get to their home or perish. 
 
 Meanwhile the boys, sitting so still and quiet on 
 ;tie ice, began to think that it was getting very 
 inonotonous, especially Sam, who found it to be ex- 
 tremely difficult to have to hold his tongue so long. 
 But look ! The top of that long slender twig is being 
 roughly shaken, and quick as a flash down goes the 
 naked arm of the alert Indian, and as rapidly does it 
 come up again, and in the strong grasp of his hand 
 is a fine, large beaver. With a sudden swinging 
 movement he sends it sprawling out on the ice, where 
 his comrade is waiting to dispatch it with his ax. 
 
 Now the boys see the important part played by 
 
 that little stick. See, it moves again, and once more 
 
 the long, naked arm is thrust down and another 
 
 great beaver is thrown out on the ice. This one, like 
 
 his predecessor, is quickly dispatched. For a time 
 
 all is still again. The beavers crowding behind these 
 
 two that have been so readily captured have been 
 
 frightened by their sudden movements, so unnatural, 
 
 and so they hesitated to follow. Bui others are 
 
 closely following behind, and all are suffering acutely 
 
 now for the want of fresh air, and thus it is only a 
 
 minute or two before the moving stick tells the story 
 
 that another beaver is making the attempt to reach a 
 
 spot where he can get some fresh air. Vain indeed 
 
 are his efforts, for no sooner does he touch that fatal 
 
 stick than down goes that strong, muscular hand and 
 
 arm and he is thrown out on the ice, to be killed in 
 
 the same manner as were his fellows. 
 
 See what a splendid black beaver that is ! But, O 
 
 243 
 
 i'l 
 •i.;i| 
 
 M 
 
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 II. 
 
 ■• 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 dear ! he has lost him. Yes, he has. That is too bad, 
 and he brought him up far enough for his head to be 
 out of the water, and so he once more filled up his 
 lungs, and as he tumbled in he fell beyond the stick. 
 So that one is lost for this year. 
 
 But there is no time for mourning over the loss of 
 one, e\'en if he was a beauty. They crowd up quickly 
 now, and the Indians are busy. They keep cool and 
 alert, for the harvest is increasing. 
 
 The condition of the beavers is now so desperate 
 that recklessly they are crowding on, and although 
 the man is pulling them out as rapidly as possible it 
 is evident that numbers, especially of the smaller 
 ones, are slipping by and thus are lost for that year. 
 In order to secure a greater number the second In- 
 dian gives his ax to Mr. Ross and goes to the help 
 of his comrade. 
 
 No need of quiet now. The remaining beavers 
 must get by that stick or perish, and as they make the 
 attempt, while some are captured, many others es- 
 cape. Thus it goes on until the last one has either 
 been secured by the Indians or has eluded them. Let 
 us hope that he escaped to live another year. 
 
 "Count the spoils, boys," shouts Mr. Ross. No 
 second command is needed. They collect them to- 
 gether and find that there are forty-seven of them, 
 and not a small one among them. In addition, there 
 were plenty that escaped to restock the house, and in 
 two years it will in all probability be as rich a beaver 
 
 harvest field as it has been to-day. 
 
 244 
 
 1 ! 
 
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 ! 
 
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 II 
 
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 6 
 
 J3 
 

 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Wise Economy of Indian Hunters — Game Never all Killed—' 
 Beavers' Tails — The Boys Interested in Them — Preparations 
 for the Return Trip — Loads Packed — Wolverines — Their Cun- 
 ning Theft of Five Beavers — Dogs and Men on Their Trail — 
 Surviving Beavers Already at Work — The Return of the Hunt- 
 ers — Captured Wolverines — Journey Resumed — The Camp — 
 The Cry of "Wolves!" 
 
 Allowing a nunil)cr of the heavers to escape was 
 the ahiiost universal custom of those northern In- 
 dian hunters. They never killed all the game of any 
 kind. Thus where they alone hunted the forests 
 continued to yield their yearly supplies. But when 
 the white trapper enters with his steel traps and poi- 
 sons he kills all before him, if possible, even if he 
 does not secure one half of it. The result is that 
 great regions once rich in valuable fur-bearing ani- 
 mals are now as completely denuded of them as are 
 the prairies of the once countless herds of buffalo. 
 Pathetic is the picture of the last of the buffalo ! 
 
 The call, loud and clear, was set^.t by the far-reach- 
 ing voice of one of the hunters to the watchers at the 
 camp, and speedily in answer came a couple of trains 
 of dogs. These were attached to the two now well- 
 filled sleds, and the whole party, flushed with tri- 
 umph at their success, returned to the camp. They 
 are all in good trim for their dinner, and speedily is 
 it dispatched, for all these beavers must be skinned, 
 if possible, before they freeze. 
 
 The Indian servants of Mr. Ross aid the hunters, 
 
 246 
 
•( i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 •i 
 
 and so the work is rapidly done. As the flesh of the 
 beaver is very much prized as an article of food, the 
 carcasses were carefully prepared. The tails were 
 left attached to the bodies with the exception of a 
 half dozen, which were left out for the evening meal. 
 These tails very much interested and amused the 
 boys, not only on account of their odd appearance, 
 but because of the many queer tales they had heard 
 about them. The tail of the beaver serves as a rud- 
 der to its owner when he is swimming. It aids him 
 in various ways when he is building his cozy house 
 and marvelously constructed dam. Next to his pow- 
 erful teeth it is his best weapon of defense, as with it 
 he can strike a very heavy blow\ Thus it was no 
 wonder that the boys were interested in these half 
 dozen tails on which they expected to dine that 
 evening. 
 
 The process of preparation was very simple. The 
 tails were from twelve to fifteen inches long and 
 from six to eight inches in width, and about an inch 
 thick. They were oval-shaped, somewhere resembling 
 in appearance a mason's trowel. They were covered 
 with close-fitting, fishlike scales. The first thing 
 necessary in preparing them for the table is to hold 
 them so close to a hot fire that the scales will speedily 
 blister off. The next thing is to boil them for a long 
 time, especially if they are the tails of old beavers. 
 Then it is best to allow them to get thoroughly cold, 
 as they taste very much better then than when eaten 
 hot. In carving them the correct method is to cut 
 the meat in long strips from the powerful central 
 
 bone. These are then to be served up and eaten with 
 
 246 
 
it 
 
 ::i|;tl 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 a little salt. Beavers' tails thus prepared make a very 
 dainty dish. Indeed, it is one of the great delicacies 
 of the country, prized alike by both Indians and 
 travelers. The other two great delicacies of the 
 country are the moose's nose and the bear's paws. 
 
 "That looks queer to me," said Sam, "that the 
 delicacies of a coun^'^ should be the beaver's tail, the 
 bear's paws, and the moose's nose. If such is the 
 case, you see that when here eating even the delica- 
 cies of the land you are reduced to extremities !" 
 
 "A very good one, Sam," shouted the boys. "Old 
 Ireland forever !" 
 
 The beavers' tails, although never tasted before 
 by the boys, were very much enjoyed by them. They 
 racked their brains and memories to try and think of 
 some article of food that had a taste somewhat simi- 
 lar, but had to give it up. So they had to agree with 
 Alec that if you wished to know^ just how beavers' 
 tails tasted — well, you must eat one. 
 
 As the evening promised to be a calm and beautiful 
 one, Mr. Ross said that they had better start not long 
 after midnight. They could travel on the back trail 
 until they reached the camp where the storm had 
 struck them without much difficulty ; after which in 
 all probability they would have to make a fresh trail. 
 A blizzard storm in that land quickly obliterates a 
 trail, and thus the return journey is often made with- 
 out a single evidence of any other trip ever having 
 been made in that region of country. Their great 
 success in capturing so many beavers meant a large 
 additional weight on their sleds. However, against 
 that was the fact that their vigorous appetites haci 
 
 ERl' ' 
 
 1'' 
 
 \ w. 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 very considerably reduced the weight of their outfit, 
 and in addition their dogs had, since they left home, 
 devoured about a thousandweight of fish. Forty- 
 seven beavers weigh a good deal when they have to 
 be drawn many scores of miles on dog-sleds, and so, 
 in spite of the lightened loads, it was no easy matter 
 to arrange them on the sleds. 
 
 That they might be ready to make the desired start 
 in good time it was thought best that Mr. Ross and 
 the boys should go to bed in their camp outfit as has 
 been described, while the men should load up the 
 sleds as far as possible, just leaving sufficient room 
 in the deerskin wrappings for the packing away of 
 the bedding and the other essentials required at the 
 midnight meal. This meant that the Indians would 
 have at least two hours' less sleep than the whites. 
 This would be no unusual occurrence. As a general 
 thing the Indians sleep very little when traveling, in 
 summer or winter. This is especially the case when 
 they are employed as canoemen or dog-drivers. 
 They are so alert and vatchful and anxious that 
 everything should go right, that often white men 
 have traveled for weeks together with several of 
 these red men in their employ without ever having 
 once seen one of them asleep. They seldom think of 
 lying down until long after their employers have 
 gone to sleep, and then they are up long before them 
 in the mornings. And yet how few there are who 
 have given these most vigilant and faithful of com- 
 rades or servants their due meed of praise! 
 
 To the music of the few quiet, whispered words of 
 the men, as they actively attended to the work of 
 
M^.1 
 
 mi 
 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 packing up the sleds, Mr. Ross and the boys quickly 
 fell into dreamless slumber. When the men had 
 finished packing and fastening up the loads they 
 dragged them out in line on the homeward trail, leav- 
 ing sufficient space between the sleds for the dogs 
 wlien they should be harnessed to them. The result 
 was that the whole line of sleds, when thus stretched 
 out, extended quite a distance from the camp. 
 
 Loud were the shoutings and many were the in- 
 dignant utterances which quickly aroused Mr. Ross 
 and his young bedfellows from their slumbers. 
 
 ''What is the matter?" demanded Mr. Ross. 
 
 ''Wolverines !" was the quick response. 
 
 Great indeed was the excitement, and at first the 
 boys cpuld hardly realize how the mention of that 
 one word could cause such commotion. Even Mr. 
 Ross was about as much excited as anyone else. 
 While guns were being loaded, and other prepara- 
 tions were being made for a speedy hunt, the cause 
 of all the excitement was soon told. It was that in 
 spite of the presence of so many persons and dogs 
 the wolverines had crept up to the sleds and had 
 stolen away five of the best beavers, and in addition 
 had so badly scented with their horrid odor more 
 than a dozen others that they were absolutely 
 worthless. 
 
 "How was it possible that none of the dogs de- 
 tected them ?" asked Mr. Ross. "They are generally 
 sleeping in various places around the camp. I am 
 sure I cannot understand how those brutes, craning 
 as they are, could play such a trick upon us." 
 
 In response to this one of the men explained that 
 
 249 
 
 i a 
 
BiE'iirmTrti 
 
 \il 
 
 ♦ 
 
 9 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 -liter they had finished arranging t'leir loads they 
 went out and brought into the camp all of the dogs, 
 so as to have no trouble in finding them wh'^n they 
 would be required. They stated also that during the 
 brief time they tried to get a little sleep some of the 
 dogs were very restless, and they had to speak sternly 
 to them to induce them to be quiet. Then he added : 
 
 "The dogs most uneasy were those of Sam's train. 
 Several times they growled, and were very uneasy. 
 Spitfire was the worst, and acted like a dog ready for 
 a fight." 
 
 The stupid drivers, instead of calling the hunters, 
 who were very sleepy from the fact that they had had 
 hardly any sleep for several nights past, sternly 
 threatened the dogs, and thus succeeded in quieting 
 them down. After a time some disagreeably tainted 
 air reached the sensitive nostrils of one of the Indian 
 hunters. He did not require a second sniff to tell him 
 what it indicated. With a bound he was up. Sud- 
 denly rousing his comrade, they rushed out into the 
 gloom of the forest. Unfortunately for them, the 
 fire was about out, and so at first it was impossible to 
 see how great had been their loss from these stealthy, 
 cunning animals. It was when they had rushed back 
 to the camp, and were rousing up the other men and 
 rebuilding the fire, that the commotion was made 
 which had so suddenly called up Mr. Ross and the 
 boys. A casual glance had enabled them to see, as 
 we have mentioned, something of the nature of their 
 loss. On a closer investigation it was found that the 
 damage was even much greater. 
 
 What was to be done ? This was the question now 
 
 250 
 
 ■;,:>-v 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 now 
 
 discus-ea, aiiii quickly was a decision arrived at. It 
 was o Oi^-janize a party and have them get on the 
 trai" jf I he wolverines and follow them up until they 
 wen reached. It was decid*?d that those dogs which 
 manifested any great eagerness to pick up and fol- 
 low on the trail should be the ones encouraged to 
 push on as rapidly as possible, while the hunters with 
 their guns should follow as speedily as it could be 
 done in the dense, gloomy forest. 
 
 Spitfire and the rest of Sam's train were the first 
 when taken to the place to immediately pick up the 
 scent, and, as soon as they were encouraged by Sam 
 to do so, away they ttash'^d in the gloom. Bruce and 
 his comrades were equally as eager, and as Alec's 
 cheery voice rang out his dogs quickly responded, 
 and away they sped on the Ixv trail of the audacious, 
 cunning thieves. The two hunter-; und a couple of 
 Mr. Loss's best men. with their guns well loaded and 
 with their snowsnoes on their feet, as rapidly as was 
 possible strode after them. 
 
 Mr. Ross and the boys waited until the last sounds 
 of the dog? were lost in the distance, and then, by the 
 liph^- of the now brilliant camp fire, made a more 
 careful inspection of the sleds, and so were able to 
 sec the full extent of the depredations niade by these 
 most cunning of all animals in those regions. There 
 they not only saw the full extent -^ :" their destructive- 
 ness, but under the guidance of the Indian now keep- 
 ing watch over the s'eds they were able, by following 
 back on their tracks, to see how five wolverines had 
 outwitted the whole of them, dogs included. 
 
 When they returned to the warmth and cheer of 
 
 2SI 
 
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 ,4.-. 
 
 X>-v>-t, 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the camp fire they found that old Memotas and others 
 had prepared for them a good warm breakfast. 
 While it was being partaken of Frank turned to 
 Memotas and said : 
 
 *'How is it that you, who are so great a hunter, are 
 not off in the woods with those other men ?" 
 
 With a grim, sarcastic smile he replied : "Better 
 some one stay in camp for fear wolverines come in 
 on other side and steal what is left." 
 
 This answer was at first quite a riddle to the boys. 
 But the fact was he was so thoroughly disgusted at 
 the remissness of those whose duty had been to have 
 watched that night that he felt that a great dis- 
 grace had come to them all. The idea of allowing 
 five wolverines to thus steal such a march upon them 
 was too much for even the patient, kind-hearted 
 Memotas. 
 
 "Why," said he, "it will be the story at every camp 
 fire this winter — yes, and for long years to come. 
 We all know that wolverines are cunning animals, 
 but when the fact is known that there were so many 
 of us in the camp at the time that five beavers were 
 stolen from our sleds — why, great will be their ridi- 
 cule and contempt for us." 
 
 It was indeed a long time since Memotas had made 
 such a long speech of this kind, and so when he 
 stopped there was an awkward silence. Even Mr. 
 Ross had nothing to say. It was very evident, how- 
 ever, that he felt that there had been very great care- 
 lessness on the part of somebody, and perhaps he 
 chided himself that he had not interested himself in 
 the matter. However, he had his hopes that in spite 
 
 
IN THE Grhat Lone Land 
 
 made 
 ;n be 
 
 Mr. 
 how- 
 care- 
 
 s be 
 elf in 
 
 spite 
 
 of tbe cunning of tbe wolverines tbc men would 
 succeed in killing some of tliem, and as one wol- 
 verine skin is wortb four beaver skins, if tliey were 
 successful tliere would at least be some satisfaction 
 in tbat. 
 
 As it was still a long time until dayligbt tbe boys 
 were persuaded to lie down in tbeir bed, and Memo- 
 tas carefully tucked tbem in. Refresbing sleep 
 speedily came to tbem again, and wben tliey awoke 
 it was to bear Mr, Ross giving some final instruc- 
 tions to tbree dog-drivers wbo were just ab(3Ut to 
 start on tbe trail made at midnigbt l)y tbe wolver- 
 ines, barking dogs and avigiy, indignant bunters. 
 Wrapped securely upon tbeir sleds was a liberal 
 supply of food, witb kettles, axes, and otber tbings 
 tbat migbt be required. 
 
 As tbey started tbe eastern sky almost suddenly 
 became illuminated witb tbe brigbtness of tbe com- 
 ing day. So beautiful was tbe morning tbat tbe 
 boys longed to go watb tbe departing trains. It was 
 tbougbt best, bowever, owing to tbe uncertainty and 
 probable bardsbips tbat migbt bave to be encoun- 
 tered, not to run tbe risk. To pleasantly and profit- 
 ably pass tbe time it was suggested tbat some of 
 tbem go out on a tour of investigation on tbe trail 
 of tbe wolverines, and see in wbat direction tbey 
 came and how it was tbat tbey bad so well succeeded 
 in tbeir movements. Dear old Memotas, disconso- 
 late as be was, was persuaded to go along and ex- 
 plain tbe various movements of tbese clever animals 
 to tbe boys. Tbis be could well do, as be bad bunted 
 
 tbem for many years and knew mucli about tbem, 
 
 253 
 
 It' 
 
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 Hi 
 
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 1 1 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 althougli he always declared that there were some of 
 them that conld outwit any Indian. 
 
 They all first went to the spot where stood the 
 sleds f 'om whicli the beavers had been stolen. Then, 
 with Mcmotas leading, they followed back on the 
 tracks, and soon they found as they went on that 
 the cautious animals had completely crept around 
 the camp ere they had begun their depredations. 
 Continuing on their trail, still going back, they 
 found that the wolverines had come directly from 
 the spot on the dam where the beavers had been cap- 
 tured, as has been described. 
 
 While so near the beaver house Memotas said to 
 the boys that it might be interesting to try and find 
 out if the surviving beavers had as yet gone to work 
 again. That anything could be found out seemed 
 impossible to the boys, but the experienced eye of the 
 old Indian saw evidences of their industry very close 
 at hand. Of course the intense cold had again 
 frozen up the water where from it the ice had been 
 cut and thrown out. This newly formed ice, of 
 course, firmly held np the row of strong stakes which 
 wnth so much trouble and care the men had driven so 
 solidly in the ground. Drawing his hunting ax 
 from his belt, Memotas struck the projecting ends of 
 the stakes a few smart blows, just sufficient to loosen 
 them from the new ice. Then said Memotas to the 
 boys : 
 
 'Try and see which of you is strong enough to 
 pull any of them up." 
 
 Eagerly they each seized hold of one, and, ex- 
 pecting that the other end was still securely stuck 
 
 I 
 
3een 
 of 
 
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 I'iiii 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 in the mud, they pulled with such vigor that the 
 three of them nearly fell over on their hacks. To 
 their astonishment they found hy the appearance of 
 the short sticks in their hands that the beavers had 
 cut them off just below the ice. 
 
 After some further interesting investigation they 
 returned to the camp, for very naturally they were 
 all anxious to gei some word from the hunters and 
 the dogs. Fortunately they had not long to wait, 
 for very soon after their return the expected ones 
 dashed into their midst. On their sleds they had 
 three dead wolverines. The dogs had retarned 
 panting and tired. They were all in good shape 
 except Bruce and another one of Alec's train. These, 
 in battle with the wolverines, had each received a 
 couple of severe flesh wounds, hut they seemed to 
 think nothing of them, and in a short time they 
 completely healed U]). iLverybody was, of course, 
 anxious to hear their story, and so one of the hunters 
 was asked to be the spokesman for the whole, and 
 here is about what he said : 
 
 **You all know how we started. You boys set 
 
 your dogs on the tracks, and away they went and 
 
 we after, as fast as we could follow. The dogs 
 
 could travel much faster than we could, and so it 
 
 was not long before they were out of hearing. The 
 
 wolverines must have got a good start, as it was 
 
 a long time before we found any trace of them. But 
 
 we pushed on as fast as it was possible for us to do 
 
 in the darkness. Sometimes the northern lights 
 
 shone out. and tlien we made very much better time. 
 
 By and by we came to a half -eaten beaver that had 
 
 255 
 
 it 
 
 '4' 
 

 ■ ' I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 been dropped by one of the thieves. This told us 
 that tlic dogs must be driving them very close, for a 
 wolverine will make a big fight before he will give 
 up what he has secured. Still on we hurried, and it 
 was not long after this before we heard the dogs 
 t/^ain. Then we found another of the skinned bea- 
 vers, and now the barkings of the dogs told us that 
 the fight was on in good earnest. 
 
 "We had been so much hindered by the dense 
 woods, that was the reason we were so far behind, 
 but now, as we came out from a bad piece of the 
 forest, right there before us was a sight to please us 
 for our anger at the loss of the beaver. The dogs 
 had driven one wolverine up into the branches of a 
 large tree, while others were barking furiously at 
 two others which they had chased up among some 
 steep rocks. It was at this time, just as we reached 
 them, that some of the dogs got cut and wounded. 
 They seemed to be so glad to see us coming to their 
 help that they made a furious attack upon the two 
 that were upon the rocks, and some of them were 
 taught that wolverines have sharp teeth and know 
 well how to use them. 
 
 "We speedily shot these three animals, and then 
 
 began at once to look for the tracks of the other two. 
 
 After some time we found them, and in following 
 
 them up we soon saw that they had reached the great 
 
 cliffs, among which are their dens. We could not 
 
 then hope for much more success. So we returned 
 
 to the spot where we had left the three dead ones, 
 
 and were just about beginning to skin them when 
 
 the sleds arrived, and it was thought best, after we 
 
 256 
 
 ♦, 
 
IN THE Great Lone Lani^ 
 
 had had something to eat from the supphes Mr. 
 Ross was so good as to send us, for us all to return, 
 and here we are." 
 
 This was the story, and it showed quick, sharp, 
 thorough work on the part of l)oth men and dogs. 
 This long dela> had caused quite a hreak in their 
 plans. Mr. Ross, however, decided that just as soon 
 as the wolverines could he skinned, and dinner pre- 
 pared and caien, the home journey must he resumed. 
 Some of the party would have preferred to have 
 remained until the next day before starting, but 
 Lltmotas sarcastically remarked that they had bet- 
 ter go on for fear some more wolverines might 
 come and carry away the rest of the beavers ! It is 
 a remarkable fact, and one interesting to study, that 
 the Indians are much more bitter and sarcastic on 
 each other for any act of carelessness in capturing 
 or securing their game than for any other defect or 
 folly. 
 
 The homeward journey was soon resumed, and 
 after traveling about twenty miles the winter camp 
 was prepared. Fortunate was it for them that they 
 were able to find a favorable place in the very midst 
 of a large quantity of dry trees. So warm and in- 
 vigorating was the work of cutting down these tall 
 dry trees that not only did the boys, but several of 
 the men, as they said, for the fun of it, slash away 
 until an unusually large number had thus been made 
 ready for the fire. 
 
 The owners of the beavers were not to be caught 
 
 napping again, and so they erected a kind of a 
 
 staging near to the camp, on which the valuable loads 
 1 7 257 
 
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Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
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 of meat and furs were safely placed. Memotas had 
 to have another drive or two at them, and so he 
 ironically congratulated them on their late precau- 
 tions. Sam said it looked like the old proverb of 
 locking your stable after the horse was stolen. Alec's 
 more charitable remark was, "It is best to be made 
 wise by the loss and then strive to save the rest." 
 
 Yes, indeed, it was a wise precaution, for even 
 now, while the men were thus hard at work and 
 others were thus discussing their actions, far back 
 on the trail hungry and cruel enemies have caught 
 the rich scent of the beaver, and with long, louping 
 strides are rapidly drawing near. Supper and 
 prayers were over, and the men had nicely tucked 
 in the boys in their warm bed. Before lying down 
 themselves they had as usual lit their pipes and were 
 having a quiet chat over the usual incidents of the 
 day. With a sudden start they were all on their 
 feet in an instant, for coming down on the wind, in 
 the direction in which they had so recently traveled, 
 they heard a sound so blood-curdling and so omi- 
 nous that it has chilled the very heart and caused the 
 rli^^eks to blanch of many a stout-hearted traveler, 
 
 the bowlings of a pack of wolves ! 
 
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 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 The Coming Battle with the Wolves— Thorough Prepara- 
 tions — The Cry of the Wolves for Reinforcements — The First 
 Attack and Repulse — Wounded Wolves Devoured — Memotas's 
 Comments — The Second Attack — The Powder Explosions — 
 Final Victory — Dogs Reluctant to Attack Wolves — Explana- 
 tions — Mr. Ross's Story of the Bears Stealing His Pigs — Dogs 
 More Confident in Attacking Bears. 
 
 The Indians very quickly aroused Mr. Ross, who 
 at once realized the danger that menaced them. The 
 Indians, prompt to act in such emergencies, had 
 already begun their preparations to meet the on- 
 coming foes. They had seized their axes, and were 
 already hard at work cutting down more trees, that 
 there might be an additional supply of wood with 
 which the fire could be kept brilliantly burning. 
 Some of the men were busily engaged in getting the 
 gu^« and ammunition ready and in making other 
 arrangements that would aid to success in the ap- 
 proaching battle. 
 
 To Mr. Ross the Indians left the work of calling 
 up the boys and informing them of the coming 
 danger. This he speedily did, and great was their 
 su- prise when informed of the fact that in all proba- 
 bility they were in for a fierce battle with an 
 unknown number of savage wolves. 
 
 To judge by their bowlings the wolves were still 
 
 a long distance from the camp. The hearing of the 
 
 Indians is very acute, and when the temperature is 
 
 down so low that the mercury is frozen sounds are 
 
 259 
 
 
^.mT 
 
 W- 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 lieard very much more distinctly, and from a greater 
 distance, than under ordinary atmospheric condi- 
 tions. Thus there was fortunately a little time for 
 preparation ere they would have to meet the fierce 
 assault. 
 
 The boys were each urged to quickly put the har- 
 ness on their own dogs and bring them into the 
 camp, which was rapidly being enlarged. The old 
 dogs, that had a wholesome dread of wolves, were, 
 it was thought, wise enough to look after them- 
 selves. Before even Mr. Ross and the boys had 
 heard the wolves the old dogs had detected falling 
 on their ears the melancholy sound, and trembling 
 with fear they came crowding into the camp, and to 
 the feet of their different drivers. 
 
 Trees were fallen all around, under the vigorous 
 
 blows of the choppers, and were being cut into 
 
 lengths that could be carried in. Three or four men 
 
 would seize hold of these great dry logs and speedily 
 
 bring them into the position which they well knew 
 
 would be to the best advantage. The sleds were 
 
 rearranged, and so placed that logs could be piled 
 
 on them. The harnesses were all hung high, and 
 
 everything made as secure as possible. Wolves are 
 
 afraid of fire, and so now it was that on this fire the 
 
 Indians were going mainly to depend. Already the 
 
 men had thrown a number of fresh logs on the fire, 
 
 as well as extended it out in crescent shape to the 
 
 right and left. Behind the camp they cut down a 
 
 number of the trees, so placing them that they made 
 
 a natural barricade as they crashed into each other. 
 
 It was not at all wolf-proof, but it would prevent a 
 
 260 
 
 :,. 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 greater 
 condi- 
 ne for 
 ! fierce 
 
 le har- 
 ito the 
 1ie old 
 , were, 
 
 them- 
 ys had 
 falHng 
 mbling 
 
 and to 
 
 igorous 
 lit into 
 ur men 
 speedily 
 11 knew 
 Is were 
 )e piled 
 y\\, and 
 ves are 
 fire the 
 ady the 
 the fire, 
 t to the 
 down a 
 ;y made 
 other, 
 •event a 
 
 rush attack, and those bold enough to try to venture 
 through could be easily seen and shot. 
 
 About five hundred yards from the camp the trail 
 made quite an ascent ere the camp was reached. Up 
 to the moment when the wolves reached the top of 
 this ascent they had traveled altogether by the strong 
 scent of the castoreum which is found in the body of 
 the beaver, and which had most thoroughly per- 
 fumed the whole party, dogs, men, and outfit. As 
 the brilliant fire now for the first moment was seen 
 by them their bowlings suddenly ceased, and it was 
 evident that they were very much perplexed. 
 
 "Bothered are you?" chuckled Memotas, as he 
 carefully examined his gun. "Wanted beaver, did 
 you, and prepared to take it raw, and now it looks 
 as though, if you get it, you will have to take it hot? 
 Well, come on for it, if you dare." 
 
 These sarcastic words were helpful to the boys, 
 who had worked splendidly under Mr. Ross's guid- 
 ance. There was no doubt about it that the boys 
 were excited. Alec, whose fearful race against such 
 monsters came visibly before him, was agitated, yet 
 he bravely did everything desired of him, and felt 
 that he was in for another triumph. It is no sign 
 of cowardice to be conscious of the danger to Le 
 faced. The bravest of the brave are those who 
 realize the greatness of the task before them and 
 then unflinchingly face it, to conquer or to die. 
 
 Unfortunately, on this trip the boys had not 
 
 brought with them their guns. However, before 
 
 starting Mr. Ross had seen that one apiece for each 
 
 of his men, including Memotas, with abundance of 
 
 261 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ammunition, was placed ii[)on the sleds. The hunt- 
 ers fortunately had an extra gun with them, and this 
 was handed to Mr. Ross. 
 
 "I wonder what conspiracy they are hatching 
 now," said Memotas, as the wolves cont*nued so 
 strangely silent. 
 
 "Nothing that bodes any good to us/' replied Mr. 
 Ross. He had been in critical positions like this be- 
 fore, and now as the scent of battle once more was 
 on him he handled his gun with pleasure and re- 
 joiced in the excitement of the hour. He would 
 have been glad if the boys had been safe at Sagasta- 
 weekee, for as yet it was utterly impossible to form 
 any estimate of their as yet unseen foes' numbers, 
 or to judge of the fierceness of the attack which 
 they would shortly make. 
 
 For about half an hour this strange, unnatural 
 stillness continued, and then there broke upon their 
 ears a horrid din that seemed to come from every 
 point in the compass around them. Although the 
 sound was some distance off, yet so blood-curdling 
 was it that the boys were startled, and Alec pulled 
 his fur cap down over his ears in a vain endeavor to 
 shut out the horrid sounds. The dogs seemed at 
 first to try and answer this noisy challenge, but soon 
 their courage sadly oozed out, and they tremblingly 
 huddled together in the camp, or close to their 
 masters' feet. 
 
 To the boys' amazement, the Indians unconcern- 
 edly put down their guns, and taking up their pipes 
 began to smoke. Turning to the boys, Mr. Ross 
 
 said; 
 
 262 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 "You had all better lie down and sleep, for we are 
 not going to be troubled with the wolves for a good 
 wi:>." 
 
 "VV hy, dare we do that," said Frank, "when the 
 wolves are now all around us?" 
 
 **Yes," said Mr. Ross, "that last cry we heard was 
 from different points arountl us, but it was not the 
 challenge of immediate attack, but a call sent out for 
 reinforcements. Every wulf within ten miles of us 
 heard that far-reaching cry, and is galloping in this 
 direction." 
 
 "That means," said Sam, "that every wolf within 
 four hundred miles of us is mustering for the fight?" 
 
 "Precisely," said Alec, "if you scjuare the circle." 
 
 It was rather trying for the boys to be asked to lie 
 down and go to sleep under such circumstances, yet 
 they promptly obeyed the request of those they knew 
 would only give them the best of advice. Strange 
 as it may appear to some, our brave boys were soon 
 sound asleep, and when about an hour after they 
 were called up again they found themselves re- 
 freshed and doubly nerved for the coming conflict. 
 
 The subdued bowlings of the wolves were again 
 distinctly heard, and it was the opinion of the In- 
 dians that they were holding a big council to decide 
 on the plan of their attack. Knowing so well their 
 methods, it was th^ opinion of them all that the 
 heaviest assault would be on the leeward side, as 
 there the wind carried the strong scent from the 
 rastor?um and the meat. To impede them in their 
 rush if they should try that method of attack, a 
 
 couple of Indians with their axes ventured out in 
 
 263 
 
 L^'UI 
 
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 R 
 11 
 
 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 that direction and cut down a number of trees, which 
 they caused to fall in such a way that the wolves, 
 when approaching, would be delayed by them, and 
 thus render it easier for them to be shot. While 
 these men were thus chopping, in that advanced 
 position of danger, others with loaded guns stood 
 not far behind as their defenders. However, they 
 were not disturbed except by one skulking fellow, 
 that was doubtless acting as a scout. When he saw 
 that he was discovered he quickly retreated back in 
 the gloom of the forest. 
 
 The increasing din and the more confident yelps 
 told the men, who, living in the forest, had become 
 familiar with the various sounds and calls of the 
 wild beasts, that reinforcements were coming in, and 
 that the attack would soon be made. 
 
 The camp could muster ten guns. Six of these 
 were doubled-barreled, but they were all muzzle- 
 loaders. When the boys were aroused the second 
 time they were each given small-sized axes as their 
 weapons of defense, in case the battle should reach 
 the camp, which, however, was not anticipated. In 
 addition they were expected to keep the dogs to- 
 gether and soothe and quiet them as much as 
 possible. 
 
 Noticing some peculiar rolls of birch bark well 
 back from the fire, on which Memotas was keeping 
 a careful eye, Sam inquired what they were, and was 
 interested to learn that they were a kind of impro- 
 vised hand grenade, made by Memotas, to be used 
 if the wolves should strive to come too close. They 
 
 each contained two or more pounds of powder, and 
 
 264 
 
 m 
 
IN THE Grkat Lone Land 
 
 well 
 
 if they did but little execution tliey would at least 
 add to the noise and excitement. 
 
 At the request of all the men Mr. Ross was ap- 
 pointed as captain, whose word was to be obeyed by 
 all. I'hat he might be able to wisely direct the men 
 to the points where the attack seemed to be most 
 directed, a scaffold of logs was hurriedly erected on 
 the windward side of the camp. So abundant was 
 the supply of wood that the fire was kept burning so 
 brightly that Mr. Ross, from his elevated position, 
 could see quite a distance into the forest in every 
 direction. 
 
 As was anticipated, the attack was made on the 
 leeward s:\e with a rush, and with bowlings that 
 were blood-curdling the savage beasts in a pack 
 rushed forward as though confident of success and 
 an easy victory. The newly fallen trees bothered 
 them but for a moment as on they rushed. As they 
 emerged from them the men began firing at them 
 from the point in front of the camp to which they 
 had advanced. As the first volley from the ten guns 
 rang out a number of wolves fell dead, while others, 
 badly wounded, with howls of pain quickly re- 
 tieated. Mr. Ross could see that they met with no 
 sympathy, for, wounded as they were, they had to 
 fight for their lives against some of their comrades 
 that, having tasted the blood of their wounds, were 
 
 anxious to devour them. 
 
 In the meantime the men with the dou':)le-barreled 
 
 gims kept picking off the more venturesome of the 
 
 wolves, while the men with the other guns rapidly 
 
 loaded them. Thus they kept loading and firing 
 
 265 
 
 1: 
 
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 Iki 
 

 H 
 
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 WlNTliU AlJVENTURES OF TlIREE BOYS 
 
 until the (lishcartciied survivors drew back beyond 
 the range of the light into the darkness of the forest. 
 For a time all that was heard were the yelpings 
 and snarlings of the wounded and their assailants. 
 These discordant cries seemed to amuse Memotas 
 very much. 
 
 "Ha, ha !" said he, "you came for beaver, did you? 
 — with j)erhaps a man or boy or two thrown in ; and 
 now you are content to eat your brother wolf's flesh ! 
 You are easily contented, anyway." 
 
 "Wait, Memotas," said another Indian; "those 
 wolves are not through with us yet, and it is likely 
 that we will have a bigger attack from them than 
 what we already have had." 
 
 Quietly calling one of the Indians, who was pos- 
 sessed of marvelous powers of vision, up on the 
 scaffolding where he was, Mr. Ross called his atten- 
 tion to the stealthy movements of the wolves. Keen 
 as were the powers of vision possessed by Mr. Ross, 
 those of this Indian were much superior, and so he 
 at once was able to detect the wolves skulking back 
 to a point far in the rear of the camp. Their object 
 was to make an attack from that direction. To meet 
 this new movement, Mr. Ross withdrew most of the 
 men from the front and placed them where they 
 would be able to render most effective service. 
 About a hundred feet or more behind the camp stood 
 a very tall, dead balsam tree. Seizing a large ax, and 
 calling another Indian to do likewise, Memotas 
 rushed out with his comrade and speedily cut down 
 that tree, causing it to fall directly from the camp. 
 
 Then taking his queer-looking rolls of gunpowder 
 
 266 
 
IN Tllli (JRIIAT LONK I.ANU 
 
 in his arms, and slipping; his snowshoes on liis feet, 
 he hurried hack to the place where tiie top of the 
 tree m)\v lay upon the ground. This was at the place 
 along which the wolves would prohahly come when 
 they again made their attack. Here \Iemotas care- 
 fully arranged his powder-loaded rolls of hirch hark, 
 and connected the fuses of each with a heavy sprink- 
 ling of gun[)owder, which reached to the trunk of 
 the tree. Then pulling the cork out of a horn full of 
 powder, which had heen slung on his hack, he laid 
 a train on the trunk the whole length of the tree. 
 Coming into the camp, as he relit his pi[)e, he coolly 
 said to the boys, "I think I will give them some 
 singed wolf meat as a change after a while." 
 
 As was anticipated, at this point a numher of 
 wolves gathered to make the attack. They cun- 
 ningly kept themselves as much in the shadows of 
 the trees as possible, and so were the more difficult 
 to hit. However, they never got very near the camp 
 until the firing for a time had to be nearly suspended 
 owing to the guns becoming too hot from rapid use. 
 This was Memotas's opportunity. Seeing a number 
 of wolves, emboldened by the apparent ceasing of 
 the firing, coming on with a rush toward the spot 
 where he had placed his birch rolls of powder, he 
 boldly seized a flaming brand from the fire and 
 rushed out to the spot where he had stood when he 
 had cut dosvn the tree. As from his position he 
 could not very well see the oncoming wolves, he 
 waited for Mr. Ross to give him notice when to fire 
 his little train of gunpowder. The instant the word 
 
 was given he touched the firebrand to the powder, 
 
 267 
 
 Ll''' 
 
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 -^:]ii 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 and at once rushed back to join the other Indians, 
 who with their guns were again ready for their foes. 
 Some of the wolves, more eager than their comrades, 
 had already passed by the mii.: laid for them, and so 
 were a little startled by the spluttering little stream 
 of fire that passed them as it made its way along the 
 trunk of that tree. Carefully and well had Memotas 
 done his work, for soon there was a series of explo- 
 sions mingled with yelpings of pain and terror, and 
 a number of frightened hairless and wounded wolves 
 turned into the forest and were seen no more. A 
 forward rush of the men, firing heavily as they ad- 
 vanced, completed the work, and that strange battle 
 was over. 
 
 There was but little rest or sleep for any of the 
 party in the camp during the brief remainder of the 
 night. The fires were kept brightly burning, and in 
 turns the men with guns loaded kept vigilant watch 
 a.i^ainst their treacherous foes. As an extra precau- 
 tion a gun was occasionally fired, so that any skulk- 
 ing wolf remaining in the neighborhood might know 
 that the inhabitants of the camp were on their guard 
 and ready to renew the fight if it were necessary. 
 
 As soon as it was broad daylight, escorted by 
 some of the Indians fully armed, Mr. Ross and the 
 boys went out on a tour around what might be called 
 the battle field. They were surprised at not finding 
 more dead wolves than they did. They were, how- 
 ever, simply disgusted at the many evidences of the 
 rank cannibalism of those that had escaped the bul- 
 lets. They had without any pity or remorse most 
 
 rapidly devoured the dead and wounded, with the 
 
 268 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 exception of those that had been singed by Memo- 
 tas's improvised fireworks. So successful had been 
 this explosior and so accurate the aim of the men, 
 that several wolves of different kinds were found 
 within a radius of half a mile. Some had been killed 
 instantly, and so lay just w^here they fell. Others, 
 mortally wounded, had managed to crawl away quite 
 a distance ere they died. But of all those that in any 
 way had been singed or burnt by the fire not one had 
 been torn or mangled by the survivors. However, 
 such had been the effects of the fire upon them that 
 their skins were valueless as fur, and so they were 
 left undisturbed where they had fallen. 
 
 A good breakfast was ready for them all when 
 they returned to the camp. Soon after it was over 
 the sleds were again loaded, the dogs harnessed, and 
 the journey once more resumed. 
 
 It had been a memorable night for the boys. They 
 had remained cool and collected, but alert and watch- 
 ful. The conduct of the dogs rather humiliated and 
 disappointed them. Why some of them should act 
 so cow^ardly and so tremble at the bowlings of the 
 wolves was to them a mystery and an annoyance. 
 They, however, stoutly declared that their own 
 young trains growled and even barked back their 
 defiance when the bowlings of the wolves were most 
 severe. At the resting place where they stopped for 
 dinner they had quite a discussion on the subject. 
 Sam confessed that he had been eager to let the dogs 
 loose and then urge them on to the attack. At this 
 candid confession Mr. Ross was much amused, and 
 
 said that when a boy, long ago, traveling with his 
 
 269 
 
 41 
 
 iifX 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 father and some Indians, one night in a camp where 
 they were bothered by the howHngs of some wolves 
 he, against their advice, urged his own splendid train 
 of young dogs to the attack. Only three of them 
 managed to get back to the camp, and they were 
 in such a wounded, torn condition that they were 
 worth but little for weeks. The fourth one had been 
 devoured by the wolves. 
 
 "As one result," added Mr. Ross, "I had to walk 
 or run on snowshoes the rest of the long journey 
 home, and as it was over a hundred miles I often 
 wished I had not been so eager to set my dogs on a 
 number of great northern wolves." 
 
 "What do you think would have happened," said 
 Alec, "if Sam had set the three trains we boys are 
 driving on to those wolves that attacked us last 
 nigbc?" 
 
 "I think," said Mr. Ross, with a bit of a twinkle 
 in his eye, "that there vvould have been seen along 
 here somewhere three tired, down-hearted boys 
 trudging along on snowshoes and mourning the loss 
 of twelve splendid dogs." 
 
 "Well," said Frank, "I am glad we did not get up 
 a wolf fight, for this is jollier than trudging along 
 all day on snowshoes." 
 
 With a laugh he threw himself on his dog-sled, 
 and then with a cheer he was first ofif on the trail 
 of the guide. Quickly the rest followed, and the 
 journey was resumed. 
 
 When the journey was ended, and in after days 
 
 as various incidents of this eventful trip were being 
 
 discussed, the boys were loth to have to believe that 
 
 270 
 
 i i 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 it was running a big risk to allow sleigh dogs to 
 attack wolves. 
 
 "What about bears?" said Sam. 
 
 "There is not one quarter the risk run by dogs in 
 attacking bears that there is when they venture to 
 assail wolves," said Mr. Ross. "These big wolves 
 of the North are generally in a half-starved condi- 
 tion. When attacked they seem to know that it is 
 for their very life they are fighting, and so they use 
 their long, sharp teeth and powerful jaws with the 
 greatest ferocity imaginable. Bears, on the con- 
 trary, fight in an entirely different way. When they 
 are assailed by dogs they very seldom if ever fasten 
 on them with their teeth as do the more vicious 
 wolves. Their one great effort in the conflict is to 
 seize hold of the dogs. If they can once get them 
 in the grip of their long, strong, muscular forearms 
 — well, one hug is all the most powerful dog requires 
 to use him up for that day. Fortunate is he if he is 
 not killed by the fearful squeezing he has received. 
 Dogs seem, by some sort of instinct, to very quickly 
 find out where their danger is, and so, unless they 
 are young and inexperienced, they will fight shy of 
 getting within the reach of those strong forearms 
 that can give such an unlovely hug." 
 
 "How do the clever, experienced dogs attack 
 bears?" asked Alec. 
 
 "I am in hopes," said Mr. Ross, "that before many 
 
 more months you will be able to see for yourselves, 
 
 but as there is much uncertainty about all these 
 
 things, I will try and describe a battle we had not a 
 
 mile away from Sagasta-weekee a couple of years 
 
 271 
 
 t ("j: 
 
 ,; ^ 
 
 ;!»•] 
 

 fn! 
 
 «■ •;,!. 
 
 (! 
 
 li 
 
 Ml 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ago. We had brought some young pigs out from 
 the Selkirk country, and had them well housed in a 
 warm pen, around which was erected a high, strong 
 stockade. We knew that bears were fond of pork, 
 and were also aware of the fact that they were good 
 climbers, but with all our experience of them we 
 never imagined that they would attempt to scale that 
 high stockade and try to steal uur pigs. But they 
 did, and with a certain measure of success. Without 
 alarming the dogs, or even any of the several Indians 
 about the place, they succeeded in climbing-over that 
 high stockade, and each bear — for there were three 
 of them — grabbed a pig, each one weighing perhaps 
 fifty pounds, and succeeded in getting back over the 
 stockade and off for the woods ere the loud squeal- 
 ings of the frightened young porkers gave them 
 away. Of course, we were instantly aroused by these 
 unusual noises, and at once suspecting the cause, I 
 gave instant orders that the dogs that were at home 
 should be immediately let out of their kennels and 
 put on to the trail of the bears. As soon as possible 
 a number of us quickly followed. Fortunately for 
 us, the morning had so advanced that there was suf- 
 ficient light for us to see our way. We had no 
 trouble in reference to the direction in which to go, 
 as the squealings of the pigs and the excited bark- 
 ings of the dogs were quite sufficient to guide us. 
 When we reached them we beheld a sight that made 
 the most stoical of my Indians laugh. Here we 
 found the three bears brought to bay. Each one of 
 them was bravely holding in one forearm, as a 
 
 mother does a child, one of the stolen pigs, while 
 
 272 
 
 i\v 
 

 
 
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 \ 
 
 ■i!i 
 
 If 
 
 The Bear Still Holding On to His Pig. 
 
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'il 
 
 
 
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 p 
 
 
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 J? 
 
 ! f 
 
 I 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 with h's other forepaw he was giving resounding 
 whacks to every dog that was rash enough to come 
 within r?nge. My largest sleigh dogs were still out 
 with Kinesasis at their summer home, and so the 
 hears were more able to repel the attacks of these 
 much smaller ones. Still there were some plucky 
 ones among the dozen or so in this pack, and they 
 knew how to fight bears when they had them on the 
 run. But they were bothered to know what to do 
 with these big fellows, sitting here with their backs 
 against a tree and a noisy pig in one forearm while 
 they used the other like a terrible boxer. 
 
 "From a distance we wat ed for a time the pecu- 
 liar conflict, and perhaps would have done so longer 
 if it had not been that we saw one of my pet dogs, 
 a very courageous little fellow, make a too venture- 
 some rush and get within the sweep of that great 
 arm. Suddenly the bear dragged him in, and al- 
 though the plucky fellow tried to use his teeth, it was 
 of no use. The bear hugged him to himself with 
 such a crushing grip that the poor dog's ribs were 
 broken like clay pipestems. Then suddenly the dog 
 was flung quite a distance to one side. 
 
 "We did not want to see any more valuable dogs 
 thus treated, and so we at once pushed forward. 
 When the alert bears saw us approaching they at 
 once started for the distant woods. Now the ad- 
 vantage was all with the dogs. It was very comical 
 to see the desperate efforts made by those bears to 
 hold on to those pigs, and also to fight the dogs and 
 to keep up their retreat. Experienced dogs know 
 that the tenderest spot in a bear is the tendon of his 
 
 l8 273 
 
 m 
 
 
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 m 
 
 ¥4\ 
 
 I'. 
 
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 w- 
 
 ImI' 
 
 m 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 hind leg, and so that is where they try to seize hold 
 of him. Two clever dogs are all that are necessary 
 to delay until the hunters come up the largest black 
 bears in our country. It does not depend very much 
 on the size of the dogs. Indeed, large dogs are 
 rather at a disadvantage, as it is harder for them to 
 get out of the range of the bear when he turns upon 
 them. In this fight all my dogs did was to assail 
 each bear in front and rear. While the dog in front 
 kept up a vigorous barking as close to Iiis nose as it 
 was safe to ventu'*e, the dog in the rear, watching his 
 opportunity, sprang in and gave him a severe nip in 
 the tender spot in his hind leg. This, of course, 
 could not be put up with, and so the bear, still hold- 
 ing on to his pig, quickly whirled arouiid to repel 
 this second assailant. The instant he did so the 
 clever dog that had been in front, but w?s now in the 
 rear, instantly sprang in and caught the bear in the 
 same tender spot. This, of course, brought the bear 
 back again to him, but he was too clever to hang on, 
 and having done his work he quickly sprang out of 
 the reach of those dreaded paws. Seeing the bear 
 once more turned from him, the other dog again 
 dashed in and gave him another severe bite in the 
 same place. Thus it was that the dogs, while not 
 daring to close with such large bears, were yet able 
 to keep them from escaping until we came up and 
 shot them." 
 
 "What about the pigs ?" said Frank. 
 
 "They were alive, and not much the worse for 
 
 their queer adventure, although for some days they 
 
 seemed dull and sore," was the reply. 
 
 274 
 
YS 
 
 ize hold 
 ecessary 
 ;st black 
 ry much 
 logs are 
 them to 
 ■ns upon 
 to assail 
 in front 
 osc as it 
 :hing his 
 re nip in 
 : course, 
 till hold- 
 to repel 
 :1 so the 
 )w in the 
 ar in the 
 the bear 
 bang on, 
 g out of 
 the bear 
 g again 
 te in the 
 ^hile not 
 yet able 
 i up and 
 
 ^orse for 
 ays they 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 H 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 A Bear Hunt in Winter — Mustagan a Famous Indian Guide 
 — Bears' Den — How Discovered — Boys' Perplexity — The 
 Journey to the Den — A Cold Morning — The Telltale Column 
 of Steam — The Attempt to Dig Down to the Bears — Total 
 Failure — Succes.;ful Tunneling Operations — Exciting Fight in 
 the Icy Cavern — The Battles Between the Men and Dogs and 
 the Escaping Bears. 
 
 A BEAR hunt in winter! No wonder the boys 
 were excited when they heard of it. Yes, that was 
 what it was. and a very interesting one at that. 
 
 Mustagan was a famous hunter, as we have al- 
 ready seen. In addition to that, he was a wonderful 
 guide, and had also been a great traveler. He had 
 gone several times on great expeditions to the Arc- 
 tic Ocean. He was with Sir John Richardson on his 
 memorable search for Sir John Franklin. He had 
 also gone with Dr. Rae and others on similar Arctic 
 exploring trips. Then this Mustagan was the old 
 Cree Indian who found the silver spoons and other 
 remains of Sir John Franklin among the Eskimos. 
 Their recovery gave the final definite knowledge of 
 the tragic ending of that memorable expedition. 
 These relics of that sad expedition, in which about 
 a hundred and forty of the bravest of men perished, 
 some of whom might have been saved if Paulette 
 had been true, are now in the Greenwich Museum. 
 
 But although Mustagan had been long years thus 
 
 employed he was yet in the full vie:or of life, and as 
 
 275 
 
 
 i 
 
 ; fit ' 
 
 ■^.:; 
 
 i'^ 
 
 
Winter Adventlres ok Three Boys 
 
 'X - 
 
 , *> < 
 
 f' 
 
 
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 ■ 1 
 
 J" 
 
 1 
 
 a hunter was unexcelled. He was, like Big Tom, 
 particularly noted for his skill as a moose hunter, 
 and it was when o\ ihe tracks of a moose that he 
 made the singular discovery that led to this bear 
 hunt in winter. When he came over to Sagasta- 
 weekee with the news that he had some rare sport 
 for the boys they were, of course, full of curiosity 
 to get all the information. 
 
 During the previous summer they had all had 
 their peculiar experiences in bear fights, but this 
 finding of bears in winter was a revelation, as they 
 were always taught that the bears, especially in cold 
 countries, hibernate during the winter ; that is, that 
 they den up in some quiet retreat in the rocks, if 
 possible, and there remam in a semi-unconscious 
 condition for months together. They generally go 
 in very fat, and on this fat they keep alive all winter. 
 
 "Is it true," said Sam to Mustagan, ''that a bear 
 sucks his paws like a baby does his thumb?" 
 
 "That is what is believed by the Indians," said the 
 old man. "But," he added, with a bit of a twinkle in 
 his eye, "I don't remember any one of us ever having 
 sat up to watch one doing it." 
 
 "How in the world did you find out where this 
 bear's den is which you are inviting us to see?" said 
 Alec. 
 
 "Perhaps," said Frank, "he marked it in the fall, 
 like other Indians mark their beavers' houses." 
 
 "No, indeed," said Mustagan. "I never thought 
 
 of one being in that place until I found it by the 
 
 steam." 
 
 Here was a bigger mystery than ever. 
 
 "^276 
 
YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ig Tom, 
 hunter, 
 e that he 
 his bear 
 Sagasta- 
 ire sport 
 curiosity 
 
 all had 
 but this 
 , as they 
 y in cold 
 it is, that 
 rocks, if 
 conscious 
 erally go 
 11 winter, 
 at a bear 
 
 ' said the 
 winkle in 
 er having 
 
 ^here this 
 ,ee?" said 
 
 1 the fall, 
 ses." 
 
 r thought 
 it by the 
 
 "Steam !" said Sam ; "and where was the engine?" 
 
 "Down deep under the snow in a tlcn amung the 
 rocks," was the answer given. 
 
 This did not clear up the mystery, but rather 
 added to their curiosity. 
 
 "How far away is it?" asked Mr. Ross. 
 
 "One day's journey," said Mustagan. 
 
 So it was decided that on the following Tuesday, 
 if the weather continued bright and fine, the start 
 would be made very early from Sagasta-weekee. 
 
 "No use going then," said Mcmotas, "if the days 
 are not bright and cold. No see any steam if no 
 sunshine." 
 
 This was a great perplexity to the boys, and they 
 appealed to Mr. Ross to help them out. But he 
 wished them to have the real surprise that Mustagan 
 had in store for them, and so he told them to wait 
 until they could see it for ther lelves, when on the 
 ground. 
 
 The weather was everything that could be desired. 
 On Monday four trains of dogs, with a full camping 
 outfit and plenty of supplies to last for five or six 
 days, were prepared. The boys took their guns 
 along with them and plenty of ammunition. They 
 were going to have their share of shooting if there 
 was any to be done. Mustagan, with a couple of his 
 sons and two dog-sleds, arrived very early, and the 
 whole party started while the stars were still shin- 
 ing. One of Mustagan's sons, who had been with 
 the old man when the den w^as discovered, ran on 
 ahead of the trains as guide. As the trail had been 
 
 made by Mustagan and his son when they returned 
 
 277 
 
 ! 
 
 i" 
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 m 
 
 w 
 
 I 
 
 W 
 
 ill 
 
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 I. i.r 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 after the discovery of the hears, this made the travel- 
 ing more rapid and agretahle. 
 
 Three or four times during the day's journey they 
 stopped, and cutting down some dry trees made up a 
 big roaring fire, at wliich they warmed themselves 
 and cooked a hearty meal. About an hour before 
 sundown they reached the place. As it was too late 
 to do anything that evening in the way of bear 
 hunting, it was decided to make the camp and have 
 a good night's rest. This was not as easy a matter 
 as it had been in some other places. There was not 
 at any one spot sufficient dry wood for a good camp, 
 especially if they should be attacked by wolves and 
 thus require for their safety a good bright fire all 
 night. However, the matter was arranged by mak- 
 ing the dogs help. They were unfastened from their 
 sleds, and while some of the men cut down the dry 
 trees, wherever they could be found, the boys and 
 one or two men hitched their dogs to them and 
 dragged them to the vicinity of the camp, where 
 they were speedily cut up into the desired lengths. 
 There were numbers of green balsams around, and 
 so some of these were cut down and so arranged as 
 to be helpful in keeping ofif the cold winds. The 
 frozen fish were thawed for the dogs, and then some 
 of the men prepared the usual supper, which con- 
 sisted of the fattest meat that could be obtained. 
 Prayers were offered after the Evening Hymn had 
 been sung, the beds of fur robes and blankets were 
 made, and Mr. Ross and the boys were soon very 
 thoroughly tucked in. Nothing unusual disturbed 
 
 them in the night, although some of the men had an 
 
 278 
 
DYS 
 
 lie travel- 
 
 rney they 
 riade up a 
 lemselves 
 Lir before 
 s too late 
 ' of bear 
 and have 
 a matter 
 e was not 
 )od camp, 
 olves and 
 lit fire all 
 I by mak- 
 rom their 
 n the dry 
 boys and 
 ;hem and 
 ip, where 
 1 lengths. 
 )und, and 
 ranged as 
 ids. The 
 hen some 
 hich con- 
 obtained, 
 ymn had 
 kets were 
 )Oon very 
 disturbed 
 en had an 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 uneasy half hour, as the dismal bowlings of a soli- 
 tary wolf in the distance could l)e distinctly heard. 
 The mournful sounds at length died away, and the 
 men again went to sleep. 
 
 As they were retiring Mustagan told the boys that 
 the steam would be going best just after sunrise, and 
 so they had better all be up early and after a good 
 warm cup of tea and something to eat be off to see 
 it and then return to breakfast. Then he said, "After 
 that we will find out what makes the steam." 
 
 There was only the faintest glimmer of the com- 
 ing dawn when the boys were called up. My, but it 
 was cold that morning! How the lads did shiver! 
 Wistfully they looked back at the warm robes and 
 blankets which the men were rapidly rolling up. 
 Gladly would they have tumbled under them again, 
 the cold was so terrible. It must have been at least 
 fifty below zero. It seemed to chill them to the very 
 marrow of their bones. Their teeth chattered. The 
 tears in their eyes froze into ice. The breath touch- 
 ing their fur caps, or capotes, instantly became white 
 and shining. Well was it for them that the fire was 
 brightly burning ere they were called. Speedily 
 were seats of rolls of blankets prepared for them, 
 and here, with a big bufifalo skin thrown around each 
 one as an additional protection, they were seated as 
 close to the fire as it was possible to get without set- 
 ting their clothes or robes on fire. How warming 
 and delicious was the tea that morning! — well 
 sweetened, and with a lump of cream in it. Cup 
 after cup was taken, and soon the bitter cold was 
 
 forgotten. 
 
 379 
 
 
 % 
 
 't 
 
 iCJlJ 
 
 m 
 
 
 I 1 
 
h 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Buys 
 
 "Very cold morning," said Mustagan. "Take 
 good breakfast now, then another good one will be 
 ready when we come back from seeing the steam." 
 
 With all the clothing that could well be worn con- 
 sistent with rapid snowshoeing the party soon set 
 off. Their direction from the camp was due south. 
 As far as the boys could make out the region was 
 full of great rocky ravines. But the snow covered 
 everything, and it was evident that the high winds 
 had caused enormous quantities to drift into the 
 hollows and ravines. Mr. Ross and Mustagan were 
 in front, while the boys and some Indians were not 
 far behind. All at once Mustagan, who had been 
 on the alert, called Mr. Ross's attention to an object 
 which at first was to him more imaginary than real. 
 Sharp as were his eyes, he was asked to look upon 
 what to him was at present invisible and intangible. 
 The party had all now stopped, and each one was 
 endeavoring to see what already seemed so real to 
 Mustagan. 
 
 "O, I see it!" shouted Alec and Sam together. 
 "See, as the sun's rays fall upon it, it shines like a 
 small bit of a rainbow." 
 
 "Yes," said Frank, "I see it, like a thin column of 
 steam lit up by the morning sun." 
 
 Then it was visible to all. For as the sun arose a 
 
 little higher, and its full rays fell on it, at the right 
 
 angle to the spot where our party now stood, there it 
 
 was, clear and distinct, a tiny spiral column of steam 
 
 rising up in the clear cold air from a great snowy 
 
 expanse. There was not a sign of a tree or of a den. 
 
 Then Alustagan explained that there was a deep 
 
 280 
 
OYS 
 
 IN THE (iREAT LoNE LaND 
 
 1. 'Take 
 le will be 
 e steam." 
 vorn con- 
 soon set 
 [tie south, 
 gion was 
 V covered 
 g\\ winds 
 into the 
 Lgan were 
 were not 
 had been 
 an object 
 than real, 
 ook upon 
 itangible. 
 one was 
 5o real to 
 
 together, 
 les like a 
 
 :olumn of 
 
 n arose a 
 the right 
 
 1, there it 
 of steam 
 
 at snowy 
 of a den. 
 
 s a deep 
 
 ravine full of the snow, and at the bottom of it some 
 bears had made their winter's nest in the fall. 
 Whether they had much of a den or not he did not 
 know. They would find that out when they dug 
 them out. Anyway, here they were under many 
 feet of snow. The breathing caused the snow to 
 melt around them and above them, until it formed 
 an icy crystal roof. Then, as they went on breathing 
 and breathing, by and by in a little opening it found 
 its way through the crust and through the fine snow, 
 until it made a small chimney all the way up to the 
 top; and then he added, "There it comes out, as you 
 see it now." 
 
 Carefully they all walked up to the spot. The 
 opening was not more than an inch in diameter. It 
 was hardly perceptible. The little bit of steam froze 
 into the tiniest particles of ice, which were invisible 
 except when the sun's bright rays shone on them. 
 It was a great curiosity to the boys. "How many 
 feet below us are the bears?" asked Sam, in tones so 
 subdued that everybody laughed. But the fact that 
 only a lot of light snow separated him from he knevy 
 not how many savage bears had a tendency to make 
 him a little nervous, and hence his whispered ques- 
 tion. Glancing over the landscape, and taking notice 
 of the hills in the distance and the amount of country 
 that the storm had swept over, Mustagan and Mr. 
 Ross came to the conclusion that betv;een twenty 
 and thirty feet of snow were between them and the 
 icy cave where these bears were drowsily sleeping 
 away the long winter months. After some further 
 
 investigation, and a talk about the best way of get- 
 
 281 
 
 
 tV 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ir 
 
 h. 
 
 
 n.\ 
 
 [I , 
 
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 I ! 
 
 
 ting down to those bears, the party returned to camp 
 for breakfast. 
 
 The snowshoe run back was a vigorous one, and 
 enjoyed on account of the cold. The second break fast 
 was dispatched, and the plans talked over for getting 
 down to the bears. If the snow should be found 
 light and dry quite a distance down it would be im- 
 possible to dig a well-like hole down to them. If 
 the wind had packed the snow hard as it filled up the 
 ravine it would be an easy matter. If it were found 
 impracticable to get to them that way, then they 
 would have to tunnel in from below, in the valley, 
 until they reached them. A tunnel can always be 
 dug in deep snow, as the pressure of the mass above 
 sufficiently hardens the snow near the ground to 
 make it quite possible to accomplish the work. Thus 
 they discussed various plans, and then decided to go 
 and begin operations on what seemed the best way 
 when they reached the spot. 
 
 Axes, ropes, a big baglike bucket for hauling up 
 snow, snowshovels, and other things considered 
 necessary were taken along on a couple of dog-trains 
 to the spot where the steam was quite visible, now that 
 it had been discovered. After some consultation it 
 was decided to go to a cluster of trees not far off and 
 cut down a number of them and build a kind of plat- 
 form on the snow directly over the steam orifice, and 
 then commence the work of digging down to the den 
 below. 
 
 Soon all were busy. The men cut down the trees, 
 
 and the boys claimed the honor of driving the dogs 
 
 that dragged the logs to the place where they were 
 
 282 
 
 m 
 
OYS 
 
 i to camp 
 
 one, and 
 breakfast 
 )r getting 
 be found 
 lid be im- 
 them. If 
 led up the 
 ere found 
 then they 
 he valley, 
 ilways be 
 ass above 
 ground to 
 rk. Thus 
 ded to go 
 
 best way 
 
 auling up 
 onsidered 
 log-trains 
 , now that 
 Itation it 
 ir off and 
 d of plat- 
 ■ifice, and 
 the den 
 
 the trees, 
 the dogs 
 hey were 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 to be used. As the snow over the bears' den was so 
 very deep the boys had to keep on their snowshoes 
 all the time. It was very difficult at first for the dogs 
 to get along, but after the snowshoes had tramped 
 out the trail a few times the snow then easily held 
 them up. 
 
 The log platform was built, and in the large space 
 left cleared in the center, which was about eight feet 
 square, the work of digging was commenced. When 
 all the snow was thrown out that could be reached 
 with the long-handled snowshovels a rude windlass 
 was made, and then the leather baglike bucket was 
 brought into requisition, and the work went on as 
 fast as it was possible to haul up the snow and have 
 it dragged away on the dog-sleds. When the well- 
 like hole was down about fifteen feet, and they were 
 congratulating themselves that at least half of the 
 work was accomplished, there was a sudden collapse. 
 The whole thing had caved in and carried down the 
 platform and all to a distance of eight or ten feet. 
 Nobody was badly hurt. The two men who were in 
 the bottom at the time, busily filling up the leather 
 bucket, were hit with some of the falling logs and 
 nearly buried in the avalanche of snow that seemed 
 to them to come from every quarter above them. 
 Those who had tumbled in were more scared than 
 hurt. The difficulty now was to get the men ou^. as 
 the sides were so light and yielding. 
 
 "Use the dogs to do it," said Frank. And quickly 
 
 a strong rope was tied to an empty sled and it was 
 
 let down to the first man. A strong dog-train was 
 
 attached to the other end of the rope. 
 
 283 
 
 ',-,;;i 
 
 1 _ ;■ .11: ■ 
 
 r 
 
 
 
IV.! 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 
 I'll 
 
 'I ! 
 
 J ■! 
 
 **Marche!" was shouted, and away went the dogs, 
 and soon there emerged one of the men who had 
 fallen in. Quickly was he rescued, and speedily this 
 operation was repeated until the dogs had dragged 
 out all therein imprisoned. 
 
 All this work had gone for nothing. Some other 
 plan must be devised. Half a day's work gone and 
 nothing to show for it. This was rather discour- 
 aging. 
 
 "What is to be tried next?" was asked by several. 
 
 "Dinner is next," said Mr. Ross. And so away 
 they hurried back to camp, and there while eating 
 their well-earned meal they talked over the next at- 
 tempt, and decided to go down where the ravine 
 ended out on a level place and there begin tunneling. 
 
 When they came back and examined the spot and 
 measured the drift ihey found that in order to get 
 low enough to reach the bears they would have to 
 tunnel at least two hundred feet. This meant a lot 
 of heavy work. But they were there to get those 
 bears, and were bound to succeed. At first they dug 
 away the snow like a deep trench, until they reached 
 a place where it was too deep to be thrown out, and 
 then the work of tunneling really began. To their 
 delight, they found when they had gone some way 
 in that the pressure of the immense mass of snow 
 upon the lower portion had so packed it that it would 
 not require supports, as has already been referred 
 to. 
 
 They worked in relays with their big shovels, and 
 
 cut the snow out in great pieces, which were dragged 
 
 away by the dogs as fast as the sleds could be loaded. 
 
 284 
 
II 
 
 OYS 
 
 the dogs, 
 
 who had 
 
 edily this 
 
 dragged 
 
 >me other 
 
 gone and 
 
 discour- 
 
 y several. 
 
 so away 
 
 ile eating 
 
 2 next at- 
 
 lie ravine 
 
 unneling. 
 
 ; spot and 
 
 ler to get 
 
 1 have to 
 
 sant a lot 
 
 get those 
 
 they dug 
 
 y reached 
 
 out, and 
 
 To their 
 
 ome way 
 
 of snow 
 
 it would 
 
 referred 
 
 )vels, and 
 dragged 
 )e loaded. 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 That evening, when they stopped work, they esti- 
 mated that they had cut ahout lialf the way into the 
 bears' den. Then they returned to the camp for 
 supper and rest, and hoped to Ije able to finish their 
 work on the morrow. 
 
 That night there was a most beautiful display of 
 the aurora borealis. Their ever-changing glories 
 delighted and so fascinated the boys that they were 
 loth to cover up their heads in their camp beds. 
 These wondrous visions in the North Land exceed 
 in weird beauty anything else that this wide world 
 can show. 
 
 Mr. Ross was so anxious that they should get thi 
 bears to-day, so that the whole party could begin 
 the return journey to-morrow, that he had them all 
 up at such an early hour that they were eating break- 
 fast by starlight. Just as the sun rose, and the In- 
 dians w^ere calling, ''Sagastao! Sagastao!" ("The 
 sun rises!") to each other, they were already at the 
 tunnel, anxious to resume operations. They had to 
 be careful now to so run the tunnel that they would 
 directly strike the bears. So while the men were 
 digging Mr. Ross and Mustagan were constantly 
 traveling on their snowshoes with a compass to try 
 and help the diggers, who were rapidly pushing on 
 their work. 
 
 The boys could hardly understand how it was that 
 it could be so cozy and comfortable in the tunnel 
 while outside the cold was so terrible. To their sur- 
 prise, they here learned that there was warmth even 
 in a snow tunnel. While thus digging away and 
 
 dragging out the loads, all at once the dogs became 
 
 285 
 
 .•1 
 
 m 
 
 I'l'.' 
 
I I 
 
 I 
 
 i'i 
 
 i-1 l-l 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 very much excited, and began barking furiously. 
 Su«ipecting that it was because of the scent of the 
 bears, which passes a long distance through the 
 snow, the guns and some axes were immediately sent 
 for. 
 
 * Did you ever shoot a bear?" said Mustagan to 
 Sam. 
 
 "I was chased by one once," said Sam, with a 
 laugh. "But I fancy I got even v/ith him before the 
 summer ended." 
 
 "O yes," said Mustagan, with a comical grin, "I do 
 remember now a boy coming running into the camp 
 with a bear at his heels. That's why your hair stands 
 up so straight ever since." 
 
 Poor Sam, whose hair had a natural tendency to 
 stand on ends, said he thought he had heard enough 
 of that bear story of his, and so was about blaming 
 the old Indian for being too hard on him, when he 
 was astonished at hearing him say : 
 
 "I want you to be the first to walk into that bears* 
 den with me. Mr. Bear chased you once. You 
 killed some of his relatives since then, but he has 
 lots of brothers, and perhaps some of them are in 
 this den, and so now is your chance to teach them a 
 lesson for one of their relatives making your hair 
 stand up straight. Fact is," added the old Indian, 
 who had never seen a person with his hair standing 
 up like Sam's, "Indian thinks you will have to keep 
 killing bears until your hair gets over its scare and 
 lies down flat again." 
 
 This bit of humor from Mustagan amused every- 
 
 bodv, and Sam himself joined heartily in the laugh. 
 
 286 
 
 J I J 1 
 
 if 
 
 
^OYS 
 
 furiously, 
 snt of the 
 *ough the 
 lately sent 
 
 istagan to 
 
 Ti, with a 
 before the 
 
 grin, "I do 
 > the camp 
 lair stands 
 
 :ndency to 
 rd enough 
 it blaming 
 when he 
 
 :hat bears' 
 nee. You 
 ut he has 
 em are in 
 ch them a 
 your hair 
 d Indian, 
 • standing 
 /e to keep 
 scare and 
 
 ;ed every- 
 :he laugh. 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Thus they chatted until the guns and axes arrived. 
 Then the work was vigorously pursued. The tunnel 
 was dug in further and further, as fast as tb*^ snow 
 could be hauled out. Every time the dogs came in 
 with their empty sleds they were permitted to remain 
 a few minutes to scent the bears. As they had 
 quieted down after their first noisy actions it was 
 decided that they were still a good way off from the 
 bears. 
 
 As a precautionary measure Memotas went out 
 and cut a long, slim pole, which was about twenty 
 feet long. This he pushed in through the snow 
 ahead of the diggers. By this plan he was able to 
 guard against any surprise, for he had stated to Mr. 
 Ross that as the snow was so deep the den would be 
 found very warm, and he would not be surprised if 
 they found the bears so wide-awake that they would 
 have a bit of a fight with them ere they killed them. 
 When this was heard it added much to the excite- 
 ment of the whole party, and so while everyone 
 worked with a will they were all on the alert for 
 some sudden developments. 
 
 After Mustagan had pushed in the pole two or 
 three times and found nothing but the ordinary 
 snow, which was being rapully dug away, he at 
 length struck against something hard, which was 
 about fifteen feet in from the end of the now long 
 tunnel. When the dogs came in for their last loads 
 Mustagan pulled out the pole and let the dogs put 
 their noses to the opening. They were simply furi- 
 ous, and at once began most vigorously to dig into 
 
 the snow around the hole. Of course, they were 
 
 287 
 
 
 >'Mi 
 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 i#ii 
 
 I i 
 
 iliv 
 
 quickly stopped and again fastened to the sleds, 
 which on account of the narrowness of the tunnel 
 had to be backed in. Cautiously they worked, and 
 soon w^ere within only four or five feet of the ob- 
 struction, whatever it was, that prevented the pole 
 being pushed along any further. 
 
 A consultation was now held, and it was decided 
 to very much enlarge the end of the tunnel, so that if 
 there was to be much of a fight there would be room 
 enough for the men to stand up and easily move 
 around. This enlarging the tunnel and getting out 
 the snow consumed the best part of an hour. For- 
 tunately, it was not very dark, although they were 
 so far from daylight in any direction. The pure 
 white snow seems to throw ofif a certain amount of 
 light. However, it was w^arm work, and so the men 
 frequently went out with the dogs in relays. Once 
 outside they quickly cooled off and were glad to re- 
 turn. When the enlargement of the tunnel was 
 about completed, and the men were again engaged 
 in cutting out great blocks of the snow that was 
 between them and the bears, there suddenly reached 
 them a perfume so strong as to be almost sickening. 
 No need of telling anyone who has ever been near a 
 close old bears' den where they were now. 
 
 All the shovels except a couple were quickly 
 
 dropped, and the weapons were seized by those who 
 
 were expected to do the fighting. The arrangements 
 
 were speedily made. It was difficult to say how 
 
 many bears were in the den. If only two or three, 
 
 there would not be much trouble in killing them, but 
 
 if, as sometimes happened, a number had clubbed 
 
 288 
 
 f ! f- 
 
 tij 
 
50YS 
 
 the sleds, 
 the tunnel 
 ►rked, and 
 3f the ob- 
 1 the pole 
 
 as decided 
 
 , so that if 
 
 d be room 
 
 sily move 
 
 etting out 
 
 )ur. For- 
 
 they were 
 
 The pure 
 
 amount of 
 
 >o the men 
 
 ys. Once 
 
 jlad to re- 
 
 nnel was 
 
 engaged 
 
 that was 
 
 y reached 
 
 sickening. 
 
 3en near a 
 
 quickly 
 
 those who 
 
 mgements 
 
 say how 
 
 or three, 
 
 them, but 
 
 d clubbed 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 together, there might be as many as eight or ten, and 
 if so there would be lots of excitement, and perhaps 
 somebody might get hurt. So it was decided that 
 Mr. Ross with Frank and Alec should go out to the 
 mouth of the tunnel, and there with their weapons 
 remain, with the dogs unharnessed, and wait for 
 developments, while Mustagan with Sam and the 
 others would face them in their dens. If any tried 
 to escape through the tunnel those watching at the 
 mouth would fire at them or run them down with the 
 dogs. 
 
 Cautiously the intervening wall of snow was 
 broken down and trampled under foot. Listen! 
 There are low growlings heard, and it is evident that 
 the bears are on the alert. These sounds show that 
 the bears have long been hearing the noise made by 
 the approach of the tunnelers, and are getting their 
 courage up for a fight with the disturbers of their 
 long repose. Mustagan had taken the precaution to 
 bring along some torches which he had specially 
 made. The principal materials of them were rolls of 
 birch bark saturated in balsam gum. The gum had 
 been boiled down and otherwise so prepared that 
 when ignited it made a most brilliant light and yet 
 emitted but little smoke. At length the diggers 
 came to a wall of icy snow, which was very close and 
 hard. This was the wall and roof of the whole den. 
 The party attentively listened, and now the bears 
 were easily heard. Mustagan said : 
 
 "Some of them wide-awake, others seem like 
 
 sleepy boys called early. They are growling and 
 
 snarling, and seem to say, 'Be quiet and let us sleep 
 19 289 
 
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 kr 
 
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Winter Adventures ok Thkee Boys 
 
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 W- i 
 
 
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 till it is time to get up.' We'll wake you so you will 
 want to get up in a hurry," added the old man with 
 a chuckle, as he made his final arrangements. 
 
 These were as follows: The men who had been 
 using the shovels were ordered to exchange them for 
 their heavy axes. With these they were to at once 
 smash in a place large enough for Mustagan and 
 Sam to step through. They would each have one of 
 the brightest torches, and so the old man believed 
 that the sleeping animals would crowd from the be- 
 wildering light to the other side of the den. So the 
 flint and steel were struck and a light made by one 
 of them, while the axmen now vigorously broke 
 through the thin glassy wall. 
 
 Soon an opening sufficiently large was made, and 
 the old Indian and Sam fearlessly stepped in, with 
 guns and torches. As anticipated by Mustagan, the 
 bears, frightened by the brilliant torches, at once 
 crowded away from the dazzling flames. So he and 
 Sam were safely in, but it did not take him long to 
 see that they were not altogether safe in there. My, 
 what a crowd of them ! and bears of all sizes too. 
 
 "Chop away at the ice," was Mustagan's first 
 command, as he and Sam kept slowly edging their 
 way around. So numerous were the bears that they 
 dare not think of letting go their splendid torches 
 that were burning brightly. 
 
 "W^e are going to try and drive them out," were 
 his next words; and then the old Indian shouted, 
 "Look out, men, and be ready for them !" 
 
 Sam was cool and collected, for he had all con- 
 fidence in Mustagan, but he could not help being 
 
 290 
 
Boys 
 
 ;o you will 
 , man with 
 its. 
 
 ) had been 
 fe them for 
 to at once 
 stagan and 
 lave one of 
 in believed 
 •om the be- 
 en. So the 
 lade by one 
 msly broke 
 
 ; made, and 
 led in, with 
 istagan, the 
 es, at once 
 
 So he and 
 lim long to 
 
 here. My, 
 lizes too. 
 agan's first 
 idging their 
 rs that they 
 idid torches 
 
 >> 
 
 out, were 
 an shouted, 
 
 lad all con- 
 help being 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 startled and surprised at the number of tlie bears that 
 lay there snarling and growling like a drove of pigs. 
 The size and beauty of the winter house was also a 
 revelation. As the winter had advanced the warmth 
 of the bears had caused the icy walls and roof to keep 
 slowly receding, until now here was a capacious 
 vaultlike room of clearest crystal. As the brilliant 
 light flashed on it, it seemed like some dream of fairy- 
 land. One look, however, at the startled, growling 
 bears showed that the fierce occupants were anything 
 but nymphs and fairies. Seeini; their numbers, 
 Mustagan quickly called in a couple more men, with 
 axes and additional torches. Pointing out a very 
 large one that seemed ready to begin battle at any 
 moment, he said, "You, Sam, you shoot him fair 
 between the eyes." 
 
 Sam at once obeyed. Tremendous was the effect. 
 So confined was the place that the sound was as 
 though a cannon had been fired. All the torches 
 were instantly extinguished but one, and the ice 
 cracked and fell in great pieces around them. Speed- 
 ily were the torches relighted. The bears were wide- 
 awake now. Fortunately, the biggest and fiercest 
 was stone dead. Sam's aim had been sure, and his 
 bullet had done its work. Mustagan was now so 
 fiercely attacked by the next largest one that he could 
 not bring up his gun to his shoulder, but he skillfully 
 fired from his side and sent a bullet into the heart of 
 his assailant. This quickly finished him. This 
 second report was, if possible, worse than the first, 
 and so some seconds were lost in relighting the 
 
 torches. 
 
 291 
 
 
 i! ' 
 
 tt .1. 
 
 ::if; t 
 
 m 
 
 :t: ? 
 

 
 ■'• ' 
 
 l! I- 
 
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 ij: 
 
 I i 1 
 
 Winter Auventurks of Thrkk Boys 
 
 "Drop your guns," said Mustagaii, "and fight 
 with your axes and knives." 
 
 And light they had to, for the hears were now 
 full of hgiit and each went for an opponent. Sam 
 bravely tackled a fine two-year-old with his ax. lie 
 raised it and made a desperate blow to try and split 
 the animal's skull open. But just as he plunged for- 
 ward to strike the bear suddenly rose up and with a 
 side blow struck the ax such a clip that it fairly flew 
 out of Sam's hands, while the lad, unable to keep his 
 f(X)ting, stumbled ftTward at the bear's hind feet. 
 He was fortunately able to reach sideways and seize 
 one of the flaming torches that had been thrown on 
 the ground, and which was still fiercely burning. 
 He was none too soon, for already the bear's strong 
 forearms were winding round him for a hug that 
 he would have long remembered. However, as the 
 blazing torch was pushed into the bear's face it so 
 suddenly singed his handsome whiskers that he had 
 to throw up his paws to defend his face. Finding 
 himself thus free again, Sam was quickly on his feet. 
 Drawing his knife, he was able to look around. Two 
 or three bears were killed and others wounded, but 
 so carefully were they using their paws in parrying 
 the blows of the men that they were fairly holding 
 their own. One man had a shoulder blade broken, 
 and another's crushed ribs were making him groan. 
 
 "Let us drive them out," said Mustagan, and al- 
 ready it was evident that the bears' quick instinct 
 had enabled them to catch the scent of the fresh air 
 through the tunnel. 
 
 "Run for your lives!" shouted Mustagan to the 
 
 292 
 
Roys 
 "and fight 
 
 were now 
 nent. Sam 
 his ax. lie 
 ;ry and spHt 
 blunged for- 
 ) and witli a 
 t fairly Hew 
 e to keep his 
 s hind feet, 
 ys and seize 
 1 thrown on 
 ly burning. 
 )ear's strong 
 • a hug that 
 /ever, as the 
 's face it so 
 that he had 
 :e. Finding 
 y on his feet, 
 •ound. Two 
 mounded, but 
 i in parrying 
 lirly holding 
 ilade broken, 
 I him groan, 
 gan, and al- 
 uick instinct 
 the fresh air 
 
 tagan to the 
 
 IN THE Grkat Lone Land 
 
 two men who had been left in the tunnel, "and tell 
 Mr. Ross and the boys to be ready at the mouth to 
 receive them." 
 
 They lost no time in getting out, for they were 
 about half blinded and suffocated by the smoke of 
 the guns and could render but little service. They 
 were soon out, and found Mr. Ross and the boys 
 ready for the bears. All were much excited, for they 
 had distinctly heard the two shots fired inside. 
 
 Mustagan, Sam, and the Indians had now wedged 
 themselves so around the bears that they had them 
 all between them and the opening into the tuiniel. 
 The cunning animals were loth to leave their winter 
 quarters, and so they very slowly and reluctantly 
 gave ground as Mustagan and the others, with their 
 flaming torches, gradually forced them on ahead. 
 It would now have been easy to have shot some of 
 them, but Mustagan was afraid that as so much of the 
 ice had fallen already from the roof of the den a few 
 more such reports might find them all buried under 
 the great mass above them, bo he decided to drive 
 the bears out into the open air, where the fight could 
 be renewed. 
 
 At the great opening in the crystal wall the bears 
 made a determined stand. There were still seven or 
 eight of them unwounded. There they raised them- 
 selves upon their hind feet against the opening, and 
 seemed to say, "We will not be thus driven out of 
 our house." Beyond this point it seemed impossible 
 to drive them. The torches would not burn much 
 longer, and something desperate had to be done. 
 Mustagan, while fearful of the effects of a powder 
 
 293 
 
 #' 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ■f? 
 
 
 i 
 1,. 
 
 
 
 
 f ■' 
 
 
 - 
 
 Ill 
 
 J 
 
 
 »i 
 
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 1; 1 
 
 1 
 
 ^: 
 
 i 
 
 explosion on the roof, yet resolved to try one. Skill- 
 fully throwing some powder in handfuls at the feet 
 of the bears, he said to Sam and to the men : 
 
 "Get back as far as possible, before I fire this train 
 of powder. Pull your caps over your eyes, and put 
 your heads to the ground." 
 
 Then he plunged one of the torches into the little 
 train of gunpowder that reached from him to the 
 bears. Away flew the little stream of fire across the 
 den, and then there was a commotion. The powder 
 went ofif in sheets and tongues. The bears went ofif 
 aljo. They did not stand on ceremony now. They 
 could not stand such a fiery house, and so they 
 wanted to get out of it as quickly as possible. With 
 growls and snarls away they hurried, while Musta- 
 gan and Sam and the rest, with the expiring torches 
 and noisy yells, followed quickly after, keeping them 
 on the move. Mr. Ross and the others heard them 
 coming. They had wisely retired a little from the 
 mouth of the tunnel, so as to let the bears get well 
 out before they should catch sight of these new as- 
 sailants. At the mouth of the tunnel, as they caught 
 the cold air, so different from the comfort ble quar- 
 ters they had left, there was a decided desire on the 
 part of the bears to retrace their steps, but that hor- 
 rid din and those blazing torches were just behind, 
 and so they made a break for the distant forest, 
 which was quite visible across the snowy waste. 
 
 "Fire now!" was the cry. And the guns of Mr. 
 
 Ross, Alec, and Frank rang out, and a coupleof bears 
 
 tumbled over, one of which quickly regained his feet 
 
 and was off after his comrades. Unfortunately, the 
 
 294 
 
Boys 
 
 one. Skill- 
 
 j at the feet 
 
 len: 
 
 re this train 
 
 /es, and put 
 
 ito the Httle 
 him to the 
 'e across the 
 The powder 
 ars went off 
 now. They 
 ind so they 
 sible. With 
 k^hile Musta- 
 ring torches 
 eeping them 
 heard them 
 tie from the 
 ars get well 
 lese new as- 
 they caught 
 rt ble quar- 
 esire on the 
 ut that hor- 
 ust behind, 
 ant forest, 
 waste, 
 juns of Mr. 
 ipleof bears 
 ned his feet 
 unately, the 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 man holding the six dogs that had been unharnessed 
 could no longer restrain them, and so they were off 
 after the bears. This was a great annoyance to the 
 men who had guns and were now emerging from the 
 tunnel. They dare not now fire at the bears, for fear 
 of hurting the dogs. The snow on the open plain 
 was not more than a foot deep, and so the bears, as 
 well as the dogs, could make very good speed. 
 Some time was lost ere the men and boys could get 
 their snowshoes on and take up the chase. It was 
 a great fight. Some foolish dog would close in on a 
 bear and would get a hug that sent him howling 
 back. Others were wiser and went in pairs. When 
 they overtook a bear they immediately separated, 
 one rushing to the front, while the other remained 
 behind. Thus they keep at him and, as a general 
 thing, so thoroughly engage his attention that the 
 hunter can come up and shoot him at his leisure. 
 In this way Frank and Alec were each able to get a 
 shot at a couple of bears, which they easily killed 
 without any great risk to themselves. 
 
 A single dog has hardly any chance with a large 
 bear, as one of Frank's train found to his cost. 
 Pluckily he rushed in and made a gallant effort to 
 seize the bear by the throat, but the powerful fore- 
 arms gave him a hug so terrible that he was so 
 crushed that he had to be shot to be put out of mis- 
 ery. His ribs were found broken like clay pipestems. 
 Poor Frank dropped a few honest tears over Swag's 
 grave, v/hich was only a hole in the deep snow. 
 This death was the first break in any of the boys' 
 
 teams, and although another fine dog took poor 
 
 295 
 
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Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ^- r' i , 
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 11 
 
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 Swag's place, it was long before the boys ceased 
 talking about him and his sad end. 
 
 Some of the fleeter bears succeeded in reaching 
 the trees, but they made there in the bitter cold but 
 a sorry fight, and were soon all killed. 
 
 For the first time almost for hours, now that the 
 last bear was killed, one and all began to feel the 
 terrible cold, and no wonder. Such had been the 
 excitement of the last few hours that they had not 
 noticed that it was long past the dinner hour, and 
 when eating is neglected in such a temperature much 
 suffering will quickly follow. So the cry was, **Back 
 to the camp !" No second order was necessary, and 
 great was the delight of the boys to find that some 
 one more level-headed and less excited had long 
 since returned and had a bountiful dinner awaiting 
 everyone. 
 
 It was too late to return home that day, and so a 
 swift runner was sent back for additional sleds, while 
 the men, under Mustagan's guidance, with the dogs 
 available — and they were not many — dragged the 
 bears to the camp, and there during the evening and 
 night carefully skinned them and cut up the meat. 
 
 Mr. Ross and th<^ boys, who were thoroughly 
 tired, wrapped themselves well up in their robes and 
 rested in the camp, feeling that they had had enough 
 excitement for that day. This unique experience of 
 bear-hunting in the depth of winter was often talked 
 about in after years. Many skeptics scoffed at it as 
 a dream, but they who were in it knew better. 
 
 Frank never forgot poor Swag's sad end, and for 
 
 long days he mourned the loss of his faithful dog. 
 
 296 
 
 li 
 
Boys 
 
 oys ceased 
 
 n reaching 
 er cold but 
 
 )w that the 
 to feel the 
 d been the 
 ey had not 
 ' hour, and 
 ature much 
 was, "Back 
 essary, and 
 1 that some 
 1 had long 
 er awaiting 
 
 y, and so a 
 sleds, while 
 h the dogs 
 [ragged the 
 |vening and 
 
 the meat, 
 horoughly 
 
 robes and 
 ad enough 
 
 erience of 
 iften talked 
 
 ed at it as 
 
 tter. 
 
 id, and for 
 
 ful dog. 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 The First Signs of Spring — The Eagle Moon — Expressive 
 Indian Names for Some of the Months — Chats Among the 
 Boys About the Phenomena of tlie North Land —Power of the 
 Frost — Cunning of Animals — Cleverness of the Guides — Invi- 
 tation to a Muskrat Hunt — Gladly Accepted — Habits of These 
 Little Animals — Methods of Capture — Their Many Foes — The 
 Queer Battle Between Wild Cats and Wolverines. 
 
 Thus rapidly and pleasantly passed the winter 
 months at Sagasta-weekee. Cold they were, and at 
 times the blizzards had howled around, but as a 
 general thing the days had been full of sunshine 
 and the nights of wondrous beauty. Wretched days 
 of fogs and mists and damps were almost unknown. 
 The air at all times was full of ozone, and knew no 
 taint of fever or malaria. There was a luxury in 
 living where the skies were nearly always bright 
 and the air was always absolutely pure. 
 
 For long months the Frost King had reigned 
 supreme, but now there were indications that his 
 grip was lessening and that his power was coming to 
 an end. In sunny, sheltered spots the snow began to 
 soften and then to disappear. Then tiny little rivu- 
 lets in the warmest hours of the day began to make 
 sweet music, gathering strength and courage and 
 hurrying on to play hide and seek as they dashed 
 under the great icy coverings of the still frozen 
 lakes. Strong south winds blew frequently, and 
 
 under their magic influences the great snowdrifts 
 
 297 
 
 : Wj 
 
^er 
 
 I— f <Ml.ilJ.]-IUM i 
 
 Vi 
 
 m 
 
 ■':LL,i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 rapidly lessened and then disappeaied. From un- 
 derneath the still hard, dry snow some mysterious 
 melting influence was at work, and the great masses 
 sank down and soon all flitted away under the 
 wondrous but unseen influences of the coming 
 spring. 
 
 "I saw a great golden eagle," said Alec, as one 
 day he came in from a short hunting trip with Big 
 Tom. 
 
 "Did you see it first?" said Sam. 
 
 "No, indeed," replied Alec; "Big Tom's eyes 
 were more alert, and so he first saw it and then 
 pointed it out to me as it was flying in graceful 
 circles far up in the blue heavens." 
 
 "The Indians will be all saying that spring indeed 
 has come," said Mr. Ross. "As the appearance of 
 the eagle is. as I think I told you, the beginning of 
 spring, Mikisewpesim, the eagle moon, is the first 
 spring month." 
 
 "Is it not," said Frank, "a very uncertain way of 
 marking the seasons?" 
 
 "The variation is not as great as a person would 
 at first imagine," was Mr. Ross's reply. "We talk 
 about an early spring or a late spring, and March 
 with us is sometimes like April. Then some other 
 years it is just the reverse. So the Indians' methods 
 of marking the months by the arrival of the birds, 
 or other events in nature, is not generally much out 
 of the way." 
 
 "What birds follow the eagles?" asked Sam. 
 
 "The wild geese," replied Mr Ross, "and a hey 
 
 do not come until the great marshes, which are their 
 
 298 
 
Boys 
 
 From un- , 
 
 mysterious 
 
 •eat masses 
 
 under the 
 
 le coming 
 
 lee, as one 
 p with Big 
 
 fom's eyes 
 t and then 
 in graceful 
 
 ring indeed 
 
 pearance of 
 
 iginning of 
 
 is the first 
 
 :ain way of 
 
 rson would 
 "We talk 
 and March 
 some other 
 is' methods 
 the birds, 
 T much out 
 
 d Sam. 
 nd a' hey 
 :h are their 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 early feeding grounds, are partially bared of snow, 
 they are about a month behind the eagles." 
 
 "Then is there a goose month also?" asked Alec. 
 
 "Yes, indeed," replied Mr. Ross, "and it is a very 
 important one to the Indians, and I anticipate that 
 we, too, will have our share of excitement in it. It 
 is called Niskepesim, from 'niska,' goose, or 'nis- 
 kuk,' geese, and 'pesim,' month. The Niskepesim, 
 goose moon, which correspond? with our April, is 
 followed by Unekepesim, frog moon, as then those 
 denizens of the swamps and ponds begin their 
 croakings. In our North Land frog moon corre- 
 sponds with May. Then comes Wawepesim, egg 
 moon, as in June the birds are nesting and hatching 
 out their young. So it is with all the other months, 
 each has some equally expressive name." 
 
 *T am sure we are thankful for all this informa- 
 tion," said Frank. 
 
 "It is a pleasure to get information, even if it 
 sometimes has to be acquired under difficulties, and 
 it is equally pleasing to impart it to those who will 
 make use of it," was Mr. Ross's reply. 
 
 "I am sure," said Sam, "we will have a deal to 
 talk about when we return home next summer. The 
 only thing that is bothering me is that bts will say 
 that it is only a pack of lies that I am trying to cram 
 down their throats." 
 
 "Well, then," replied Frank, "we will not be the 
 only returned travelers whose veracity will be ques- 
 tioned. Don't you remember, Sam, about the first 
 ambassadors to England from a tropical country In 
 
 the south of Asia, that when they returned home 
 
 299 
 
 '( 
 
r<3' 
 
 J : 
 
 i 
 
 \'J 
 
 ' fi'^ 
 
 I ' 
 
 ') II 
 
 v: • I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 they were rash enough to say that in England some- 
 times in winter the water became hard enough to 
 walk on. Then the king was so mad at them for 
 telling such monstrous lies that he immediately 
 handed them over to the executioner and had them 
 shortened by the length of their heads." 
 
 "I wonder what he would have done with me," 
 said Sam, "after I had enlightened him on some of 
 the facts of this country, for that mere trifle of a 
 statement about ice forming on a river in England 
 was a mighty small incident in comparison with 
 what I have here discovered." 
 
 "What would you tell him," asked Alec, "sup- 
 posing the old rascal were still alive, and should 
 ask you to visit him and then set your tongue 
 a-wagging?" 
 
 "Sure," replied Sam, wituvjut any hesitancy, "if 
 his Satanic majesty — I beg his paidon, that Siam- 
 ese king — wanted any more water information, I 
 would say to him, 'Sire, your majesty, once, in a fit 
 of indignation at the doing of a stable man, called 
 Pasche, I seized a bucket of water, just drawn, and 
 up with it to throw over the fellow, and, wonderful 
 to relate, it just hit him in chunks of ice as dry as 
 marble." 
 
 "Well, we know that is true," said Alec ; "but sup- 
 posing the old fellow still left your head on your 
 shoulders, what next would you tell him?" 
 
 "If the old questioner still wanted anything more 
 about liquid matter, I would just inform him that we 
 carry the milk of our cows wrapped up in old news- 
 papers, and that it keeps that way for months, as 
 
 300 
 
Boys 
 
 land some- 
 enough to 
 t them for 
 nmediately 
 . had them 
 
 with me," 
 m some of 
 trifle of a 
 n England 
 rison with 
 
 Uec, "sup- 
 ind should 
 •ur tongue 
 
 ;itancy, "if 
 that Siam- 
 rmation, I 
 ice, in a fit 
 nan, called 
 Irawn, and 
 wonderful 
 ; as dry as 
 
 ; "but sup- 
 d on your 
 ?" 
 
 ;hing more 
 im that we 
 old news- 
 months, as 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 solid and tidy and handy as a brickbat in the end of 
 a stocking." 
 
 "If he could stand that and let you survive, what 
 next?" said Frank. 
 
 "I fancy I would confound his intellect by telling 
 him that the breath-laden air of the church, one bit- 
 terly cold Sunday, where some hundreds of Indians 
 worshiped, so froze up that the whole of it fell to 
 the floor in beautiful snow so plentifully thi t in one 
 place, near a cold window, it was over a foe. deep." 
 
 "Supposing he survived that, or rather let you 
 survive, what next would you cram him with ?" said 
 Frank. 
 
 Sam, glib of tongue and ever ready, at once 
 answered: 
 
 "Well, if that son of the sun, or whatever his Ori- 
 ental title may be, wanted any more information 
 about our liquids, I would enlighten him with the 
 information that here, as a pastime or scientific ex- 
 periment, we take quicksilver or mercury and cast it 
 into bullets that become as hard and solid as lead, 
 and then shoot them through stable doors." 
 
 "Anything more?" said Mr. Ross, who had been 
 an amused listener, and had beer, much pleased with 
 Sam's ready answers, which showed how well he 
 was gathering up the facts of the country to use 
 them in other lands in years to come. 
 
 "Well, yes," said Sam, "I would tell his bibulous 
 majesty, if he were in the habit of imbibing mois- 
 ture of a fiery kind, that on one of our long journeys 
 with our dogs I had with me on my sled, for pur- 
 poses that need not concern his majesty, a bottle of 
 
 301 
 
 ■ tA 
 
 ' ',■ la 
 
 i ■ I; li 
 ... i^ 
 
 M ] V ,'i ■ 
 If ^,1 
 ■ ? A If' 
 
 
4 
 
 i;' I 
 
 !-i! 
 
 h I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 the strongest wine. One day, when no eyes were on 
 me, for good and honest purposes I made a visit to 
 the aforesaid bottle, and ^o my horror and grief I 
 found the bottle burst into a hundred pieces. Feel- 
 ing carefully around — for it was in the dark when I 
 had made this visit — I discovered that the wine it- 
 self was frozen into a solid mass exactly the shape 
 of the bottle. I carefully wrapped it up in a hand- 
 kerchief, and thus carried it along. Suffice to say, 
 none of it was lost." 
 
 "Well," said Frank, "if just about water, milk, 
 mercury, and wane we will be able to tell such things, 
 shall we not have lots of fun when we talk of our 
 dogs and their doings, and of many other things 
 that at first seemed so marvelous to us, but are now 
 evervdav occurrences and have in a measure lost 
 their force and novelty?" 
 
 "I fancy," said Alec, "that some of the things we 
 can also tell them about the cunning and cleverness 
 of the w^ild animals \ve have been hunting, or seeing 
 the Indians hunt, will open their eyes." 
 
 "After all," said Frank, "the cleverness of the 
 Indian guides in finding their way through the path- 
 less forests, day or night, where there was not the 
 least vestige of a trail, sometimes for hundreds of 
 miles, and often when blizzard storms howled 
 around them for days together, was to me as 
 wonderful and unaccountable as anything I have 
 v^itnessed." 
 
 "Yes," said Mr. Ross, "that is indeed wonderful. 
 
 I have been studying it all my life, and I am just as 
 
 much puzzled to-day as I was at first with these 
 
 302 
 
Il <l 
 
 iOYS 
 
 ;s were on 
 a visit to 
 id grief I 
 res. Feel- 
 rk when I 
 e wnne it- 
 the shape 
 in a hand- 
 ice to say, 
 
 Iter, milk, 
 ich things, 
 alk of our 
 her things 
 .it are now 
 jasure lost 
 
 things we 
 
 cleverness 
 
 or seeing 
 
 ess of the 
 1 the path- 
 as not the 
 indreds of 
 howled 
 me as 
 I have 
 
 m 
 
 s 
 
 to 
 
 Is 
 
 vonderful. 
 im just as 
 vith these 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 first-class guides. They are not all thus gifted, hut 
 there are some who never blunder, or even hesitate, 
 under the most difficult circumstances. The sky 
 may be leaden with clouds all day, and an ordinary 
 person get so bewildered that he does not know 
 north from south, or east from west, but the guide 
 never hesitates for an instant, but on and on with 
 unerring accuracy he pushes day after day, or even 
 night after night." 
 
 'That is wonderful indeed," replied Alec, "but 
 the cleverness with which the wolves tried to get 
 ahead of me by cutting across the necks of land in 
 the river, and their other deviltries, are what I will 
 never forget." 
 
 Here this most interesting conversation was 
 ended by the arrival of Paulette and Mustagan, with 
 the word that the melting snow had exposed the 
 houses of the muskrats, and that they were off on a 
 hunting excursion to a great pondlike swamp where 
 these animals were known to be very numerous. At 
 once it was decided that a party would be made up 
 to join them at a designated spot in the forest on the 
 edge of tii:s great swamp. The distance was be- 
 tween twenty and thirty miles, and as the greater 
 part of the route would be on the ice, it was decided 
 not to start until the chill of the evening had hard- 
 ened the snow, which now nearly every day softened 
 in the midday sun. Traveling with dog-trains in 
 half-melted snow, or even when it is just soft 
 enough to stick, is very heavy, laborious work. 
 However, as soon as the sun ceases to shine upon it, 
 
 at this season, it hardens up again very quickly. 
 
 303 
 
 \r 
 
 . '.' I 
 

 II 
 
 'U 
 
 I : 
 
 
 1 
 j 
 
 j 
 
 
 - ■ i -f 
 
 I 
 
 
 'i' ^ ' ^ 
 
 
 ^^^^^^B^ 
 
 ■ i 
 
 V j 
 
 ! 
 
 4 
 
 'H 
 
 Wi.VTER Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 Arrangements were made for a three or four 
 days' trip, so a regular camp outfit was taken along 
 on the dog-sleds. In addition to their guns the boys 
 were each supplied with a long, lancelike barbed 
 spear for effective use when securing the muskrats. 
 Two or three Indians were taken along by Mr. Ross, 
 who remarked to the boys, when he decided to ac- 
 company them himself, that perhaps this was the 
 last hunting trip of the season with the dogs, with 
 perhaps the exception of the one to the goose hunt, 
 which would not be long distant. 
 
 The whole party left Sagasta-weekee about sun- 
 dov/n, and as it was a crisp, cold, beautiful moon- 
 light night, everybody enjoyed the trip exceedingly. 
 The boys, however, could not help remarking the 
 great change in the temperature from midday. 
 Then the sun was so hot that the snow was melting 
 at a marvelous rate; now everything was as hard 
 and firm as though it were still January. Through 
 the portages and over the frozen ice expanses they 
 hurried, and some time before midnight they reached 
 a splendid camp already prepared for them by Pau- 
 lette and Mustagan. A great roaring fire looked 
 very attractive to all, even to the boys, as they had 
 become quite accustomed to these wintry resting 
 places when the heavy day's work was done. Ket- 
 tles were quickly filled and a late supper was eaten, 
 and then all lay down to sleep. Nothing disturbed 
 their rest except the distant mournful screeches of 
 the wild cats and some other wild animals, that were 
 already, now that spring was coming, like them- 
 selves, on the lookout for muskrats. 
 
 304 
 
Boys 
 
 •ee or four 
 taken along 
 ins the boys 
 ;like barbed 
 le muskrats. 
 y Mr. Ross, 
 cided to ac- 
 his was the 
 ; dogs, with 
 goose hunt, 
 
 \ about sun- 
 itiful moon- 
 exceedingly, 
 narking the 
 )m midday, 
 was melting 
 vas as hard 
 ^ Through 
 [pauses they 
 hey reached 
 lem by Pau- 
 fire looked 
 as they had 
 itry resting 
 :lone. Ket- 
 r was eaten, 
 ig disturbed 
 screeches of 
 s, that were 
 like them- 
 
 iN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 In the morning, after an early breakfast, the 
 whole party set off for the great pondlike morass 
 that extended for miles. Numerous tracks of wild 
 animals were seen, and Mustagan pointed out to the 
 boys not only those of soiiie wild cats, but also a 
 number of those made by the great feet of the wol- 
 verines, as these latter animals are as fond of musk- 
 rats as are any other. When the edge of the shore 
 was reached the boys were surprised to see how 
 rapidly the snow had disappeared from the surface 
 of this lakelike pond. On it they noticed a large 
 number of what seemed like bundles of straw, as 
 though a farmer in a great loaded wagon had driven 
 over the surface and had here and there in many 
 places pitched out large forkfuls and left them to 
 decay. 
 
 '*It looks," said Sam, "as though some farmer 
 hereabouts had been drawing out the contents of his 
 barnyard to enrich his fields." 
 
 "Just what I thought," said Alec. 
 
 "All those little hillocks of marsh hay and reeds 
 are muskrat nests," explained Mr. Ross. "They 
 were made last summer on the little mossy hill- 
 ocks that everywhere abound in all of these great 
 marshes. Being then entirely surrounded by water, 
 they are fairly safe from the prowling wild animals 
 that hunt them as their prey, as wolverines and wild 
 cats dislike the water. Then in the winter they are 
 completely covered by the deep snow, and so are as 
 safe as beavers' kitchens. But in the early spring, 
 when the snow melts off the ice, they are at the 
 
 mercy of their foes. The ice remains solid for 
 20 305 
 
 mm' 
 
 m-'i. 
 
 
 \ 
 
 ^ 
 
 '1'' \ 
 
 \ 
 
 likH 
 
mmm 
 
 Vn 
 
 
 
 ,i ' 
 
 . 5 
 
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 1: ^ 
 
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 it ' 
 
 
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 (■' 
 
 i I i 
 
 ■ 1 'i 
 
 1 . 
 
 ;; i 
 
 '1 
 
 WiNTKR Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 another month or so, and on its hard surface these 
 water-hating enemies travel and tear open these 
 nests and devour those that have not deep enough 
 burrowings in which to hide themselves away. Of 
 course, as s(jon as open water comes they are safe, 
 as they are thoroughly amphibious animals." 
 
 The boys were each armed with long, lancelike 
 spears, while the Indians had in addition to these 
 some axes and guns. At the first nest the boys found 
 that the wild cats and wolverines had been there 
 before them and had cleared out every muskrat. 
 However, as under the guidance of the Indians they 
 pushed out further on the ice, they found many nests 
 or little houses undisturbed. A few blows with the 
 axes knocked the house to pieces, and then there was 
 quick work in spearing the almost helpless animals. 
 In the houses near the channel of the stream, or 
 where there was deep water, very often the clever 
 muskrats had a channel dug from their little straw 
 houses to the water. These "runs," as they are 
 called, serve as a line of retreat whenever their home 
 is attacked. In other places the muskrats contented 
 themselves with merely having a well-like place 
 under their little houses. While some of them were 
 deep enough to save them from the wild cats or wol- 
 verines, thev were not sufficient to save them from 
 the spears of our boys and Indians. It seemed at 
 first cruel to thus stab the helpless animals, but their 
 flesh wvas food for the natives, and their furs were 
 sold to the traders for things essential to the In- 
 dians' comfort. So numerous were the nests in this 
 
 extensi\'e morass that there was work enough for 
 
 306 
 
Boys 
 
 rfacc these 
 open these 
 ;ep enough 
 away. Of 
 ;y are safe, 
 als." 
 
 J, lancehke 
 311 to these 
 boys found 
 been there 
 y muskrat. 
 ndians they 
 many nests 
 ws with the 
 !n there was 
 ess animals, 
 stream, or 
 the clever 
 ittle straw 
 they are 
 their home 
 s contented 
 -like place 
 them were 
 cats or wol- 
 them from 
 seemed at 
 s, but their 
 • furs were 
 to the In- 
 lests in this 
 enough for 
 
 IS 
 
 IN THK CIrkat Lonf. Land 
 
 the hunters for days. The boys, however, soon be- 
 came tired of killing the poor muskrats, and so only 
 remained at the work with the Indians for the one 
 forenoon. After that they left their long spears at 
 the camp, and taking a dog or two with them, at;d 
 their guns, had some good sport among the par- 
 tridges, which were fairly numerous. 
 
 The second morning the boys were aroused very 
 early by a couple of the Indians who had been on the 
 watch during the night guarding the now large pile 
 of muskrats and skins. Paulcttc and Mustagan 
 were too clever to let their game be stolen fn^m 
 them, as were some beavers earlier in the winter 
 from otlu . hunters, as we have described elsewhere. 
 
 "Get ready soon, and get your guns and come 
 with us, and we will show you something that will 
 please you." 
 
 It did not take them long to respond, and so they 
 were soon on the trail with Mr. Ross, while the tw'o 
 old Indians noiselessly led the way. The other In- 
 dians had orders to remain in the camp and keep the 
 dogs with them, and as quiet as possible. They had 
 not traveled more than half a mile before the boys 
 heard the most discordant screeches. Still they had 
 not the slightest idea of what sort of an experience 
 was before them. Louder and louder were these 
 sounds, as they came directly with the wind toward 
 them. When they reached a little depression in the 
 trail they found that Mustagan and Paulette had 
 stopped and were awaiting their arrival. It was 
 now so light iii the eastern sky that the boys could 
 
 see as they approached that the Indians were mak- 
 
 307 
 
 w ■> 
 
 
 
 Sf 
 
 nv 
 
Winter Adventures of Three F.oys 
 
 '»! 
 
 m? 
 
 I i' 
 
 m 
 
 ^f' 
 
 ing signs for perfect quiet. So as noiselessly as pos- 
 sible they, with Mr. Ross, joined them. Then they 
 were informed that just over the brow of the steep 
 hill bef re them a couple of wolverines had chased 
 a couple of wild cats up into a large tree. The cats 
 had each captured a muskrat, and were making off 
 with them when the wolverines came along and tried 
 to rob them of their prey. However, the wild cats 
 had succeeded in getting up into this solitary large 
 tree v,^th their game, and although the wolverines 
 can climb trees they did not like to do so to attack 
 these fierce cats, as their being already above them 
 in the tree would give them such an advantage. 
 
 Very distinctly now could be heard the growls 
 of the wolverines, and then the defiant snarls of the 
 cats. Wi'h their guns loaded with ball, they all 
 begai: ihe cautious crawl up the hillside, with the 
 Indians mi tiiC advance. Fortunately for them, the 
 top of the hill ;i;as studded with short, stunted 
 spruce trees. By each person keeping one of these 
 well in front of him, they were all able to crawl up 
 to positions where they could distinctly see the tree 
 with the wild cats ensconced on its large branches 
 and the wolverines at the foot of it. The tree was 
 not an evergreen, and so every branch was distinctly 
 visible. For a time they watched the various man- 
 oeuvers of the animals. They noticed that when the 
 wolverines were not active In their movements the 
 wild cats kept eating bits off the muskrats. This 
 seemed to anger the furious brutes on the ground, 
 and so the}'' would one after another make the at- 
 tempt to get up the hard, smooth trunk. How the 
 
 308 
 
 \ 
 
 Um 
 
 i 
 
^irair 
 
 i'%' 
 
 lOYS 
 
 ,sly as pos- 
 Then they 
 f the steep 
 lad chased 
 The cats 
 making off 
 g and tried 
 Q wild cats 
 litary large 
 wolverines 
 ,0 to attack 
 above them 
 antage. 
 the growls 
 inarls of the 
 nil, they all 
 le, with the 
 )r them, the 
 3rt, stunted 
 Dne of these 
 to crawl up 
 see the tree 
 ore branches 
 'he tree w^as 
 as distinctly 
 arious man- 
 lat when the 
 vements the 
 krats. This 
 the ground, 
 nake the at- 
 How the 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 cats had succeeded was a mystery to the boys. Wol- 
 verines are fairly good tree climbers, but they had 
 no show at all here, for when one of them succeeded 
 in getting well up the almost smooth, bare trunk a 
 fierce blow from the unencumbered paw of one of 
 the wild cats, securely seated on the large lowest 
 limb, which ran out almost parallel from the trunk 
 of the tree, quickly caused him to loose his grip and 
 fall helplessly to the ground. Then with apparent 
 satisfaction the wild cat would take another bite or 
 two of his muskrat. Several times, as though on 
 purpose, the wild cats dropped small bits of meat or 
 half-picked lx)nes to the ground. The taste or smell 
 of these fairly drove the wolverines furious, and so 
 they would desperately make fresh attempts to get 
 at their enemies, but without success. 
 
 It was fortunate for our party that the wind was 
 blowing toward them, and also that the air was 
 so thoroughly tainted with the musky smell of 
 the muskrats. Under ordinary circumstances they 
 would have been detected long ere they had reached 
 the top of the hill. So, unsuspected, they watched 
 the strange antics of these animals, until suddenly 
 the reports of a couple of guns rang out, and then 
 up sprang both Mustagan and Pauiette and dashed 
 down to the foot of the tree, loudly calling to the 
 rest of the party to quickly follow. Following Mr. 
 Ross, the boys speedily obeyed, and when they 
 reached the tree they found that one wolverine was 
 dead and the other was hobbling off, as speedily as 
 he could, on three legs. The other had been broken 
 
 by the ball of one of the Lidians. The frightened 
 
 309 
 
 ii. 
 
 '} 
 
 ft !■ 
 
 ll: 
 
 m 
 
If^^"^'-^^ 
 
 i*,:> 
 
 Ui 
 
 
 i::iii 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 wild cats had dropped what was left of the musk- 
 rats, which was not much, and had found their way 
 much higher up in the large tree, where they vainly 
 tried to hide themselves by stretching out on a 
 couple of large branches. Quickly loading his gun 
 again, Paulette hurried off after the wounded wol- 
 verine, that, in spite of his broken leg, was rapidly 
 making for the distant dense forest. But vain were 
 all his efforts, for behind him was an Indian who, 
 although now well up in years, was one of the fleet- 
 est runners in the tribe. Soon the gun rang out and 
 another wolverine was dead. 
 
 It was decided that the boys should have the work 
 of shooting the wild cats. So close and flat did they 
 crawl down on the big branches that the boys had 
 to move back to a considerable distance from the 
 tree to get a good aim. Sam and Alec were to fire 
 first, and if either cat failed to drop, then Frank was 
 to bring it down. Mr. Ross and Mustagan with 
 loaded guns stood ready for any emergency, for 
 wild cats are uncertain animals, and are not to be 
 trifled with. They are very fierce, and will some- 
 times, when thus treed, if furious with hunger, or 
 driven from their young, spring down into the 
 midst of the hunters and fight like tigers. When 
 the boys had secured a good position, and each knew 
 which wild cat he was expected to kill, Mustagan 
 gave the signal, and together the reports of their 
 guns rang out. The cat at which Sam had fired at 
 cnce dropped to the ground, stone dead. The other 
 did not move, much to the chagrin of Alec, who 
 
 could not understand how he should have missed 
 
 310 
 
30YS 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 the nuisk- 
 [ their way 
 ;hey vainly 
 out on a 
 ng his gun 
 .uided wol- 
 vas rapidly 
 t vain were 
 iidian who, 
 3f the fleet- 
 ing out and 
 
 ve the work 
 lat did they 
 le boys had 
 ;e from the 
 were to fire 
 Frank was 
 tagan with 
 rgency, for 
 not to be 
 w^U some- 
 hunger, or 
 n into the 
 ers. When 
 1 each knew 
 Mustagan 
 rts of their 
 had fired at 
 The other 
 Alec, who 
 lave missed 
 
 him. Just as Frank raised his gun to fire Musta- 
 gan's quick eye saw what the boys did not, and so 
 before Frank could fire he stopped him by saying: 
 
 ''That cat is dead ; do not waste another bullet on 
 it. You only more injure his skin." 
 
 And so it was; when the body was at length ob- 
 tained it was found that Alec's bullet had hit him 
 squarely behind the fore shoulder and had gone 
 clean through his body, of course killing him so 
 suddenly that there was not even that muscular 
 quiver which generally causes animals when thus 
 killed to fall to the ground. This was what actually 
 happened to the one that Sam shot. 
 
 Paulette soon after made his appearance drag- 
 ging the wolverine. They were all delighted with 
 the morning's work. Mr. Ross and the boys hurried 
 back to the camp and speedily dispatched an Indian 
 with a dog-train and empty sled for the game. 
 While some skinned these animals, others spent the 
 day in killing additional muskrats, and then after 
 supper, as soon as the snow had frozen hard again 
 and the glorious moon was well up in the heavens, 
 the home trip was commenced. Loaded down as 
 they were, they did not travel as fast as they had 
 done in the outward trip, and so it was about day- 
 break when they reached Sagasta-weekee. 
 
 311 
 
 
 p j 
 
 I 
 
 
|m 
 
 1 »1- I ! -I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 ! I 
 
 CHAPTER XXIJ. 
 
 N'iskepesim, the Goose Moon — Excitement Among the In- 
 dians — The Fu'st Goose — T!i*iir Northern Migrations — Feeding 
 Grounds — Methoti of Hunting Them- Nests — Decoys — Our 
 Boys Off with the Indians — The Shoonng Grounds — Their 
 Camp — Grf;at Success — Frank's Queer Accident — Hit by a 
 Dead Goose- -Sam's Comments — Laden with Spoils. 
 
 Not many days after the return from the lusk- 
 rat hunt the weather became, for that land, de- 
 cidedly warmer. This created so much excitement 
 among the generally stoical Indians that the boys 
 cculd not but observe it. So one day, when a num- 
 ber of them were at Sagasta-weekee, Sam asked 
 Mustagan the cause of it. The old man answered 
 but one word, and that was : 
 
 **Niskepesim" ("The goose moon"). 
 
 "Yes," said Kinesasis, who had just come in, "it 
 has surely come. Some passing hunters saw some 
 wild geese near the mouth of the river, at Lake 
 Winnipeg, and others who were out spearing musk- 
 rats said that they heard flocks of them passing over 
 during the night." 
 
 Great indeed was the excitement everywhere at 
 this news. It rapidly flew from Sagasta-weekee to 
 the fort, and then on to the mission. As though by 
 some mysterious telegraphy, it passed from one In- 
 dian settlement to another, yea, from wigwam to 
 wigwam, until the cry everywhere was, "Niskepe- 
 sim! Niskepesim!" ("The goose moon! The 
 goose moon!"") 
 
 313 
 
Boys 
 
 rnong the In- 
 ions— Feeding 
 -Decoys— Our 
 •ounds— Their 
 nt— Hit by a 
 5oils. 
 
 n the lusk- 
 it land, de- 
 1 excitement 
 lat the boys 
 vhen a num- 
 Sam asked 
 an answered 
 
 come in, "it 
 rs saw some 
 ^er, at Lake 
 taring musk- 
 passing over 
 
 ^erywhere at 
 ta-weekee to 
 S.S though by 
 rom one In- 
 wigwam to 
 s, "Niskepe- 
 noon ! The 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Why there should be such commotion among 
 these northern Indians about the arrival of the wild 
 geese has long been a puzzle to outsiders who hap- 
 pen to be among them at the time. Nevertheless 
 such is the case. The fact that this moon is really 
 the beginning of spring, which is so welcome, after 
 the long and drea'*^^ winter, may have something to 
 do with this gentral excitement and gladness. It 
 is really the first month that the family have a flit- 
 ting out from the close, confined houses or wigwams 
 in which they have passed the cold, dreary montliS. 
 Then it brings them a welcome change of diet, 
 which is much prized after the long six months' 
 dining twenty-one times a week on frozen white- 
 fish, with only the variation of a little venison, 
 muskrat, or beaver. 
 
 At Sagasta-weekee the excitement was as great 
 as anywhere else. Mr. Ross had to exert a good 
 deal of authority to keep some of his men at work 
 after they had seen a great flock of these splendid 
 gray geese fly over their heads. Over at the mission 
 Mr. Hurlburt had failed completely in holding his 
 men. He had been for some time urging them to 
 clear up and put under cultivation what ground they 
 had around their village that was good and fertile. 
 At a good deal of expense he had secured a fine sup- 
 ply of axes, hoes, spades, and oth( ' necessary imple- 
 ments, as well as seeds, to help them. For some days 
 they had worked industriously and well, and there 
 was every prospect of a hrge portion of the ground 
 being prepared and planted. One day, when Mr 
 
 Hurlburt had about thirty men hard at work in the 
 
 313 
 
 !?;■! 
 
 III. 
 
 V ! 
 
mj^ ' 
 
 T"'l 
 
 - ■ 
 
 If 1 
 
 
 M 
 
 ( 1 
 
 tl 1'^ 
 
 '^i:/*\ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 f :. 
 
 I nf: 
 
 »'i, 
 
 i ''',' 
 
 '! i 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 fields, what should come flying along on the south 
 wind but a great flock of geese? They were in 
 broken ranks, not more than fifty feet above the 
 ground, and evidently tired and looking for a feed- 
 ing place. The sight was too much for the hunting 
 instinct of the Indians, and so every ax, hoe, and 
 spade was instantly dropped, and away they rushed 
 for their guns. The missionary did not see one of 
 them again for two weeks. 
 
 The wild geese are of various varieties. The first 
 to arrive are the great gray ones. They seem to 
 come up from Central America, Mexico, and South- 
 ern California, where they have spent the winter 
 months. Then follow the brants, wavey, or laughing 
 geese, which are all smaller varieties. When on 
 their long migrations the geese all fly very high, 
 cind generally in long lines or triangles. But when 
 they reach the north country, where they hope to 
 spend the summer, they fly low over the ground. 
 They seem to be then on the lookout for feeding 
 grounds and suitable locations for nest building. If 
 undisUirbed, they speedily break up in pairs. They 
 arrive very hungry, and so spend some days in 
 heavy feeding on the peculiar many-jointed grass, 
 called goose grass, the Indian name of which is 
 Niskeanuskw^a. 
 
 At Sagasta-weekee the boys had heard so much 
 
 about the goose hunt that they were full of curiosity 
 
 and excitement as the time of its expected arrival 
 
 drew near. White suits and white caps had already 
 
 been made for them, and the guns were all freshly 
 
 cleaned and oiled. Camping outfits w^ere all ready, 
 
 314 
 
 .; I 
 
I 
 
 30YS 
 
 the south 
 y were in 
 
 above the 
 for a feed- 
 he hunting 
 :, hoe, and 
 hey rushed 
 
 see one of 
 
 .. The first 
 ey seem to 
 and South- 
 the winter 
 or laughing 
 
 When on 
 very high, 
 
 But when 
 ley hope to 
 he ground, 
 for feeding 
 luilding. If 
 
 irs. They 
 lie days in 
 fnted grass, 
 
 f which is 
 
 Ird so much 
 I of curiosity 
 
 :ted arrival 
 
 |had already 
 
 all freshly 
 
 [e all ready, 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 and the boys observed that in addition to the win- 
 ter's supplies there were added large heavy oilcloths, 
 like tarpaulins. The next morning after Kinesasis 
 had reported the words of the passing Indians there 
 came in another hunter, and he had with him the 
 first goose of the season. He was delighted to be 
 the first, as a handsome reward is given to the one 
 who is fortunate enough to kill and bring in this 
 kind of first fruits of the harvest of these great 
 birds. The sight of this goose was all that was 
 necessary to have all arrangements completed, and 
 it was decided that on the next morning all who 
 could go should be off to the great goose hunt. 
 
 The point selected for the camp was on the border 
 of one of these great swampy plains, from which the 
 greater part of the snow had been melted by the 
 warm south wind, leaving exposed over hundreds 
 of acres vast quantities of this jointed grass on 
 which the geese feed with such avidity. The frost 
 was still in the ground, and so there was no diffi- 
 culty on the part of the hunters in arranging their 
 shooting nests and decoys as they desired. The 
 camp w^as n^ade very similar to those already de- 
 scribed. There were a few changes, however. The 
 soft snow was all cleared away, and a deep layer of 
 fine balsam boughs were evenly spread out over the 
 cleared place. Then over this a couple of tarpaulins 
 were spread, and on these the usual camp beds of 
 rcbes and blankets were arranged as elsewhere de- 
 scribed. A great log fire was built up in front, and 
 numerous logs were cut for use when required. A 
 
 number of good stiff long poles were also cut and 
 
 315 
 
 1; 
 
 If! 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 B-ff.) 
 
 [■ n 
 
 :i I 
 
 '( i; 
 
 placed where they could be quickly utilized, if 
 needed, to erect a roof or barrier against a storm 
 of sleet or rain which might unexpectedly come up. 
 While the camp was thus being prepared by some 
 of the party, in this cozy elevated place, back among 
 the trees, where it would not frighten the geese, 
 others were equally hard at work making the nests 
 out on the great open meadowlike place where the 
 goose grass was most abundant. These nests were 
 built up of dry grass and dead brush, and made so 
 that they looked just as their names would indicate 
 — like great nests. Each of them was large enough 
 to comfortably hold two hunters, who could easily 
 move around, and thus be able to fire in any direc- 
 tion. They were about four feet high, and so con- 
 structed that when the hunters inside were crouching 
 down they w^ere quite invisible to the passing geese. 
 Some Indians used to pile lumps of snow here and 
 there on the edge of the nest to help the disguise. 
 It is a peculiarity of wild geese that white objects 
 never frighten them. This was the reason why the 
 hunters all wore white suits and white caps. Then a 
 number of decoys w^ere made. They were rather 
 rude affairs. The bodies were hewn out of logs 
 about the size of a goose. A couple of sticks were 
 driven in for legs ; then the heads and necks, which 
 had been prepared beforehand out of crooked roots, 
 were fastened in their places. They were poor af- 
 fairs, but seemed quite sufficient to attract the 
 simple geese. A number of these decoys v^ere as- 
 signed to each nest, and the hunter had to arrange 
 
 his own according to his ov/n judgment. The direc- 
 
 316 
 
ii 
 
 Boys 
 
 utilized, if 
 list a storm 
 [ly come up. 
 red by some 
 back among 
 \ the geese, 
 ng the nests 
 ;e where the 
 e nests were 
 Lind made so 
 Diild indicate 
 large enough 
 could easily 
 in any direc- 
 , and so con- 
 ^re crouching 
 assing geese. 
 low here and 
 the disguise. 
 ,vhite objects 
 ison why the 
 aps. Then a 
 were rather 
 out of logs 
 f sticks were 
 necks, which 
 ooked roots, 
 ere poor af- 
 attract the 
 joys were as- 
 [d to arrange 
 The direc- 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 tion of the wind had much to do in rightly placing 
 them. Care had to be exercised in arranging the 
 nests so that the occupants of one would not be in 
 danger from tlie firing from another, as in the ex- 
 citement of the settling down of a large tlock, or in 
 their circling completely around a nest, a person is 
 apt to forget everything but his anxiety to shoot as 
 many as possil)le. 
 
 As soon as the sleds were unloaded they were all 
 sent back to Sagasta-weekee, as not a dog must bt 
 allowed at the camp. No geese will come where 
 there are barking dogs. For the first day or two 
 there was nothing but anxious watching. The 
 southern horizon was eagerly scanned for the on- 
 coming lines of gray geese that were so eagerly 
 anticipated but s^jmed to be so late in arriving. 
 During the second night the wind, which had been 
 blowing from the northeast, suddenly veered round 
 to the southwest. This was noticed at once by the 
 old, experienced men, Mustagan, Big Tom, Memo- 
 tas, and Kinesasis, who had been invited by Mr. 
 Ross to join his party. They were convinced that 
 this wind would bring the geese, and so, dark as it 
 was, they proceeded to make all arrangements for 
 the next day's shooting. They first went out and 
 arranged all the decoys in the right position, so as 
 to attract the geese coming with such a wind. Then 
 they carried the guns and arranged them four apiece 
 in each nest, with the ammunition. 
 
 Before this work had been completed the geese 
 
 could be heard flying over their heads. Some of the 
 
 flocks were so low that the vibrations of the air 
 
 317 
 
Ki 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Roys 
 
 f i 
 
 f 
 
 
 m 
 
 J! I<i 
 1 I 
 
 'ill. • ! 
 
 di 
 
 •hi "ji 
 
 ,1 !■ 
 
 .i i 
 
 ni i 
 
 '^111 
 
 could be easily felt. When they returned to the 
 camp, although it was still starlight, they called up 
 Mr. Ross and the boys. Breakfast was quickly pre- 
 pared, and while it was being eaten the rush and 
 calls of the rapidly increasing flocks could be dis- 
 tinctly heard. Then Mustagan and Frank, each 
 taking a white blanket with him, hurried off to the 
 most distant nest, which was almost north from the 
 camp. There they cozily ensconced themselves and 
 anxiously waited for the first blush of morning. 
 Alec and Big ^om took possession of the nest on 
 their left, about two hundred yards away. Sam and 
 Memotas were assigned to the nest about the same 
 distance south of them, while Mr. Ross and Kinesa- 
 sis took possession of the one about three hundred 
 yards distant on the right. All were in white suits, 
 and had in addition their white blankets, as a pro- 
 tection against the cold. While one or two men 
 were left to take care of the camp, the others went 
 off to different places where they thought they could 
 get successful shots. 
 
 It was ncjt long before the morning star showed 
 up above the eastern horizon, and then the first 
 dawning of the day appeared. 
 
 "Chist!" ("Listen!") said Memotas to Sam, and 
 
 quickly they were on the alert. The Indian's quick 
 
 ear had detected a low-flying flock, and so before 
 
 they w^ere seen in the dim morning light they were 
 
 heard. On they came, little dreaming of danger 
 
 now that they were so far away from civilization, 
 
 and so they flew not a hundred feet above this 
 
 hidden place of their enemies. 
 
 3i8 
 
 ! 
 

 
 Boys 
 
 ncd to the 
 y called up 
 juickly pre- 
 e rush and 
 mid he dis- 
 ^rank, each 
 d off to the 
 th from the 
 mselves and 
 :)f morning, 
 the nest on 
 y. Sam and 
 )ut the same 
 and Kinesa- 
 iree hundred 
 white suits, 
 s, as a pro- 
 or two men 
 others went 
 it they could 
 
 star showed 
 len the first 
 
 to Sam, and 
 idian's quick 
 id so before 
 it they were 
 of danger 
 civilization, 
 above this 
 
 IN TiiK Great Lone Land 
 
 Bang! bang! went the two guns into th.cir midst, 
 and soon bang! bav^'! went the other two barrels. 
 With loud, discordant cries, those that were unin- 
 jured veered off to right and left. IMemotas then 
 threw down his empty gun and quickly seized his 
 loaded one, but- did not attempt to fire it. Sam also 
 quickly picked up his extra loaded one, and was 
 about to fire at the now rapidly retreating geese. 
 Memotas, however, stopped him, and showed him 
 that his gun was pointed exactly in the direction in 
 which was the nest where Alec and Big Tom were 
 stationed. Sam was frightened at what might have 
 been the consequences if he had fired, and gratefully 
 thanked Memotas for his caution. Memotas, who 
 was busily engaged in reloading the guns, only said : 
 "Soon daylight ; then you will see better." 
 
 In the meantime the others had heard the firing 
 and were on the alert, and so when the divided flock 
 turned to the right and left some of the geese came 
 close to the nest of Alec and Big Tom, and the rest 
 were not very far from that of Mr. Ross and Kine- 
 sasis. There w^as firing from both parties, but their 
 success was not very much, as the darkness was still 
 too great, and the geese were not so close to them 
 as they had been to Sam's nest. Memotas went out 
 and found a couple of geese which he brought into 
 the nest. He and Sam were quite proud of having 
 killed the first. In the meantime, with the increase 
 of the wand there was an increase in the number of 
 the passing flocks. And now soon they began to be 
 distinctly visible, and the firing became quite fre- 
 quent. Of course, a good many shots were lost, as 
 
 319 
 
 i 
 
 'W 1 
 
 ir' 
 
 
•"I 
 
 ii< i 
 
 WiNTKR AnVKN'TrUKS OF TlIRKl-: PiOVS 
 
 it is no easy matter to hit a (lying goose, large as it 
 is. No experienced Imnter thinks of firing (Hrectly 
 at a goose that is flying l)y him, or even overhead. 
 He has to calculate for at least a foot ahead for, say, 
 each hundred feet the goose is away from him, and 
 it takes a quick eye and good judgment to correctly 
 estimate the distance. Sam said he liked hest to fire 
 at them when there was a string of them in line. 
 Then by blazing away at the first he generally 
 brought down the third or fourth. 
 
 It was now full daylight, and so it was necessary 
 for the hunters to be much more wary and keep 
 themselves well down in their nests and very quiet. 
 When they were perfectly still the geese took them 
 for lumps of snow. This was the reason why there 
 was nothing but white in their dress. Even the 
 belts they had tied around them were pure white. 
 Soon the Indians began calling, to bring the geese 
 within range. The rude decoys were placed as 
 though they were having a glorious time feasting 
 on the rich goose grass. The calls of the Indians 
 were exact imitations of the geese calling to their 
 fellows. Sometimes these cries sounded like 
 "Honk! honk! honk!" Then they seemed to be 
 more like "Uk! uk! uk!" Then sometimes they 
 were like the calls that the ordinary barnyard geese 
 make when well satisfied with food. It was inter- 
 esting to the boys to notice how quickly a far-away 
 flock caught these sounds. Marvelously acute was 
 their hearing. Then they acted so differently. 
 Some were very wary and shy, and at once began 
 
 to endeavor, as it were, to climb up higher and 
 
 320 
 
r,()Ys 
 
 large as it 
 ng directly 
 1 overhead. 
 ;ad for, say, 
 m bim, and 
 to c(^rrectly 
 1 best to fire 
 leni in line, 
 le generally 
 
 as necessary 
 ry and keep 
 d very quiet, 
 se took them 
 3n why there 
 1 Even the 
 ! pure white, 
 ng the geese 
 e placed as 
 ime feasting 
 the Indians 
 ling to their 
 lounded like 
 eemed to be 
 netimes they 
 rnyard geese 
 It was inter- 
 y a far-away 
 ily acute was 
 differently. 
 ,t once began 
 higher and 
 
 IN THE Great I.one Land 
 
 higher in the sky. This, however, was a difficult 
 task just then, as the wind was behind them. When 
 geese, as a general thing, wish to quickly rise up 
 high in the air, they turn and go against the wind. 
 In some way or other it speedily seems to lift them 
 up. Other flocks, as soon as they thought they 
 heard some of their comrades having such a good 
 time, came right on and were close to the decoys and 
 nests before they were aware of their blunder. Then 
 the firing was rapid and destructive. Some of the 
 flocks had dropped down so low that in order to 
 rise up again they had to circle round and go back 
 against the wind. Then there was double sport for 
 the hunters. Often a flock would come in on the 
 left side, and just as it was about to light among 
 the decoys the guns would ring out and do their 
 deadly work. The survivors were so low dov/n 
 that they could not go on with any advantage, and 
 so had to turn sharp to the right and try to get away 
 by going back against the wind. This movement 
 brought them now on the right side of the nest, and 
 as they passed more of the guns were fired and more 
 victims fell dead to the ground. 
 
 Such were the positions of the nests in reference 
 to the wind, that Sam and Memotas had, by all 
 odds, the best place that day. Generally after they 
 had fired the flock broke in two, and Alec and Big 
 Tom got part, while the other portion generally 
 found Mr. Ross and Kinesasis. However, when a 
 great flock pushed on unbroken it generally went 
 directly over and very near the nest where Frank 
 and Mustagan had their quarters. Then there was 
 
 21 321 
 
 
 ' ! it I 
 
 h ■ 
 
 If ' 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 
 ;, u 
 
 if ! 
 
 some fine shooting, as each had two double-barreled 
 guns and Frank had become quite famous as a shot. 
 Many of the geese dropped at once to the ground 
 when shot. Others, although mortally wounded, 
 only fell when quite a distance beyond, as the mo- 
 mentum of their rapid flight seemed to carry them 
 on. Some fell when they were only shot through 
 one wing. During the lull after the firing, when the 
 boys went out from the nests to bring in the spoils, 
 there were some additional battles to be fought ere 
 seme of the geese were conquered. Especially was 
 this the case with those that were injured in only 
 one wing. When these were approached they in- 
 stantly stood on the defensive and stuick out most 
 viciously with the unwounded wing. Some of tne 
 boys had had some experience in this line, and so 
 were now on their guard, and thus escaped feeling 
 the tremendous power of a goose's wing. Others 
 viciously used their bills and made lively work for 
 the boys ere they were conquered. Others un- 
 wounded in their legs made of¥ as rapidly as pos- 
 sible, and then there was great fun in the work of 
 running them down. Those that could use even 
 their wounded wing, or wings, to help them in their 
 movements made capital time, and while most of 
 them were captured, others succeeded in getting 
 away altogether. Doubtless they would be picked 
 up by alert Indian hunters, who were, or would be 
 in a day or so, literally swarming over every place 
 where a goose was likely to be obtained. 
 
 When noon arrived they nearly all returned to 
 
 the camp, where dinner already awaited them. 
 
 322 
 
Boys 
 
 3le-barrele(l 
 IS as a shot, 
 the ground 
 ^ wounded, 
 as the mo- 
 carry them 
 hot through 
 ig, when the 
 in the spoils, 
 ,e fought ere 
 specially was 
 ured in only 
 :hed they in- 
 ack out most 
 Some of t'ne 
 line, and so 
 ,caped feeling 
 ing. Others 
 ely work for 
 Others un- 
 .pidly as pos- 
 the work of 
 luld use even 
 them in their 
 hile most of 
 ;d in getting 
 .lid be picked 
 I, or would be 
 :r every place 
 
 [l returned to 
 raited them. 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Twenty-seven geese were the results of the shoot- 
 ing in the four nests. Other Indians came in with 
 their bags. Some had done on the average better 
 than this, and some not so well. As the wind re- 
 mained steady in the one direction the flocks of 
 geese were very numerous. There was hardly a 
 period of ten minutes' time when some were not 
 visible. Of course, 'the great majority of the flocks 
 were high up in the air. On and on they flew, their 
 eyes fixed on a point further north, perhaps a thou- 
 sand miles beyond. No call from the hunters 
 reached them, no ball even from a rifle pierced the 
 thin air of that exalted region in which, at perhaps 
 a rate of a hundred miles an hour, on they flew. The 
 Lidians say that the same geese come back, when 
 possible, to their old feeding grounds year after 
 year. 
 
 After dinner t!ie sport was resumed. When no 
 flocks were near the boys would jump out of their 
 nests and by some racing and frolicking on the ice 
 keep themselves warm, as there was much of winter 
 still in the air. The cry of "Niskuk! niskuk!" 
 ( ''Geese! geese!") would send them racing back to 
 their respective nests, and it was often as much as 
 they could do to reach their retreats ere the geese 
 were upon them. 
 
 A queer accident happened to Frank. As a small 
 
 flock passed over the nest in which Sam and Memo- 
 
 tas were sitting Sam. blazed away W'ith his last 
 
 barrel, just as the geese had gone by. He struck 
 
 one of them and mortally wounded it, but it had 
 
 vitality enough left to keep itself up until it reached 
 
 323 
 
 n '•. 
 
 « 
 
 m 
 
m 
 
 w 
 
 /: ''. 
 
 II I 1, 
 
 Winter /wDventures of Three Boys 
 
 the nest where Frank and Mustagan were crouched 
 down watching another flock that was approaching 
 from the other side. Without any warning the 
 goose suddenly dropped dead with a whack on top 
 of Frank, knocking him over most thoroughly and 
 causing his gun to suddenly go off, but fortunately 
 without hitting his Indian companion. A great 
 gray goose weighs something, and so the whack 
 from this dead one nearly knocked Frank senseless. 
 The inmates of the other nests quickly came to his 
 assistance. He was so dazed with the blow that it 
 was decided that he and Sam, who had had about 
 enough of goose-killing to suit them, should go to 
 the camp for the rest of the afternoon. It was 
 wisely thought that Sam's irrepressible fun and 
 good nature would be the best medicine for Frank 
 for the time being. 
 
 That evening, when the shooting was over and all 
 were seated on their comfortable robes around the 
 bright camp fire, there was a lot of talk about 
 Frank's queer accident. All were thankful that the 
 blow did no more serious harm. Mustagan said 
 that he had shot geese flying over the ice where they 
 had fallen with such force that they had broken 
 clean through ice so strong that men could walk 
 over it with safety. 
 
 "What do you think about it, Sam ?" said Alec. 
 
 "Think about it, do you ask me?" replied Sam. 
 
 "I have done a deal of thinking about it. I've been 
 
 thinking that was the queerest weapon of offense 
 
 I ever heard or dreamed of. I have heard of arrows 
 
 and bullets and darts and clubs and shillalahs and 
 
 324 
 
Boys 
 
 jre crouched 
 approaching 
 Ararning the 
 'hack on top 
 •roughly and 
 t fortunately 
 n. A great 
 3 the whack 
 ink senseless. 
 r came to his 
 : blow that it 
 ad had about 
 should go to 
 oon. It was 
 ible fun and 
 ne for Frank 
 
 s over and all 
 
 IS around the 
 
 )f talk about 
 
 ikful that the 
 
 ustagan said 
 
 |ce where they 
 
 had broken 
 
 could walk 
 
 '" said Alec, 
 replied Sam. 
 it. I've been 
 »n of offense 
 ,rd of arrows 
 ihillalahs and 
 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 tomahawks and boomerangs, and even thunderbolts, 
 but the idea of hitting a poor, defenseless English 
 lad with a dead goose ! It beats me hollow ! Sure 
 I can hardly believe my senses. I'll be denying the 
 whole thing to-morrow, although I saw the com- 
 plete performance to-day." 
 
 The next morning Frank was fully recovered 
 from this queer blow, and just as eager as ever to 
 take his place in his nest with Mustagan. The wind 
 veered around to the southeast, and so all of the 
 decoys had to be changed. The shooting was good 
 all day, but not equal to the previous one. The In- 
 dians were very clever in even calling some flocks 
 back that had been fired into with deadly results. 
 The explanation the Indians gave for the returning 
 of these flocks was that although they still kept 
 together in great numbers the geese had selected 
 their mates, and the shooting of one or other of 
 these pairs had caused the whole flock to return to 
 look them up, in response to the cries of the bereaved 
 survivors. 
 
 Sam said that he thought that the elegant voices 
 of the Indians as they cried "Honk! honk!" had 
 more to do with it than any affection in the heart 
 or gizzard of an old goose. This remark of Sam's 
 was at once challenged, and a number of stories 
 were related to prove that even the despised goose 
 was worthy of a much better record than was 
 generally giv^^n her. 
 
 Thus, v/ith varied success, several days were 
 spent at the goose grounds. Two or three times 
 
 the boy«-i succeeded In each bringing down four 
 
 325 
 
 

 mi 
 
 
 ••If 
 
 1, 
 
 
 i ni] 
 
 III 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 geese with the four barrels of the two guns. This 
 ^\as considered very clever shooting on the part of 
 young fellows on their first spring's hunt. 
 
 In due time the dog-trains returned from Sagas- 
 ta~weekee. The last visits to the nests were made, 
 and the closing two hours of the goose hunt were 
 voted by all to have been the best, aa the geese were 
 so numerous that at times the guns w^ere hot with 
 the rapid work. The boys would have liked to 
 remain longer, but Mr. Ross stated that they had 
 already shot as many geese as they could eat at home 
 or could give away, and that it would not be right 
 to kill any more of such valuable birds. The true 
 hunter thinks not only of present needs, but of the 
 years to come. In times of plenty he remembers 
 there are days and years ahead. This was a satis- 
 factoiy explanation to all. 
 
 The loading up of the geese on the extra sleds 
 was soon accomplished. A good warm supper was 
 eaten, and then at about ten o'clock at night, when 
 the frost had again hardened up the snow that had 
 been so soft and slushy a few hours before, the horn? 
 journey was begun, and among "the wee small 
 hoUiS beyond the twelve" the welcome lights in Sa- 
 gasta-weekee were seen, and the happy, tired ex- 
 cursionists were glad to hurry off and half bury 
 themselves in the beds and pillows filled with the 
 downy feather^ of geese killed at the spring hunts 
 
 of years before. 
 
 326 
 
Boys 
 
 runs. This 
 the part of 
 t. 
 
 rom Sagas- 
 were made, 
 ; hunt were 
 ; geese were 
 ;re hot with 
 ive Uked to 
 at they had 
 i eat at home 
 not be right 
 5. The true 
 s, but of the 
 e remembers 
 was a satis- 
 
 i extra sleds 
 1 supper was 
 night, when 
 low that had 
 re, the hom:5 
 wee small 
 llights in Sa- 
 »y, tired ex- 
 d half bury 
 ed with the 
 pring hunts 
 
 ii h 
 
 \ii 
 
 ■1 
 
 ■ IS 
 
 ) I 
 U ! 
 
 ('■■ , 
 
 'H 
 
s. 
 
 !.( 
 
 fJ: ;I.U 
 
 '•J 
 
 : I. 
 
 J 
 
 I 
 
 .fi 
 
 ri 
 
 u 
 
 I— I 
 
 a 
 o 
 
 (o 
 
 to 
 
 o 
 
 Q 
 
 t/) 
 
 X 
 
 CO 
 
oi 
 
 o 
 Q 
 
 s 
 
 c/1 
 
 J 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Sudden Transition from Winter to Spring — Interesting 
 Phenomena — Sam's Last Great Run with His Dogs — His 
 Unique Adventure — The Open Water — His Novel Raft — Suc- 
 cessful Crossing — Frank and Alec's Duck-shooting Trip — 
 The Mighty Nelson — A Hunter's Paradise — Returning Under 
 Difficulties — One More Shot at the Wild Geese — Frank and 
 Rumors — The Fair Visitants at Sagasta-wcekee. 
 
 Very rapid indeed is the transformation from 
 one season to another in the high latitudes. When 
 the long, steady winter breaks it does so with a 
 suddenness that is startling to a person who ob- 
 serves it for the first time. The snow disappears 
 with a marvelous rapidity. The ice, that was like 
 granite in hardness and several feet thick on the 
 great lakes, becomes dark and porous, and in spots 
 literally seems to rot away. Then along the great 
 cracks, where it had burst by the power of the ter- 
 rible frost some months before, it now opens, and 
 soon great fields of it become floating masses on the 
 waters. Under the action of the brilliant rays of 
 the sun it becomes disintegrated, and falls away in 
 crystals that are of various sizes and as long as the 
 ice is thick. This crystallization begins early, and 
 makes the ice very dangerous and uncertain. The 
 Indians call this slivering of the ice candling. 
 
 Sam had a narrow escape from drowning on ac 
 
 count of this rapid transformation of the ice. He 
 
 had harnessed his dogs and gone out on the shining 
 
 327 
 
 ■ i 
 
 }^ 
 
 Ml ! 
 
 :! 
 
 r 
 
,if Mi" 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 lake for a run. The snow had all disappeared from 
 ihe land, and so the great icy expanse was all that 
 was left for an invigorating run with the dogs. The 
 frost had been keen in the night, and so everything 
 was firm and hard when he left in the morning. 
 The day was an ideal April one. The sun was full 
 of h "o-htness, and the south winds were full of 
 warri,^': ic r miles and miles Sam recklessly dashed 
 along \vith h; :plendid dogs. He was sorry at the 
 thought that he was so soon to forever leave them 
 behind in that North Land. Soon some pools of 
 water on the ice into which his dogs splashed 
 brought him to his senses, and he turned for the 
 home run to Sagasta-weekee, now perhaps twenty 
 miles away. 
 
 "Rip Van Winkle," said Sam; "sure, I am that 
 same old fellow, to judge by the change since I 
 traveled over this icy lake." 
 
 Great indeed was the transformation which the 
 sun and south wind had made. While there was 
 still plenty of good ice, there were many dark, 
 treacherous spots all around, which had so crystal- 
 lized by the sun's rays that, although the ice there 
 was still three or four feet thick, it was unsafe for 
 dogs or boy. Fortunately, dogs become very wise 
 in this matter, and so Spitfire carefully wended his 
 way among these dangerous places, cautiously keep- 
 ing where the ice was firm and solid. Rapid 
 traveling was in some places impossible, for fear 
 of running into a bit of rotten ice. 
 
 Suddenly Sam was stopped by coming to a long 
 
 stretch of open water. It was a place where during 
 
 328 
 
Boys 
 
 eared from 
 /as all that 
 dogs. The 
 everything 
 e morning, 
 im was full 
 ere full of 
 jssly dashed 
 sorry at the 
 leave them 
 ne pools of 
 ^s splashed 
 ned for the 
 laps twenty 
 
 ;, I am that 
 nge since I 
 
 which the 
 t there was 
 any dark, 
 so crystal- 
 e ice there 
 unsafe for 
 very wise 
 wended his 
 ously keep- 
 id. Rapid 
 e, for fear 
 
 to a long 
 lere during 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 one of the coldest nights the ice had suddenly burst 
 open with a report like a great cannon. The crack 
 then made was about twenty or thirty feet wide and 
 some miles in length. So intense was the cold that 
 the ice in a few hours formed again on the water 
 which was in this great opening. But when these 
 great breaks in the thick ice occur, toward the end 
 of the winter, the new ice that forms is never so 
 thick as is the rest, and so when t c raring warmth 
 comes it is the first to disappear. It v. as to one of 
 these open seams that Sam had now come. In the 
 early hours of the morning it had 1 3en covered with 
 ice sufficiently strong to hold ' im, but now it was 
 full of broken fragments that rose and fell on the 
 water that was stirred up by the strong south wind. 
 As far as the eye could reach north and south ex- 
 tended this open channel. Sam was perplexed, and 
 hardly knew what to do. To drive across was impos- 
 sible, as the seam was much wider than his cariole 
 was long. To wait until the night frost again froze 
 up the water was a risk, as to judge by the warm 
 south wind then blowing, if it so continued there 
 w^ould be no freezing of any consequence. Thus 
 Sam was troubled and annoyed at having allowed 
 himself to be thus caught, especially as he and the 
 other boys had heard Mr. Ross and the Indians 
 refer to just such experiences. With his vexation at 
 having thus had his trail so suddenly broken there 
 flashed into his memory the stories of how some of 
 the Indians, when in just such dangerous places, had 
 escaped by making great rafts of the ice and on 
 
 them floating across the open water. No sooner 
 
 329 
 
 h l\ 
 
 in 
 
 j'H,: 
 
 1^<M 
 
. 
 
 
 :i M' 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 it 
 
 * '1 
 
 
 ! i! 
 
 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 '■| i 
 , 1 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 had this thought come to Sam than he fairly shouted 
 out: 
 
 "This is my plan. Now I will have a story to tell 
 that will sound well in dear, darling Dublin." 
 
 It was well for him that an ax and ice chisel, 
 which he had been using in cutting a hole in the ice 
 the day before, were still lying in his cariole. With 
 these in his possession there came a feeling of ela- 
 tion in his heart, and he fairly shouted with delight 
 at the position in which he found himself. With 
 great zeal he set to work, and having placed his 
 dogs in what he imagined was a safe position, he 
 first carefully marked out around them a line to 
 indicate where he was to chop. Industriously he set 
 to work. But, O dear! — well, it was hard work. 
 Soon off came his outer coat, then he threw down 
 his mittens, and his fur cap followed next. Bravely 
 he toiled, until his hands were about blistered and 
 his back sore. To his great disgust he found out 
 that not one tenth part of the task was accomplished, 
 and yet he was about tired out. He had selected the 
 firmest ice he could find, in order that his raft might 
 be perfectly safe. While this was a wise thing to 
 do, and would have been all right if there had been 
 sufficient strength available to cut it out, it was 
 a mistake on the part of Sam, and so he realized 
 when he had toiled until weary. But he was not 
 disheartened, and so resolved to try and find a place 
 where the sun's rays could be utilized. Straighten- 
 ing out his dogs, he drove along the ice for a mile 
 or so before he reached a place that seemed to suit 
 
 him. When he had found what he thought would 
 
 330 
 
 !:i 
 
4 -' - ♦ 
 
 Boys 
 
 rly shouted 
 
 story to tell 
 Liblin." 
 [ ice chisel, 
 le in the ice 
 •iole. With 
 :ling of ela- 
 with delight 
 iself. With 
 r placed his 
 position, he 
 m a line to 
 ioiisly he set 
 hard work, 
 threw down 
 xt. Bravely 
 )listered and 
 e found out 
 ccomplished, 
 selected the 
 s raft might 
 ise thing to 
 re had been 
 out, it was 
 he realized 
 he was not 
 find a place 
 Straighten- 
 le for a mile 
 imed to suit 
 lUght would 
 
 IN Tllli CJKKAT LoNli LaNU 
 
 do he set to work at once, for the day was now 
 advancing. 
 
 The spot selected was a solid-looking piece of ice 
 not much longer or wider each way than liis dogs 
 and cariole. It projected somewhat into the water, 
 and on the icy side were several dark places where 
 the ice was rotten, on account of its crystallization 
 by the sun's rays. Here Sam with renewed vigc^r 
 set to work. He made rapid progress, and found 
 that all he had to do was to cut the firm ice that lay 
 between these different dark spots where the ice had 
 lost all of its cohesive power. Sam found ere he 
 had finished that his dogs were getting strangely 
 nervous, and to keep them from rushing off he had 
 to turn the train around and tie them to the cariole. 
 While doing this he discovered the cause of their 
 fear, and was also thankful that he was with them 
 in the middle of his now floating raft. The strong 
 wind blowing directly up the channel, narrow 
 though it was, had so agitated the water that there 
 was a good deal of force in it, and so now, even 
 before Sam had completely severed the ice from the 
 main body, the water had begun to cause it to 
 slightly move. Dogs are more sensitive than human 
 beings, and so they had noticed it before Sam had, 
 and while he was trying to quiet them the whole 
 thing broke loose and began slowly to move north. 
 
 As this novel raft broke loose it was quite un- 
 steady for a few minutes, and Sam saw with dis- 
 gust his ax slide into the water and disappear. 
 However, he still had the ice chisel, with its strong 
 handle, which was about eight feet in length. At 
 
 331 
 
 I If' F 
 
 ^ ^ !■- 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 I t 
 
 » ( 
 
 first he had all he could do to quiet his excited dogs. 
 They acted as though they would plunge into the 
 water in spite of all his efforts. Some soothing 
 words, and also some vigorous kicks, quieted those 
 of different temperaments, and they settled down 
 at last and seemed to say: "Well, if our master can 
 stand this, surely we ought to be a1)le to." Not until 
 Sam felt that he had his dogs well under control did 
 he make any effort to get his novel raft across the 
 channel. But when they all lay still and quiet he 
 took up his ice chisel and was ready for work. He 
 vigorously pushed against the icy shore from which 
 he had broken loose, but his strength did not at first 
 seem to make much impression, as the wind was 
 somewhat against him, and so his raft at times 
 ground roughly against the side from which he had 
 broken away. However, he was slowly working 
 north, and he was not discouraged. Sam was al- 
 ways an observant lad. When on shipboard he had 
 been interested in watching the sailors shift the sails 
 to catch the changing winds. So now an idea came 
 to him, and he resolved to see what could be done 
 with an improvised sail, even if it were only made 
 out of a large buffalo robe. Lashing one side of the 
 robe to the pole of his ice chisel, he then firmly 
 fastened one end of it to the head of his cariole. 
 Cutting two holes in the outer corners of the robe, 
 he there tied a couple of strong deerskin strings. 
 Then, taking his place in his cariole, he pulled his 
 sail up against the wind and awaited the result. 
 He was not very sure just how to manage to get 
 
 across the channel, but he had no anxiety about get- 
 
 33a 
 
Boys 
 
 xitcd clogs, 
 ^e into the 
 le soothing 
 lieted those 
 ;ttled down 
 
 master can 
 ' Not until 
 ■ control did 
 t across the 
 ,nd quiet he 
 : work. He 
 
 from which 
 d not at first 
 le wind was 
 aft at times 
 vhich he had 
 vly working 
 Sam was al- 
 )oard he had 
 
 lift the sails 
 
 m idea came 
 
 )uld be done 
 -e only made 
 
 le side of the 
 then firmly 
 his cariole. 
 of the robe, 
 
 skin strings. 
 
 le pulled his 
 he result, 
 ^anage to get 
 :y about get- 
 
 IN THE Gricat Lone Land 
 
 ting further off, as that was an impossibility, as he 
 was now jammed up against the ice. So he pulled 
 in his sail and then let it out, until at length he found 
 the right angle ior the brisk wind to cause him to 
 gradually draw away from the side he liad been on. 
 When in the middle of the channel so pleased was 
 he with his novel craft that he let out his sail, and 
 for a time sped along north between the two icy 
 shores. Then, observing an indenture in the ice to 
 the east sufficiently large to serve for a harbor for 
 his queer vessel, he steered for it and safely ran in, 
 but struck the icy landing place with such a crash 
 that his raft was split in the middle under him. 
 However, all he had to do was to hang on to his 
 cariole and straighten out his dogs by the calls they 
 well understood. In an instant they sprang ashore, 
 and easily dragged Sam and the cariole after them. 
 Facing toward the distant home, the dogs required 
 no special urging, and so rapidly, yet carefully 
 watching against the treacherous places, they hur- 
 ried on, and about sundown home was reache 1 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ross had begun to feel anxious 
 about him, and so were not only relieved by his 
 return, but very much amused by the characteristic 
 account he gave of his adventure on the ice raft. 
 
 In the meantime, although it was not quite dark, 
 there was no word as yet from Frank and Alec, who 
 with some Indians had gone off early in the morning 
 on a duck-shooting excursion. 
 
 Following the geese, the hunting of which ha^ 
 
 been so fully described in a previous chapter, came 
 
 the ducks in great flocks. They could be seen in 
 
 333 
 
 
 i f 
 
 i| - 
 
 i \ 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 :j 
 
 great multitudes during every hour of the day, 
 ard the whistling sounds that accompany their 
 i-apid flights could be heard every hour of the 
 night. They seemed to be of about every known 
 variety, from the great gray ducks down to the 
 smallest teals. The Indians were after them inces- 
 santly, and killed great numbers of them. They 
 resorted to no such elaborate preparations in hunt- 
 ing them as they did at the goose huntings, but shot 
 tliem at the various points along which they seemed 
 to crowd, and in the many pieces of open water on 
 the marshy shores, where they tried to find some 
 favorite food. The boys were out almost every day, 
 either with Mr. Ross or some trusted Indians, and 
 had some capital sport. 
 
 The morning that Sam had prepared to have a 
 good long final run with his dogs Fr?'-»k^and Alec 
 had gone to what was called the Old Fort, where 
 the mighty Nelson, gathering in Lake Winnipeg 
 the waters of many rivers, begins in its full strength 
 its fierce, rapid, onward career, that ends only when 
 it reaches the Hudson Bay. This has been for gen- 
 erations a favorite shooting ground of the Indians, 
 and here for the day the two lads and their Indian 
 attendants came. They had made the journey very 
 early in the morning, and so their dogs had had no 
 trouble with the ice, which in the night frost had 
 quickly become firm and hard. In the friendly 
 shelter of some trees they had secured their dog- 
 trains. Here building a fire, their Indian cook had 
 a second breakfast soon ready for them. While 
 eating it ^^ey could hear the cries of many wild 
 
 334 
 
iOYS 
 
 the day, 
 any their 
 Lir of the 
 ;ry known 
 ,vn to the 
 liem inces- 
 ;m. They 
 IS in hunt- 
 ^s, but shot 
 icy seemed 
 n water on 
 
 find some 
 ; every day, 
 ndians, and 
 
 1 to have a 
 k and Alec 
 ort, where 
 Winnipeg 
 till strength 
 only when 
 :en for gen- 
 :he Indians, 
 heir Indian 
 )nrney very 
 had had no 
 t frost had 
 |he friendly 
 their dog- 
 n cook had 
 :m. While 
 many wild 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 birds, that the now strong south wind was bringing 
 over them. Flocks of wild geese, principally the 
 waveys, a very much smaller variety than the great 
 gray geese, were quite numerous, as well as an occa- 
 sional one of the larger kinds. Swans flew by in 
 straight lines with such rapidity that many a shot 
 was lost in trying to shoot them. Pelicans were 
 also there in great numbers, and the boys were in- 
 tensely interested in their awkward, and at times 
 comical, movements. As they are not good for 
 food, only one or two were shot, as curiosities. 
 Cranes stalked along on their long, slender legs in 
 the marshy places, while snipe and many similar 
 birds ran rapidly along the sandy shores. The 
 ducks were everywhere, and so the shooting was 
 everything that our enthusiastic hunters could 
 desire. 
 
 The Indians, toward noon, began to get uneasy 
 about the return trij:, on account of the effects of the 
 sun's rays and the south winds on the ice. They 
 suggested an early start, but so fascinated had the 
 boys become in the shooting that they kept putting 
 it off from hour to hour. However, the return trip 
 was at length begun, and then the boys saw the wis- 
 dom of the Indians' suggestion for an earlier start, 
 and heartily wished they had agreed to it. Play- 
 green Lake, which in the morning seemed still one 
 great mass of glittering ice, now appeared half 
 broken up. Wherever the ice had burst in the win- 
 ter, and there frozen up again, now there were long 
 channels of open water. Suspicious-looking pools 
 
 of water were on the ice in many places, and so the 
 
 335 
 
 f 
 
 1 ■; 
 
 I 
 
 :\ 
 
 V \i 
 
 
 !l 
 
! i 
 
 11 
 
 i ■ ? 
 I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 outlook for the return trip was anything but pleas- 
 ant. Frank's train was the first to come to grief. 
 His heavy clogs in passing over a dark-looking patch 
 of ice broke through, and were with much difficulty 
 pulled out. What amazed him and Alec was that 
 the ice was still over two feet thick where the acci- 
 dent occurred, but under the effects of the rays of 
 the sun it had simply disintegrated into long icy 
 crystals that had no cohesiveness, and so when they 
 were trodden upon they afforded little more support 
 than so much water. 
 
 The dripping dogs were no sooner hauled out, 
 and once more started, than the appearance of a 
 flock of geese, in one of the open stretches of water, 
 was too great a temptation to be resisted. The 
 trains were halted, and Frank and Alec took their 
 guns and crept round to an icy h^bck from which 
 they would be able to get a capital shot. In a few 
 minutes the guns rang out their reports, and up rose 
 the great flocks of geese, as well as many ducks and 
 other birds. Frank and Alec had both been success- 
 ful, and so speedily they dashed over the ice to at- 
 tempt to secure their geese, which seemed to be only 
 badly wounded. As the Indians, who were in 
 charge of the dogs, saw them thus recklessly dash- 
 ing straight for the open water they instantly started 
 the dog-trains toward them. They were none too 
 soon, for the boys, apparently seeing only their 
 splendid game struggling in the narrow channel, 
 noticed not the dangerous black spots on the ice. 
 Poor Frank, who was a little in advance, almost 
 
 suddenly disappeared, l^own he went, and that so 
 
 336 
 
Joys 
 
 but pleas- 
 e to grief, 
 king patch 
 li difficulty 
 z was that 
 e the acci- 
 he rays of 
 o long icy 
 when they 
 Dre support 
 
 [lauled out, 
 .ranee of a 
 2S of water, 
 listed. The 
 : took their 
 from which 
 In a few 
 .nd up rose 
 
 ducks and 
 ten success- 
 |e ice to at- 
 
 to be only 
 lo were in 
 [essly dash- 
 
 itly started 
 |e none too 
 
 only their 
 channel, 
 
 m the ice. 
 
 !ce, almost 
 
 nd that so 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 quickly that he had not time even to throw from him 
 his gun, which speedily sank. 
 
 He had all he could do to save himself as he sank 
 in the icy crystals that sounded around him like the 
 smashing of scores of panes of glass. Alec, alarmed 
 at Frank's sad plight, madly rushed to his rescue, 
 but ere he had gone a dozen yards he too found him- 
 self, as he afterward expressed it, like a person 
 dropping into a well. Fortunately, he was holding 
 his gun crossways to his body, and as the hole of 
 rotten ice into which he so speedily dropped was but 
 a small one the gun struck solid ice each side, and as 
 he had held on securely to it he did not fall in as 
 completely as did poor Trank. His plight was, 
 however, a very awkward one, as the hole was so 
 small and the firm, jagged ice so gripped him that 
 unaided he would have had some difficulty in 
 extricating himself. 
 
 Well was it that the Indians had been on the alert, 
 and so it was but a few minutes ere they were on the 
 spot an<l at once set about the work of rescue. Alec 
 was the first reached and was speedily pulled out, 
 although it required some effort to do so on account 
 of his being so wedged in so small a hole with the 
 sharp, jagged ice. His ribs were sore for many 
 days. In the meantime Frank's position was much 
 more dangerous. The speed with which he was 
 running, when he so suddenly tumbled in, caused 
 him to go completely under the ice. He was, how- 
 ever, a good swimmer, and had presence of miiid 
 enough to know that for his own safety he must 
 
 come up in the same place where he had gone down, 
 22 337 
 
 ; fii 
 
 ^1 « 
 
 It ii 
 
 ' I 
 
.^'•••■' /'■?#C\, 
 
 1 \ 
 
 I f 
 
 i 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Bo\3 
 
 as all around was solid ice. He was sorry to iiave 
 to drop his gun, but there was no hope for it if life 
 was to be saved. He found the sensation of tryinf^; 
 to swim up through a mass of ice crystals that 
 seemed to be two or three feet long, and no lar^^er 
 in size than pencils, a unique experience. As he 
 bra\^ely struggled through them they broke in 
 thousands of pieces, some of them cutting his face 
 like glass. When he was able to get his head above 
 them he found that only a few strokes were neces- 
 sary to take him to the strong ice, as this bad spot, 
 in which he had fallen, was not more than twenty 
 feet across. Getting out of such a hole on the slip- 
 pery ice is no easy matter, and so, as he could see 
 that help was near, after a few efforts he was con- 
 tent to wait until strong arms came to his assistance 
 and rescue. 
 
 Speedily were some of the outer garments of the 
 boys pulled off, and as much of the water as could be 
 rubbed off from those u suaining on them. Two of 
 the Indians pulled off their dry coats, and with these 
 on the boys were well wrapped up in their carioles, 
 out of which many ducks were throw^n, and then at 
 once, with the swiftest and yet most cautious Indian 
 on ahead as a guide for the safe places, the rapid race 
 to Sagasta-weekee began. It was no easy matter 
 for the Indian in front when dark less began to hide 
 the dangerous places. More than once the rotten, 
 treacherous ice gave way under him, and only by a 
 sudden throwing of himself forward did he escape 
 going through into the water. 
 
 The distant lights in the windows of Sagasta- 
 
 338 
 
"■^tiz: 
 
 3\3 
 
 f to liave 
 r it if life 
 of tryinpf 
 stals that 
 no lar^^er 
 ;. As he 
 broke in 
 jT his face 
 iead above 
 ^ere neces- 
 ; bad spot, 
 lan twenty 
 »n the sHp- 
 i could see 
 e was con- 
 5 assistance 
 
 ents of the 
 as could be 
 Two of 
 with these 
 :ir carioles, 
 md then at 
 ous Indian 
 rapid race 
 asy matter 
 an to hide 
 the rotten, 
 only by a 
 he escape 
 
 I 
 
 
 f Sagasta- 
 
 iN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 weekee, well called the house full of sunshine, were 
 
 indeed welcome siglUs. Mr. and Mrs. Ross and 
 
 Sam had been long on the lookout for them, and 
 
 were shocked and frightened at the sad plight of the 
 
 two boys. Frank and /Vlec, however, tried to make 
 
 light of it, but neither had the slightest objection to 
 
 offer to the hot baths at once prepared, and then 
 
 their suppers, taken that night in bed. They were 
 
 both badly shaken up. Frank felt worse in his mind, 
 
 because he had lost such a valuable gun, while Alec's 
 
 ribs were the spots that were for some days his ten- 
 
 derest places. 
 
 All sorts of rumors went out in reference to the 
 
 accident. The story had so enlarged that when it 
 
 reached the mission house it was that the boys had 
 
 been rescued in a dying condition and were still very 
 
 low, and so there was great sorrow over there, ever 
 
 so much that it was said that two sweet young ladie^^ 
 
 refused to be comforted. When Mrs. Ross hearc' 
 
 this her motherly heart w^as touched, and so, as the 
 
 wnnd had clianged and the cold north wind had 
 
 again made the ice safe for experienced Indian 
 
 drivers, two carioles were dispatched to the mission 
 
 for the aforesaid young ladies to come and spend a 
 
 week or two at Sagasta-weekee. The missionary, 
 
 with his dog-train in charge of an experienced 
 
 driver, also came over at the same time as did his 
 
 daughters. Ere they ar/ived the boys were up and 
 
 dressed in moccasins and dressing gowns, and so 
 
 were able to receive their very welcome visitors. 
 
 Mr, Hurlburt only remained to a ver}' early tea, and 
 
 then after an earnest prayer, in which there was a 
 
 339 
 
 V. 
 
 Iff! 
 
''\ 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 great deal of thanksgiving for their deHvcrance, he, 
 
 with Martin Papanekis, the driver, returned to his 
 
 home. 
 
 Of that happy week that followed we confess our 
 
 inability to write. That it was a very delightful one 
 
 was evident to all. The only sorrow that tinged its 
 
 brightness and bliss was the fact that soon the ice 
 
 would be all gone, the boats would be arriving, 
 
 and then the home trip of these three boys would 
 
 begin. 
 
 340 
 
 'I* 
 
 iir 
 
erance, he, 
 ned to his 
 
 -:¥<'■ 
 
 lonfess our 
 ightful one 
 ; tinged its 
 )on the ice 
 ; arriving, 
 loys would 
 
 i ' 
 
 
 f! 
 
 i i 
 
 I' 
 iv 
 
 i r 
 
 ■'i^ti 
 
■i ( 
 
 
 M 
 
 Rachel and Winnie, 
 
 if:, i 
 
IN THE Great Lone L^^ 
 
 / 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 The Arrival of the Spring Packet — Welcome Letters — Ar- 
 rangements for the Home-flitting — Sam's Raillery — Rachel 
 and Winnie at Sagasta-weekec — Happy Hours — Canoeing Ex- 
 cursions — The Cyclone — Young Excursionists Exposed to Its 
 Awful Power — The Narrow Escape — The Refuge of the Rock 
 — Napoleon, the Tame Bear, in Possession — Gun Signals — The 
 Happy Rescue. • 
 
 The arrival of the spring packet was, and still is, 
 an interesting event to the dwellers in those remote 
 northern regions. Not a letter or paper had reached 
 Sagasta-weekee since the Christmas packet, and 
 now it was June. And so when the first boats of the 
 Hudson Bay Company arrived from Red River and 
 Fort Garry, with supplies and great bundles of let- 
 ters and periodicals, there was great excitement. A 
 swift canoe was in readiness at the fort, and so it 
 was not l^ng ere the large number directed to Sa- 
 gasta-weekee were hurried over to the expectant 
 ones. They were quickly assorted, and then each 
 person with his own rushed of¥ to fairly devour the 
 contents. 
 
 "Faith," said Sam, as he eagerly seized his bun- 
 dle, "the sight of my blessed mother's handwriting 
 puts sand in my eyes and a lump in my throat. 
 Blessings on the darling ! May she live a thousand 
 years !" 
 
 Frank and Alec were equally as much interested, 
 
 but they controlled their feelings and left to the 
 
 341 
 

 i ' 
 
 k 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Huys 
 
 more demonstrative Sam these joyous ebullitions, 
 that were as natural as it was for him to breathe. 
 
 After Mr. Ross had perused a number of his let- 
 ters he quietly signalled to Mrs. Ross, and immedl 
 ately they both left the room. He had recei\'ed a 
 letter from Liverpool which informed him that a 
 very serious disease had begun to undermine the 
 constitution of Frank's father, and while no imme- 
 diate fatal results were expected, it was thought best 
 tliat Frank should return by the speediest route pos- 
 sible. In Frank's own letters from home all that 
 had been mentioned in reference to the matter was 
 that ''father was not quite up to his usual health, 
 and they would all be glad to have him return as 
 speedily as possible." Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Ross 
 said anything to the boys in reference to the matter 
 of their return until after the evening meal, when 
 they were all in the cozy study discussing the vari- 
 ous events that had been occurring in the outside 
 world during the last six months, and of which they 
 had all been in profound ignorance until that day. 
 
 Each boy had read his letters to the others, and 
 
 ogether they had been delighted with all the news 
 
 received, except that concerning Frank's father. 
 
 Then, for the first time, the matter of the return 
 
 home was seriously discussed. So happy had been 
 
 the months since their arrival, nearly a year before, 
 
 that even the discussion of the return trip had been 
 
 kept in the background as much as possible. But 
 
 now they were face to face with it, and sharp and 
 
 quick must be their decision if they would avail 
 
 themselves of the first opportunity for their depar- 
 
 342 
 
ovs 
 
 nillitions, 
 eathe. 
 )f his let- 
 l immed; 
 eceived a 
 m that a 
 •mine the 
 no ininie- 
 )Ught best 
 route pos- 
 le all that 
 latter was 
 lal health, 
 
 return as 
 Mrs. Ross 
 the matter 
 leal, when 
 r the vari- 
 lie outside 
 
 hich they 
 
 that day. 
 thers, and 
 
 the news 
 
 s father. 
 
 he return 
 had been 
 
 :ar before, 
 had been 
 
 lible. But 
 
 sharp and 
 uld avail 
 
 eir depar- 
 
 IN THE Great Lonk Land 
 
 ture. This would be by the return of these Hudson 
 Bay Company's boats to Red River. In them they 
 could travel as far as to Fort Garry. hVom that 
 point they would take the overland trail on the great 
 plains to St. Paul, and there, boarding the tlat-bot- 
 tomed steamers on the Mississippi, would once more 
 begin traveling in a civilized manner. 
 
 This plan was the one on which they finally set- 
 tled. It would be much more expeditious than the 
 long waiting for the sailing ship at York Factory, 
 and then returning by the Hudson Bay and North 
 Atlantic route. This decided, the next question was 
 how to make the best of the ten days that would 
 elapse ere the journey would begin. 
 
 "I'll wager my dog-whip against a pair of moc- 
 casins," said Sam, "that I know where a good part 
 of the time will be spent if a couple of young gen- 
 tlemen friends of mine can have their own way." 
 
 "All right," quickly responded Mrs. Ross, "for 
 although I consider a w^ager, at best, is but a fool's 
 argument, and so you may keep your whip, I will 
 accept your challenge and say that I know that here 
 at Sagasta-weekee is the spot where the two young 
 gentlemen you have in your mind will prefer to 
 spend the time until the home journey is com- 
 menced." 
 
 The sudden extinguishment of Sam's pet phrases 
 
 of "I'll wager" and "I'll bet" by the gentle Mrs. 
 
 Ross was much relished by Frank and Alec, who 
 
 well knew that they were the young gentlemen to 
 
 whom he referred, and on whom he was about to 
 
 turn his raillery. Generous, good-natured Sam 
 
 343 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 ► 
 
 
 
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 KiotDgraphic 
 
 Sdences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. US80 
 
 (716) S72-4S03 
 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 was quick to acknowledge the error of his ways, in 
 the use of those expressions from the betting world 
 that had, he hardly knew how, found their way into 
 i his vocabulary. Still, as he gracefully apologized 
 to Mrs. Ross there was a half-comical, half-per- 
 plexed look in his face, and so, as he never could 
 keep even his thoughts to himself, amidst the 
 laughter of all he blurted out : 
 
 "Sure I was thinking of the young ladies over the 
 w^ay there at the mission, and that it would be in 
 their sweet smiles my two chums would wish to be 
 basking." 
 
 "We have been thinking of them also," said Mrs. 
 Ross, "and before this, I imagine, the canoe has 
 reached the mission, with a cordial invitation for 
 both of them to come over, with as many others of 
 the family as can leave, and spend the time with us 
 until the boats start for Red River." 
 
 "Hurrah!" shouted Frank and Alec in chorus, 
 and ere they seemed aware of what they were doing, 
 in the exuberance of their boyish delight, they had 
 hold of Mrs. Ross and were gyrating with her 
 around the room, to the great amusement of all, 
 especially of Roderick and Wenonah, who speedily 
 joined in the sport. 
 
 This being settled, the next thing was to talk over 
 the preparations essential for the return trip. So 
 many and varied were the trophies of the chase, as 
 well as Indian curios that each of the boys wished 
 to take back to the home land, that orders were at 
 once given to the carpenters for the requisite number 
 of large casettes. This is the name given in that 
 
 344 
 
fS 
 
 vays, in 
 y world 
 /ay into 
 )logized 
 lalf-per- 
 ;r could 
 dst the 
 
 over the 
 Id be in 
 sh to be 
 
 lid Mrs. 
 noe has 
 tion for 
 (thers of 
 with us 
 
 chorus, 
 e doing, 
 hey had 
 nth her 
 t of all, 
 speedily 
 
 alk over 
 •ip. So 
 base, as 
 wished 
 were at 
 number 
 in that 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 region to water-tight boxes made out of the spruce 
 lumber of the country. Indian women also were 
 engaged to prepare the requisite traveling outfits for 
 both the water and prairie routes. Then they all 
 settled down to a loving talk over the happy months 
 of the past and the outlook of the future. Speaking 
 for the three boys, Frank said : 
 
 "We can never sufficiently thank Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ross for this memorable year. It has been an edu- 
 cation to us all that will, we are sure, be helpful to 
 us in years to come. We shall not only, in the many 
 trophies of these happy and sometimes exciting 
 days, have before us in our different homes the 
 tangible reminders of our glorious sports and ad- 
 ventures, but engiii^ed in our memories will be the 
 many remembrances of the unfailing love and indul- 
 gent sympathy you have ever shown toward us. We 
 are all very grateful to you both, and, while natu- 
 rally pleased at the prospect of soon being with our 
 loved ones across the sea, we are very sorry that we 
 shall soon have to say good-bye." 
 
 This touching and nicely worded speech of 
 Frank's was too much for tender-hearted Wenonah 
 and Roderick, and so they burst out into weeping 
 and hurriedly left the room. Sam seemed to be 
 suddenly attacked with a bad cold and blew his nose 
 vigorously, and for once had nothing to say. Alec, 
 more able to control himself, added a few kindly, 
 grateful words to these so well put by Frank. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ross were deeply stirred, and in 
 reply stated the happiness that had come to them in 
 having had within their home three young gentle- 
 
 
 
 
'I 
 
 tli 
 
 
 h' 
 
 ! ( 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 men who had ever been a source of pleasure and in- 
 spiration to them. Kindly were the words of coun- 
 sel given them for their guidance in the harder 
 battles of life before them — to be manly, self-reliant, 
 and ever honest and true. ''Remember this," added 
 Mr. Ross, "upright, honest boys will make the true 
 men the world needs." 
 
 The memory of that evening long lingered with 
 them, and in after years, in some fierce moral con- 
 flicts, in which they each had to wear a face as of 
 flint against temptation, the words of wisdom there 
 heard enabled them to triumph against the fiercest 
 attacks. "A word in season, how good it is !" 
 
 Early the next morning the boys were up, and 
 after breakfast and prayers they began assc/ting 
 their various collections gathered, for skillful In- 
 dian hands to carefully pack up for the long, rough, 
 journey that lay between them and their distant 
 homes. A month or so before this they had parted 
 with their dogs. Kinesasis had taken them all out 
 to the distant island, where in idleness they could 
 spend the few brilliant summer months, ere another 
 winter would call them back to their work again. 
 The boys had found it hard to part with the faithful 
 animals. Alec especially, who had, in his Scottish 
 nature, formed a great attachment to his gallant 
 four that had found a warm place in his heart by the 
 way they had secured for him his victory in that 
 memorable race, was almost disconsolate. Two or 
 three times had he secured a couple of Indians and 
 a good canoe, and had gone over to the island for a 
 
 romp with them. 
 
 34^5 
 
^ AC 
 
 1»f 
 
 )YS 
 
 e and in- 
 of coun- 
 e harder 
 i-reliant, 
 5," added 
 : the true 
 
 ;red with 
 oral con- 
 ace as of 
 loni there 
 le fiercest 
 ;!" 
 
 I up, and 
 assc/ting 
 illful In- 
 ig, rough 
 r distant 
 id parted 
 m all out 
 ley could 
 e another 
 rk again, 
 e faithful 
 
 Scottish 
 s gallant 
 art by the 
 y in that 
 
 Two or 
 dians and 
 and for a 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 The friends from the mission arrived in the after- 
 noon, and were cordially welcomed. They had ac- 
 cepted Mrs. Ross's invitation in the spirit in which 
 it had been so genuinely given. In such a land there 
 is but little of the artificial and conventional. 
 Friendship is true and genuine, and loving words 
 have but one meaning. Frank and Alec greeted 
 Rachel and Winnie in Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou fashion. 
 They did not know whether to be pleased or sorry 
 when they saw tears in the bright eyes of these 
 young ladies, when the news was told them of the 
 speedy departure of the three young gentlemen to 
 their distant homes across the sea. Alec said he 
 was rather proud of seeing the tears in Winnie's 
 eyes, as it made him more than ever think that she 
 did really tliink something of him, and he would try 
 by hard and steady effort in the coming years to 
 prove himself worthy of her love. Frank, more 
 open and impulsive, when he saw the tears in the 
 eyes of his beloved Rachel, could not restrain his 
 own, and was visibly affected. Sam, who had been 
 an interested spectator of the arrival and the various 
 greetings, must of course make a few remarks. 
 
 "Look at Alec there," said he. "The self-opinion- 
 ated young Scotchman! He thinks so much of 
 himself that he is pleased to see a sweet young lady 
 shedding some tears for him." 
 
 This was rather severe on the part of Sam, but he 
 
 could not bear to see anyone in tears, and so he was 
 
 a little extra-critical just now. His keen eyes had 
 
 also narrowly watched Frank, and as he saw the 
 
 tears in his eyes and noticed his visible emotion, even 
 
 347 
 
 ii I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
Winter Adventures of Threie Boys 
 
 iriir 
 
 , 
 
 ;i 
 
 fun-loving Sam was touched, and he impulsively 
 exclaimed: 
 
 "Frank, my darling, I love you for your great big 
 heart. But my feelings are all mixed, for why 
 should a young gentleman, who has just kissed his 
 sweetheart, be after weeping and giving redness of 
 eyes to the rest of us?" 
 
 Then, with a merry laugh, he roused himself out 
 of these dumps, as he called them, and exclaimed: 
 "Frank, my boy, here is a conundrum for you : Of 
 which of the venerable men of the past does your 
 conduct remind me?" 
 
 Various guesses were made, but none were con- 
 sidered satisfactory, and so Sam was called upon to 
 solve his own riddle. His answer was clever and 
 characteristic. "Well," said he, "when reading the 
 blessed book my mother gave me I found a portion 
 which said, 'And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up 
 his voice, and wept.' Why he should have shed any 
 tears at such an interesting transaction bothered me. 
 But now I think I get a glimmering idea in reference 
 to it, since I have seen the events of to-day." 
 
 "Sam, Sam," said Mrs. Ross, who had heard this 
 quaint reference to the old patriarch, "why do you 
 thus bring in such names in your pleasantries ?" 
 
 "I don't know," replied the irrepressible Sam, 
 "unless it is that it is in my blood; for one of the 
 last things I heard my mother say, ere I left home, 
 was that, to judge by the thinness of the milk fur- 
 nished by the farmer who supplied us, he much re- 
 minded her of Pharaoh's daughter, as he took a 
 
 profit out of the water !" 
 
 348 
 
 
YS 
 
 Dulsively 
 
 jreat big 
 [or why 
 issed his 
 dness of 
 
 nself out 
 claimed : 
 ou : Of 
 oes your 
 
 ^ere con- 
 upon to 
 ever and 
 iding the 
 1 portion 
 Ufted up 
 shed any 
 ered me. 
 •eference 
 
 >y 
 
 eard this 
 / do you 
 les? 
 
 )le Sam, 
 le of the 
 ft home, 
 nilk fur- 
 nuch re- 
 i took a 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 "Chestnuts," said Alec. "I have heard that 
 before." 
 
 It was new to the majority, and the droll way in 
 which Sam gave it put everybody in a good humor, 
 and a very happy, delightful time was spent by them 
 all. 
 
 . Rapidly sped on the few days that intervened be- 
 tween the arrival of the packet and the return trip 
 of the boats to Red River. These Hudson Bay 
 Company's boats had come loaded with furs caught 
 the previous winter, which would be sent down to 
 York Factory with vast quantities from other parts 
 of the great country, and from that fort shipped to 
 England. Then, loaded with goods for the next 
 winter's trade, the boats would return to the dif- 
 ferent posts from which they had come. With the 
 exception of canoes, they afforded the only means 
 of travel in the summer time in those regions. 
 
 Mr. Ross had gone over to the fort at Norway 
 House, and had obtained from the gentlemen there 
 in charge permission to send Frank, Alec, and Sam 
 in these boats as far as Fort Garry. He also decided 
 to accompany them that far in their journey, and see 
 that everything was secured necessary for their long 
 trip across the prairies to St. Paul. 
 
 As the weather had now become very pleasant 
 
 for canoeing, several very delightful outings were 
 
 arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Ross for the young folks. 
 
 The boys had become expert canoeists, and in the 
 
 long gloamings of the lengthened days in June, in 
 
 those high north lands, they had many memorable 
 
 excursions. 
 
 349 
 
 r- 
 
m 
 
 h I 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 As the Indian women and maidens are all experts 
 in handling the paddle, so it becomes a point of 
 honor among the ladies, young and old, in the Hud- 
 son Bay fort and mission to be able to, at least in 
 a measure, imitate the dusky, bronzed maidens of 
 the wigwams. Mr. Hurlburt had wisely trained his 
 daughters in this accomplishi.ient. Living as they 
 did, where there were really no walks excep*^ the 
 trails that immediately led into the primeval f )rests, 
 where lurking wild beasts were at times so bold that 
 they came up close to the dwellings of the villagers 
 it was really dangerous to go far from home. Canoe- 
 ing thus became the great summer recreation and 
 amusement. And for the upper part of the body 
 there is no better exercise. The result was that 
 Rachel and Winnie were both skillful and fearless 
 canoeists, and very much enjoyed this, which has 
 well been called "the poetry of motion." 
 
 Mr. Ross prided himself on his beautiful, graceful 
 canoes for the summer time, about as much as he 
 loved his dogs in the long winter months. The In- 
 dians, knowing his love for their graceful canoes, 
 had presented him with «iome great beauties, on 
 which they had exercised all their ingenuity and 
 skill in construction, and their artistic taste in orna- 
 mentation. These were all now in much demand, 
 and merry and happy indeed was the whole party, as 
 perhaps in six or eight canoes they started from the 
 little land-locked harbor of Sagasta-weekee. Frank 
 and Rachel were company enough for one of the 
 prettiest canoes, while the same could be said of Alec 
 
 and Winnie in another not les5 handsome. 
 
 350 
 
^s 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 experts 
 )oint of 
 le Hud- 
 least in 
 dens of 
 ined his 
 as they 
 :ep^ the 
 f )rests, 
 old that 
 illagers 
 Canoe- 
 ion and 
 tie body 
 ^as that 
 fearless 
 lich has 
 
 s^raceful 
 
 1 as he 
 
 The In- 
 
 canoes, 
 
 ties, on 
 
 ity and 
 
 in orna- 
 
 lemand, 
 
 arty, as 
 
 rom the 
 
 Frank 
 
 of the 
 
 of Alec 
 
 To the last, Sam's joy was to have with him the 
 little children, Wenonah and Roderick. To him 
 was assigned a large, safe canoe, and a couple of 
 trusty Indians to aid in the paddling. The rest of 
 the party went out more or less frequently, as It best 
 suited them. So much had to be done to complete 
 the arrangements for the journey that often tlic 
 young folks went out alone on their joyous trips. 
 
 One afternoon Mr. Ross was a little troubled, and 
 at first seemed inclined to ask all to give up their 
 excursions on the water for that day and amuse 
 themselves at home. His trusty barometer, that had 
 stood so steady for fine settled weather for days, was 
 now acting in a most erratic manner. A change of 
 some kind was evident, and so Sam and the children 
 did not venture out. Still, as the sky was cloudless 
 and the blue waters of the island-studded lake looked 
 so peaceful and quiet, he did not prevent Frank and 
 Alec, with the young ladies, from venturing out, but 
 gave them some words of caution and then let the 
 happy canoeists embark, and saw them strike out in 
 unison as away they glided over the little sun-kissed 
 waves. For a little while the music of their laughter 
 and song fell on the ears of those who had gone to see 
 tliem off. When they had disappeared among the 
 beautiful fir-clad islands the spectators returned to 
 the house, and were soon busy in their various duties. 
 
 Crash! Boom! What is that? 
 
 Too well was it known by Mr. Ross and those who 
 hod lived in that land. It was a dreadful thunder- 
 bolt, the precursor of the fierce cyclone, the sudden 
 
 storm that is coming upon them at the rate of some- 
 
 351 
 
 l! 
 
^.l\ : 
 
 Winter Adventures or Three Bovs 
 
 thing near a hundred miles an hour. Worst of all, 
 four young people are out in it, in a couple of frail 
 canoes, and who can tell what may happen to them 
 when in its full fury it bursts upon them? 
 
 And how fares it with the young folks about whom 
 there is now naturally so much anxiety at Sagasta- 
 weekee ? With laughter and song we saw them dash 
 away, as under their skillful strokes their light 
 canoes, like sea birds, glided along over the peaceful 
 waters. Now, drenched and half dazed by the blind- 
 ing glare of the terrific storm, they are battling for 
 life in a very maelstrom of waters. Suddenly had the 
 storm struck them. They had remarked the strange 
 actions and the frightened cries of the birds, that all 
 seemed hurrying in one direction. Then they had 
 observed the dead calm that had settled down on 
 everything. Even the aspen leaves on the trees, on 
 the islands along which they glided, for once were 
 ominously still. Every wavelet on the waters hushed 
 itself asleep, and the whole surface of the lake was as 
 a sea of polished glass. 
 
 Rachel was the first to take alarm from this deadly 
 calm, and she exclaimed : 
 
 "This is unnatural, and means danger. Let us 
 return at once." 
 
 Quickly they turned their canoes, and now only a 
 few yards apart they began the race before the com- 
 ing storm, although as yet it had not revealed itself. 
 The first intimation they had of its approach was the 
 rapidly rising wind, which fortunately arose directly 
 behind them. It was at first different from any or- 
 dinary breeze. It seemed to come along like a thing 
 
 352 
 
 4!! 
 
t of all, 
 of frail 
 to them 
 
 it whom 
 >agasta- 
 sm clash 
 ir light 
 peaceful 
 le blind- 
 ling for 
 had the 
 
 strange 
 , that all 
 hey had 
 lown on 
 trees, on 
 ice were 
 
 hushed 
 e was as 
 
 deadly 
 
 Let us 
 
 V only a 
 le com- 
 d itself, 
 was the 
 directly 
 any or- 
 a thing 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 of life, now catching up a handful of water and scat- 
 tering it like sand, then bounding up in wanton sport, 
 and then once more trailing on the waters and mak- 
 ing it ripple in lines or lanes, as in mad sport it now 
 more rapidly hurried along. 
 
 Then, as they looked back over their shoulders to 
 the northwest, they saw coming up the cyclonic cloud. 
 It was dark as midnight, ragged at its edges, and 
 above it was a rim of sky so green and so unnatural 
 that our brave young people for a moment almost 
 recoiled with terror at the sight. 
 
 *Taddle for that island !" shouted Rachel. "No 
 canoe -^an live in such a storm as will soon be on us." 
 
 Hardly had she uttered these words ere there shot 
 out a thunderbolt so vivid that they were all nearly 
 blinded by its intense brightness. It seemed to fill the 
 whole heavens around them with its dazzling white- 
 ness, and then as suddenly it was gone. 
 
 "One, two, three, four," began Rachel, who, al- 
 though paddling with wondrous effectiveness, was 
 calm and collected. 
 
 "O, don't stop to count," called Winnie, who was 
 like the rest desperately yet cautiously using her 
 paddle. "It would be better to pray than do that." 
 
 "We'll do that shortly, but paddle for dear life 
 now, and don't interrupt the count. Where was I ? 
 Ten, eleven, twelve — " and at eighteen there came 
 the crash of the thunder of that lightning flash that 
 had so nearly blinded them. It was as though a 
 thousand great cannon had simultaneously been fired. 
 
 "Hurrah!" shouted the brave girl the instant it 
 
 died away. "We have two minutes and a half yet 
 23 353 
 
 ■\ 
 
 I 
 
WiNTKR Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 w 
 
 ere the cyclone reaches us. In two minutes we must 
 reach the otlier side of that high rocky point, and in 
 the remaining half minute we must get on the lee side 
 of the great sheltering rocks. Courage all, and let 
 every stroke tell !" 
 
 And there was need for courage, for already the 
 white caps were around them, and behind them the 
 waters hissed and shrieked like demons let loose and 
 howling for their victims. The heavens were rapidly 
 being overwhelmed with the blackness of darkness. 
 But here is the point! Skillfully the two girls, who 
 were in the stern of the canoes, steered them sharply 
 around, and the strong strokes of Frank and Alec 
 did the rest, and they were in the shelter of the rock. 
 But it would only be safe fcr an instant. 
 
 "Now all spring for your lives!" again cried 
 Rachel ; "and let everything go, Frank, but your gun 
 and some cartridges." 
 
 "Can we not save the canoes ?" shouted Alec. 
 
 "No, no !" cried Rachel. "It is our lives here only 
 that we must think about, for the sake of those who 
 even now, perhaps, are mourning us as dead." 
 
 The shelter of the rocks was within a few flying 
 bounds, and they were safe. It was an enormous 
 rock that towered up some scores of feet, and on the 
 lee side, where our young folks had found shelter, 
 hung over for perhaps twenty feet. Fortunate in- 
 deed were they to have reached such a refuge. 
 
 A few seconds later, when, with backs against the 
 mighty rock, they were in a measure recovering from 
 the violent exertion of that fearful struggle, Winnie 
 cried out, "O, where are the canoes?" 
 
 354 
 
s 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 re must 
 
 and in 
 
 lee side 
 
 and let 
 
 ady the 
 lem the 
 ose and 
 rapidly 
 irkness. 
 ris, who 
 sharply 
 nd Alec 
 he rock. 
 
 in cried 
 our gun 
 
 ec. 
 
 ere only 
 
 ose who 
 
 > 
 
 w flying 
 lormous 
 d on the 
 
 shelter, 
 nate in- 
 e. 
 
 linst the 
 ng from 
 
 Winnie 
 
 Not a vestige of them was ever after seen. They 
 had heen caught up in that cyclone that tame thun- 
 dering on so close hehind that in the hricf seconds in 
 which the young people had run frt)m them to the 
 rock they had heen picked up and whirled into 
 oblivion. 
 
 "It is well," said Alec, "I did not stop to try and 
 save the one I was in. But why, Rachel, did you ask 
 Frank to bring along his gun and ammunition ?" 
 
 "You will soon see," said the brave, thoughtful 
 girl, "that they will be worth more to us and our 
 anxious friends than the canoes." 
 
 In the meantime, the storm in passing the point 
 had spread out over the whole place, and the rain, 
 which was now descending in torrents, began to be 
 very uncomfortable. A rim of light was still in the 
 distance, and with the now almost incessant flashings 
 of the lightning it was possible to grope around for a 
 dry and more sheltered spot under the great rock. 
 Alec, who had volunteered to go out and try to find a 
 drier place, and who was now groping along in one 
 direction as the lightning lit up his path, was heard 
 to suddenly let out a cry of alarm and then almost 
 immediately after burst into a hearty peal of laughter. 
 
 "What in the world have you found in such a place 
 to cause you to act like this?" said Frank, who was 
 really annoyed at the merriment of Alec after such a 
 narrow escape. 
 
 "Come here and you will see," was the only reply 
 
 they could secure from Alec, who was acting in a 
 
 manner so strange and unaccountable. 
 
 So, waiting for the lightning flashes to enable 
 
 355 
 
 U' 
 
 «; 
 
;ui=-' 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 them to pick their way over the rough stones under 
 the sheltered place, they cautiously moved toward 
 him. As they came within a few feet and were now 
 in the gloom, waiting for another flash to light up the 
 way, Alec said : 
 
 ''Don't be frightened at what you will see. It is 
 only old Napoleon, and he is as frightened as he can 
 be, and seems glad to have me with him." 
 
 The sight that met them as the next vivid flash 
 blazed out was indeed enough to try older and 
 stronger nerves, for there was Alec with his back 
 against the dry rock and one of his arms around the 
 neck of an enormous bear. 
 
 "Don't be alarmed," shouted Alec. "It is old Na- 
 poleon, and he is more frightened by the cyclone than 
 any of us." 
 
 "How do you know it is Napoleon?" asked 
 Winnie, who was noted for her extreme cautiousness. 
 
 "Know him ? Why, of course I know him, and he 
 was as pleased as an affectionate dog to see me. And 
 see, here are the two brass rings I put in his little 
 round ears last winter at the fort, some time before 
 Christmas." 
 
 This was convincing proof that their comrade was 
 a tame, harmless bear, and so without any more 
 alarm they all crowded into what proved to be a dry 
 and safe retreat from the fearful storm that still 
 raged outside. 
 
 "Bears know a thing or two," said Alec, "and so 
 
 old Nap in selecting this spot was quite confident that 
 
 it could stand a cyclone." 
 
 Meantime the storm continued to rage with awfui 
 
 356 
 
 I ( 
 
)YS 
 
 les under 
 i toward 
 vere now 
 ;ht up the 
 
 ee. It is 
 as he can 
 
 ivid flash 
 
 (Ider and 
 
 his back 
 
 round the 
 
 s old Na- 
 tion© than 
 
 ^" asked 
 tiousness. 
 m, and he 
 me. And 
 his little 
 ne before 
 
 nrade was 
 
 any more 
 
 D be a dry 
 
 that still 
 
 :, "and so 
 fident that 
 
 vith awful 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 fury, but sheltered by the rocks they were safe from 
 its rav ^es. All they could do was to patiently wait 
 until its fury was spent. So they sang some sweet 
 hymns, and the girls gave some reminiscences of 
 previous storms and adventures. 
 
 As soon as the storm began to abate Rachel said : 
 "I think, Frank, it is time you began to use your 
 gun." 
 
 "What, would you have him shoot this affectionate 
 old bear ?" asked Alec. 
 
 A merry laugh burst from the lips of both of the 
 girls, and Winnie asked him if he had any idea of the 
 reason why Rachel so urged Frank to save his gun 
 and ammunition, even if everything else should be 
 lost. 
 
 "Not the slightest idea," was his answer. 
 
 "Well," replied Rachel, "as the fury of the storm 
 is about spent, it is time to be beginning to explain 
 the mystery. And so now suppose you take the gun 
 and go out on the beach and fire three times in quick 
 succession." 
 
 Frank and Alec at once comprehended the riddle, 
 and laughed at their own stupidity. The firing of the 
 gun would bring their rescuers speedily to them. 
 
 Unfortunately for these young people, their re- 
 treat was too distant from Sagasta-weekee for the 
 report of their gun to reach that place. However, 
 just as soon as Mr. Ross saw the storm approaching 
 he summoned every available man, and had boats in 
 readiness to begin the search as soon as it was pos- 
 sible to risk the angry waves which a cyclone of this 
 description stirs up. For at least three hours they 
 
 357 
 
""■MiAn-fci^,.^, 
 
 n I 
 
 f 
 
 !.' i 
 
 iiV'i 
 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 had to wait ere they could make a start. Then in the 
 still angry waters they shoved out their boats, and in 
 different directions started on the search. 
 
 In the meantime let us again go back to the young 
 people in their strange place of refuge. Noting the 
 increasing brightness, as the black clouds were now 
 rapidly rolling away, Rachel suggested tliat three 
 more shots be fired. In a few minutes more they 
 were repeated, and soon after, as the rain had now 
 nearly ceased, the whole party came out from their 
 gloomy cave retreat. On every side were evidences 
 of the terrific power of the cyclone. Great trees had 
 been torn up by the roots, while others had been 
 snapped off, leaving the stumps standing from 
 twenty to fifty feet high. 
 
 Apart from the sad evidences of the storm, every- 
 thing was soon simply delightful. In those high 
 latitudes the June evenings are very long. Here was 
 now one of wondrous beauty. The angry waves were 
 quickly dying away into pleasant ripples. The sun 
 was setting behind some lovely clouds of gold and 
 crimson, and the air, purified by the cyclone, seemed 
 exhilarating in the extreme. 
 
 "Keep up your firing, Frank," said Rachel, "for 
 doubtless there are boats out long ere this, looking 
 for what is left of us." 
 
 "Listen!" said Winnie, who, being wonderfully 
 gifted in hearing, had been the first to detect an 
 answering gun. "One, two, three, four. Fire 
 again !" she cried. "They have heard, but are uncer- 
 tain as to the direction." 
 
 Again the three reports of the gun sounded in 
 
 358 
 
 iiii 
 
YS 
 
 m in the 
 3, and in 
 
 e young 
 ting the 
 ere now 
 at three 
 )re they 
 lad now 
 ►m their 
 /idences 
 ees had 
 ad been 
 2^ from 
 
 every- 
 se high 
 ere was 
 ^es were 
 rhe sun 
 old and 
 seemed 
 
 el, "for 
 looking 
 
 lerfully 
 tect an 
 . Fire 
 ; uncer- 
 
 ided in 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 quick succession, and soon there was the answer of 
 two guns, which meant, "We hear you now and will 
 soon be with you." 
 
 To Mr. Ross's great relief and satisfaction, it was 
 the boat, manned by four oarsmen, of which he him- 
 self had charge that was the first to hear the firing 
 of Frank's gun. Some of his Indian crew had de- 
 tected reports before he had, but nothing would 
 satisfy him until the welcome sound fell on his own 
 ears. 
 
 "Pull, men !" he fairly shouted, "and let us see how 
 many of those loved ones have survived that storm. 
 If any of them are drowned, you need not take me 
 home." 
 
 Not a man in that boat, white or Indian, needed 
 any urging. Such was the love they all had for those 
 young people that gladly would any one of them have 
 risked his own life for theirs. 
 
 Around the next point, now not far away, again 
 rang out the three reports, and soon a most welcome 
 sight greeted the eyes of Mr. Ross and his crew. For 
 there, distinctly visible on the shore, were four happy 
 young people waving their welcomes. 
 
 "Thank God!" reverently said Mr. Ross. "They 
 are all safe." And, strong man that he was, he wept 
 like a child. Other eyes than his were moist also. 
 With an effort he checked his deep emotion, and was 
 so able to control himself that ere the shore was 
 reached he was calm and collected. 
 
 When within hailing distance hearty words of con- 
 gratulation rapidly passed back and forward. Such 
 
 was the nature of the shore that a good place where 
 
 359 
 
 
M 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 they could step into the boat from the shore was not 
 easily found, and so the men at the oars rowed up on 
 the sandy beach as far as they could, and then run- 
 ning out three oars made a walk that answered very 
 well. 
 
 Good Mr. Ross was so wild with delight at the fact 
 of the preservation of these young folks, whom he 
 loved so well, that he was the first to rush out and 
 try and gather them all in his arms. 
 
 In the excitement of the rescue Napoleon, the tame 
 bear, had been quite forgotten, but now he acted as 
 though he had been doing his share of thinking, and 
 had come to the conclusion that if his liberty was to 
 be associated with cyclones, he had had enough of 
 it; and so, just as Mr. Ross and the young people 
 were about to go on board the boat, he deliberately 
 came marching out of the cave and, carefully balan- 
 cing himself, walked up on the oars and took a 
 comfortable position in the boat. 
 
 His unexpected appearance very much startled the 
 men, and there was a general scramble for guns. 
 Alec, quick to see his danger, rushed up, and taking 
 a position beside Napoleon forbade any shooting, 
 and speedily made some very necessary explanations, 
 much to the relief and amusement of all. 
 
 It did not take long to return to Sagasta-weekee, 
 and great indeed were the rejoicings there. 
 
 Soon the other search boats returned, and the 
 
 anxieties of all were thus speedily relieved. After 
 
 the recital of the story of their narrow escape an 
 
 impressive thanksgiving service was held, and every 
 
 heart was full of gratitude for their deliverance. 
 
 360 
 
>YS 
 
 was not 
 ed up on 
 ben run- 
 red very 
 
 : the fact 
 rhom he 
 out and 
 
 :he tame 
 acted as 
 ng, and 
 ' was to 
 )ugh of 
 : people 
 t)erately 
 r balan- 
 took a 
 
 tied the 
 r guns, 
 taking 
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 lations, 
 
 veekee, 
 
 tid the 
 After 
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IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Homeward Bound — Farewell to Sagasta-weekee — Old Nor- 
 way House — Sam's Clever Surmisings — A Glad Surprise for 
 Frank and Alec — Sam's Well-deserved Ducking — A Glorious 
 Evening — The Early Call — Just One More Sweet "Good-bye" 
 — "All Aboard!" — On Great Lake Winnipeg — Sam's Success- 
 ful Shot at a Bear — Red River — First Glimpse of the Prairies — 
 Fort Garry — The Bells of St. Boniface — The Long Trip Across 
 the Plains— The Exciting Buffalo Hunt— Saint Paul's— Still On 
 by Likes and Rivers — Montreal — On Board Ship— The Ocean 
 Voyage — Liverpool — Home at Last. 
 
 The start was made from Sagasta-weekee in time 
 for the boats to go that afternoon as far as to the old 
 Norway House fort, where the mighty Nelson River 
 begins its career. Here for scores of years it has 
 been the custom for the boats to camp for at least 
 one night and make their final preparations for the 
 long trip of the whole length of Lake Winnipeg to 
 the mouth of the Red River. 
 
 To the great delight of the boys, some extra boats 
 were sent in with the Red River brigade, and so they 
 had Big Tom as their guide, Martin Papanekis as 
 their cook, and Soquatum as bowman. 
 
 These boats are each propelled by eight sturdy 
 
 oarsmen. The work of rowing all day at these heavy 
 
 oars is very laborious, and so there is great c'elight 
 
 when the wind is favorable and a mast can be placed 
 
 in position and a great square sail hauled up into 
 
 the favoring breeze. Then the voyage is a joyous 
 
 holiday. What is most dreaded is a long, continuous 
 
 361 
 
'f^^-l-k 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 fc'i' I 
 
 f i ^ 
 1 J 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 head wind, against whicli they can neither sail nor 
 use the oars with good effect. 
 
 Early in the forenoon on the day of starting the 
 young gentlemen said farewell to their good friends 
 of the mission, Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt and the sweet 
 young ladies, Kachel and Winnie. It is almost need- 
 less to add that both Frank and Alec declared them- 
 selves as the most devoted of lovers, and vowed that 
 in a few years they would return and claim them as 
 their brides. We must leave time to tell the results 
 of these >outhful loves, which had begun under such 
 happy and romantic auspices. 
 
 To the surprise of the young gentlemen, Mrs. Ross 
 and the children left Sagasta-weekee at the same time 
 as did Mr. Hurlburt and his family, and so were lot 
 there to see them off when they left a few hours later. 
 
 So thoroughly and well had tlie packing been done 
 that not much time was lost after the arrival of the 
 boats before everything was on board. The kindly 
 farewells to all were said, and they were off. Sam 
 could not help shouting back to Pasche, as he stood 
 on a rock with a sorrowful face : 
 
 "Don't set any more traps for moose bulls, 
 Pasche!" 
 
 "No, mon gargon, I have had enough of that 
 work," he shouted, amid the laughter of the other 
 servants. 
 
 With waving of handkerchiefs and shouts of "Bon 
 voyage" and "Good-bye," Sagasta-weekee was left 
 behind. There were tears in the eyes ot the lads who 
 had spent within its comfortable w^alls such an event- 
 ful year. They had grown much, not only physic- 
 
 362 
 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 ally, but there had been development mentally and 
 morally that would tell for good in the oncoming 
 years. To have been under the guidance of such a 
 couple as Mr. and Mr. Ross in such a formative 
 period of their young lives was of incalculable value. 
 Happy are the boys who have such guardians ; hap- 
 pier still if their own parents are of this splendid 
 class. 
 
 As the wind sprang up from the north the mast, 
 which had been securely tied to the outside of the 
 boat, was quickly placed in position, and the sail was 
 soon doing its work. Mr. Ross and the lads had 
 comfortable seats arranged for them in the stern of 
 the boat. Just behind them stood Big Tom, skillfully 
 using a great oar as a rudder. Wild ducks and a few 
 geese flew by, but there was now no time for shoot- 
 ing. On they sped, and it was easy to observe from 
 the quiet yet frequent consultations in the Indian 
 language that passed between Mr. Ross and Big Tom 
 that there was something more than the sail in the 
 wind. Sam, who had picked up quite a knowledge of 
 Indian, was the first to suspect what was before them, 
 and so he blurted out : 
 
 "Faith, I believe Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou is going to 
 be repeated." 
 
 "What do you mean ?" asked Frank. 
 
 "Mean, is it, you ask? Why, I mean that I fancy 
 some other hands than Martin's will pour the tea 
 for us to-night." 
 
 "Do stop talking riddles, Sam," said Alec, "and 
 
 tell us what your palaver is all about." 
 
 "Well," replied the incorrigible tease, "I fancy 
 
 363 
 
 Kj 
 
p< , 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 !• t 
 
 that, if you young f,entlemen are getting sick of hav- 
 ing pledged vo'— -^Ives to eternal loyalty, or, in other 
 words, pligl. . your troths either to others, as the 
 book says, you will both have a chance to tell the fair 
 damsels to their faces ere the sun goes down." 
 
 "Sam!" they both shouted, "what do you mean?" 
 
 This explosion on their part caused Mr. Ross to 
 turn from his consultation with Big Tom. In re- 
 sponse rather to his looks than anything he uttered 
 Sam said: 
 
 "I have been trying to get it into the thick heads 
 of these two boys that there is an agreeable con- 
 spiracy on foot for their mutual consolation and edi- 
 fication, but for the life of me I believe they are as 
 much in the dark as when I began." 
 
 "Chist!" ("Look!") cried Big 'Tom. "Akota 
 wigwam !" ("There is the tent !") 
 
 These words of Big Tom caused everything else 
 to be forgotten, and so even Mr. Ross, who was 
 vastly amused that Sam had been so observant, did 
 not make any reply to the lad's remarks. 
 
 Rapidly they sped along, and now soon to all was 
 visible a large tent and a number of persons on the 
 distant sandy beach. Sam keenly watched his com- 
 rades, and saw their cheeks flush and their eyes get 
 moist as they caught the sight of white handkerchiefs 
 waving from the hands of those to whom they had 
 become so deeply attached. 
 
 "It is too good to be true," said Frank, as he 
 
 gripped Alec with one hand, while with the other he 
 
 was waving his handkerchief wildly in response to 
 
 those of the loved ones on the shore. 
 
 364 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Onward sped the boat, and soon all were recog- 
 nized. Here they found all who had left early in the 
 morning — Mrs. Ross and the children and all the 
 mission friends. What a delightful surprise, and 
 how happy they all were that it had been such a suc- 
 cess ! Poor Sam, the only one to see through it, was 
 the only one to come to grief. He had not patience 
 enough to wait until three or four of the big oars 
 were lashed together to serve as a rude gangway on 
 which to walk safely to the shore, but seeing the 
 ease with which some of the agile Indians ran out on 
 a single oar, in spite of the rocking of the boat, he 
 boldly tried to do the same, and ere he knew where 
 lie was he was down in the water and nearly drowned 
 by a retreating wave under the boat. Quickly was 
 he rescued, but he was completely drenched to the 
 skin. He was somewhat bruised, but was not long 
 the worse for the ace* ^ent. But as he was quickly 
 hurried oflf to the shel er of the tent and dry clothes 
 secured for him he admitted that he deserved the 
 ducking, as he had purposely hurried ashore to make 
 a few remarks when the young lovers should meet 
 again. 
 
 And so Frank had the joy of again meeting his 
 Rachc? and Alec his sweet Winnie, and a delightful 
 visit they had with them while Sam was having his 
 bruised body well rtibbed in sturgeon oil by a stal- 
 wart Indian. This is the Indian's drastic remedy 
 for such a mishap, and a good one it is. Very de- 
 lightfully passed that long June evening. It was 
 full eleven o'clock ere the gorgeous colors all died 
 
 away in the west and the stars one by one came out 
 
 36s . 
 
 I 
 
 ^ 
 
 1 
 
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 f 
 
 i ' *: 
 
 M . 
 
 ,f ; 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 in their quiet beauty and decked as with diamonds 
 that peerless northern sky. After a time the auroras 
 flashed and blazed in quiet beauty. To-night they 
 scemetl not as warriors bent on carnage, but as 
 troops of lovers tripping in joyous unison to some 
 sweet strains of music unheard by mortal ears. 
 
 Amid such surroundings sat and talked this happy 
 group. It was, they well knew, their last evening 
 together, and so amid its joyousness there was a 
 tinge of sorrow and regret. As the evening dark- 
 ened into night they had all gathered near the great 
 brilliant camp fire, which is always welcome and 
 agreeable even in June nights, no matter how warm 
 has been the day. 
 
 After the delightful events and incidents of the 
 past had been referred to and discussed by all, the 
 conversation turned to the many dangers that had 
 come to some of them, and their narrow escapes. 
 Gratitude to God for their many marvelous deliver- 
 ances was the uppermost feeling in their hearts. Mr. 
 Hurlburt and Mr. Ross spoke most impressively on 
 this wonderful providential care that had been over 
 them. 
 
 The Indians, except those whose duty it was to 
 see to the welfare of their masters and mistresses, 
 were all now asleep. Wrapped up each in his blan- 
 ket, they lay around on the rocks in picturesque 
 places. 
 
 During the evening all the other boats had arrived 
 
 from Norway House, and so it was arranged that 
 
 if the wind continued favorable they would make 
 
 an early start in the morning. When Mr. Ross felt 
 
 366 
 
IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 that it was time to break up the delightful circle he 
 asked Mr. llurllmrt to take charge of the devotional 
 service. Always hallowed and precious were these 
 sacred hours of worship in the forest or on the 
 shores, and this last one was not less suggestive and 
 profitable. First from memory they all repeated the 
 one-hundred-and-third psalm, then they sang the 
 sweet hymn "Abide with me," and at its close Mrs. 
 Ross's sweet voice struck up "Blest be the tie that 
 binds." Then Mr. Hurlburt, the devoted mission- 
 ary, led in prayer. Heaven seemed very near as the 
 good man talked with God and commended Frank, 
 Alec, and Sam to hi«^ loving, omnipotent care during 
 the long, varied journey before them. 
 
 *'Say good-bye as well as good night," said Mr. 
 Ross; "for we may be ofif in the morning without 
 disturbing those who remain behind." 
 
 So the tender farewells were uttered, and all the 
 ladies of the party retired to the large, commodious 
 tent that, as we have seen, had been prepared for 
 them. Mr. Ross, Mr. Hurlburt, and the boys went 
 to the camp beds that had been long waiting for them 
 on the dry beach. Here the Indians quickly tucked 
 them in, and soon they were fast asleep— so fast that 
 Sam declared when he heard the sharp call, "Leve! 
 level" in the morning that he had not had time for 
 even one sweet dream. 
 
 Quickly were the morning preparations made. 
 The kettles were soon boiling and a hasty breakfast 
 prepared. When this was eaten the Christian In- 
 dians asked Mr. Hurlburt to take charge of their 
 
 morning devotions. This he cheerfully did, and so, 
 
 367 
 
 I 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 as was customary, the service was conducted in Cree 
 and English. 
 
 Then the cry was, "All aboard!" The boys — 
 Frank and Alec, we mean— could not help casting 
 their eyes toward the snow-white tent in hopes of at 
 least one more glimpse at two of its inmates. They 
 were almost in despair, when Sam's cheery voice 
 rang out : 
 
 "Don't lose heart, my hearties! If all the boys 
 should go to China, the girls would surely go to 
 Pekin. Sure they are pcekin' now, and here they 
 come ! Hurrah, and welcome !" 
 
 Yes, here they come. Love's ears are sharp, and 
 so Rachel and Winnie heard the call to the travelers, 
 and up they had sprung and dressed, and now, radi- 
 ant and lovely, once more they came in their sweet 
 beauty to greet and say "Good-bye" again, and "God 
 be with you till we meet again.'* For a few minutes 
 they chatted, and then the "All aboard !" again rang 
 out, and so they once more lovingly saluted each 
 other and parted. Rachel and Winnie at once re- 
 turned to the tent. Frank and Alec were soon in 
 their places in the boat. One after another of the 
 boats pushed oflf, until the whole little fleet was under 
 way. The wind was favorable, and so it was a pretty 
 sight to see the whole brigade speeding on over the 
 rippling waves with the white sails filled by the 
 northern breeze. 
 
 Spider Islands were nearly reached ere much was 
 said by anybody but Sam. His good humor and 
 mirth were irrepressible, and soon it became con- 
 tagious. He had tried his hand at a big oar, and, 
 
 368 
 
OYS 
 
 ;d in Cree 
 
 le boys — 
 p casting 
 Dpes of at 
 es. They 
 ery voice 
 
 the boys 
 ily go to 
 here they 
 
 liarp, and 
 travelers, 
 ow, radi- 
 eir sweet 
 md "God 
 T minutes 
 ^ain rang 
 ted each 
 once re- 
 soon in 
 jr of the 
 as under 
 ; a pretty 
 over the 
 by the 
 
 uch was 
 nor and 
 me con- 
 ar, and, 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 "catching a crab," had tumbled back amid some 
 boxes, much to the amusement of all. 
 
 Thus on they sped. At Montreal Point they 
 stopped long enough to boil their kettles, and then 
 their journey was resumed. At Poplar Point they 
 spent a few hours and had a good sleep. Then next 
 morning, bright and early, they were off again. At 
 Beren*s River they stopped for dinner, then on they 
 sped. At the Narrows they saw a great black bear 
 swimming across the channel. Poor bruin got into 
 a tight place. Some of the boats headed him off, and 
 when he attempted to return he found that others 
 were between him and the shore. His perplexity 
 was very great and his temper much ruffled. Soon 
 the bullets began to whistle around him, and these 
 added to his trouble. A bear swims very low in the 
 water, and so, unless in anger he inflates his lungs 
 and raises himself up to growl, there is very little to 
 fire at. The result was, in this case, the flintlock 
 guns did not seem to be able to pierce his skull. 
 
 Mr. Ross, who could not bear to see even a bear 
 tortured, took out his rifle and, loading it, handed it 
 to Big Tom, to kill the animal at once. Big Tom 
 took the rifle, looked at it and then at Sam, and 
 gravely said : 
 
 "Sam ran away from his first bear, suppose he 
 shoots his last one." 
 
 Nothing could please the reckless Sam better, and 
 
 so he quickly sprang up beside Big Tom, who at once 
 
 gave him some directions about allowing for the 
 
 motion of the boat. 
 
 "Now," said Big Tom, "I will swing the boat so 
 24 369 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 that his head will be right in front of you. When I 
 call he will raise his head, and you hit him right 
 between the eyes." 
 
 Quickly was the boat swung in the right position, 
 and as from Tom's lips there was emitted a sound 
 like the call of another bear, the one in the water in- 
 stantly raised up his head, in a listening attitude. 
 Instantly the report rang out, and a dead bear lay 
 there in the water. 
 
 "Well done, Sam !" shouted Frank and Alec, while 
 perhaps Big Tom was the proudest man in the boat. 
 
 The bear was hauled on board by the crew of one 
 of the boats in the rear. That night the men skinned 
 the bear, and as rapidly as possible dried the robe, 
 which was carried home to Ireland by Sam with his 
 other trophies. 
 
 Thus day after day passed. Sometimes there was 
 hardly a breath of wind, and then the men rowed 
 all day. A couple of days were lost on account of 
 strong head winds, but, on the whole, they had a 
 fairly good trip, for at the end of the tenth day they 
 entered the mouth of Red River and camped on its 
 low, marshy shores, amid its miles of reedy morass 
 and its millions of mosquitoes. This was the boys* 
 first experience of them for the season, but it was 
 enough for a lifetime. 
 
 "The pious villains !" said Sam. "They sing over 
 us and they prey upon us !" 
 
 But the longest night has an end, and next day the 
 
 boats were rowed up to Lower Fort Garry. Here 
 
 the boys bade good-bye to Big Tom and the other 
 
 Indians, after they had taken them up into the Hud- 
 
 370 
 
YS 
 
 When I 
 m right 
 
 position, 
 a sound 
 vater in- 
 attitude. 
 bear lay 
 
 EC, while 
 :he boat. 
 V of one 
 skinned 
 he robe, 
 with his 
 
 lere was 
 rowed 
 :ount of 
 had a 
 lay they 
 d on its 
 morass 
 iie boys' 
 t it was 
 
 ing over 
 
 day the 
 
 Here 
 
 le other 
 
 le Hud- 
 
 iN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 son Bay Company's store and bought for each some 
 handsome presents. Mr. Ross found urgent letters 
 here awaiting him, and so that afternoon horses 
 were secured, and he and our three boys were driven 
 alon^ the beautiful prairie road, on the western bank 
 of the winding Red River, twenty miles up to Fort 
 Garry. 
 
 This was the first glance the boys had ever had 
 of a genuine prairie. They were simply wild with 
 delight at its vastness and inimitable beauty. Seeing 
 it as they did, in this early summer time, with its 
 rich grasses at the greenest and its brilliant spring 
 flowers at the perfection of their beauty, it was no 
 wonder that they were in such raptures of delight. 
 Twenty miles of travel brought them to Upper Fort 
 Garry. This old historic fort had long played a 
 prominent part in the history of that country. Here 
 they were hospitably entertained by the officers of 
 the Hudson Bay Company. 
 
 A few days only were needed to make all prepara- 
 tions for the long trip across the prairies to St. Paul, 
 in Minnesota. Some Red River carts, each drawn 
 by an ox, were secured to cafry the baggage and sup- 
 plies. For the boys a double-seated buckboard 
 wagon, with a canvas top, was purchased, and Bap- 
 tiste, a famous half-breed French and Indian driver, 
 was hired to manage the rather unce^tiin horses that 
 in relays were to drag the affair alon^;*. Saddles were 
 also taken along for them to travel on horseback 
 when they so desired. 
 
 As there were all sorts of rumors and stories of 
 
 troubles among the hostile Sioux and Chippewa Tn- 
 
 371 
 
Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 'U 
 
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 f * 
 
 .' i 
 
 dians along the route, it was decided that the party 
 should join a large brigade of carts that, loaded 
 principally with buffalo robes and furs, was just 
 starting for St. Paul. These brigades carried the 
 trading flag of the Hudson Bay Company. Its motto 
 was, "Pro pella cutem" ("Skin for skin"). It is a 
 remarkable fact that for generations, even among 
 the most hostile tribes of Indians, this flag was re- 
 spected, and those carrying it were never robbed or 
 in any way interfered with. 
 
 With sincere regret and sorrow the parting be- 
 tween Mr. Ross and the boys took place. However, 
 tliey were delighted at his promise that, if all went 
 well, he V70uld see them a couple of years hence in 
 their own homes in the old land. 
 
 Just as tl^.ey were leaving in the early morning 
 the bells of St. Boniface rang out their silvery notes. 
 These are the bells, the first out there on the lonely 
 prairies, that Whittier has made famous by his 
 beautiful poem: 
 
 "The voyageur smiles as he listens 
 To the sound that grows apace; 
 
 Well he knows the vesper ringing 
 Of the bells of St. Boniface— 
 
 "The bells of the Roman Missiofi 
 That call from their turrets twain 
 
 To the boatmen on the river, 
 To the hunter on the plain I 
 
 "Even so in our mortal journey 
 
 The bitter north winds blow, . 
 And thus upon life's Red River 
 
 Our hearts as oarsmen rov/." 
 372 
 
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 I 
 
 e party 
 loaded 
 as just 
 ied the 
 5 motto 
 It is a 
 among 
 was re- 
 )bed or 
 
 ing be- 
 )wever, 
 11 went 
 ence in 
 
 lorning 
 f notes. 
 J lonely 
 by his 
 
 :t 
 
 IN THE Gr£At Lone Land 
 
 As some officials of the Hudson Bay Company 
 went along with the large brigade, our young folks 
 had some capital company. After a few days the 
 trip lost much of its excitement and interest. The 
 prairies, beautiful as they at first looked, became 
 somewhat monotonous. Every little lake — and they 
 passed many — was greeted with pleasure. As the 
 horses could travel faster than the oxen, sometimes 
 Baptiste would hurry on ahead to some well-known 
 lake full of wild ducks, and here the boys and their 
 friends would have some capital shooting, which 
 largely and agreeably added to the food "upply. 
 
 When out about a week they were told by some 
 of the outriders, who came galloping up from the 
 front, that a herd of buffalo was not far distant, and 
 that some Sioux Indians wcxe preparing to run 
 them. Saddles were at once put on some of the 
 relay horses, and Frank, Alec, and Sam, and some 
 of their comrades, at once set off to the front to see 
 the exciting sport. They fortunately reached a high 
 swell in the prairie just in time to have a splendid 
 view of the whole affair. The buffaloes numbered 
 about six or eight hundred. Attacking them were 
 perhaps fifty or sixty of the finest horsemvn in the 
 world. Their horses were trained buffalo runners, 
 and entered into the mad, wild sport with al? the en- 
 thusiasm of the riders. All the saddle these riders 
 had was a small piece of buffalo robe so securely 
 fastened on that it could not slip. There was neither 
 halter nor bridle on their horses* heads. One end 
 of a long lariat was fastened loosely around their 
 necks, while the rest of it dragged along the ground, 
 
 37Z 
 
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 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
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 The Indians availed themselves of a great swell 
 in the prairies, and so were able to get quite close to 
 the herd ere they were discovered. Very few of 
 these warriors had guns, but they were well armed 
 with their famous bows and arrows. About two 
 miles away from our party they began the attack on 
 the opposite side of the herd. The result was that 
 as the frightened animals came thundering on before 
 their dreaded foes the boys had a splendid view of 
 the whole scene. For a time it looked as though they 
 might be involved in the mass of terrified animals, 
 as the slope up toward them was very gradual and 
 they were in the direct line of the rush. However, 
 Baptiste and others, who well knew how to meet such 
 an emergency, quickly bunched the party together, 
 and had all the guns fired off in quick succession. 
 This speedily parted the oncoming herd, and so they 
 in two divisions thundered by on the right and left, 
 with their merciless pursuers on their flanks and in 
 the rear, rapidly thinning their numbers. 
 
 It was a most exciting scene, and one to a genuine 
 sportsman that was worth many a day's travel to 
 see. The boys were wild to plunge into the fray, 
 especially when the great buffaloes went galloping 
 by not two hundred yards on each side of them ; but 
 their horses, although excited, were untrained for 
 such sport, and in all probability if started off at full 
 speed would soon have stumbled into some badger's 
 hole or prairie dog's nest, and thus send their riders 
 over their heads. So Baptiste wisely restrained their 
 ardor. The next day our party visited the village 
 of these noted warriors of the plains. 
 
 374 
 
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 V 
 
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 :lose to 
 few of 
 armed 
 ut two 
 :ack on 
 as that 
 before 
 iew of 
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 nimals, 
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 et such 
 gether, 
 ession. 
 so they 
 id left, 
 and in 
 
 genuine 
 avel to 
 e fray, 
 Hoping 
 m; but 
 led for 
 at full 
 idger's 
 ' riders 
 :d their 
 village 
 
 f 
 
 :> 
 
 : : 
 
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 r 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 St. Paul at length was reached. Here passage 
 was secured in a flat-bottomed steamer, with its 
 great wheel at the stern. Down lo St. Croix, on the 
 Mississippi, in this they voyaged. Then across the 
 State of Wisconsin to Milwaukee they traveled by 
 railroad. At this city they secured passage in a 
 steam propeller to Montreal. The trip through 
 Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie was 
 very delightful. In the Welland Canal the boys were 
 much interested as they entered into the series of 
 locks by which great vessels go up and down the 
 great hillside. On they steamed through the beauti- 
 ful Lake Ontario. Then out into the great St. Law- 
 rence River they glided. The Thousand islands 
 seemed like fairyland. The rapids, down which they 
 plunged with the speed of an express train, very 
 much excited and lelighted them. Toward the 
 evening of the fifth day from Milwaukee the towers 
 and steeples of Montreal became visible, with its 
 splendid mountain in the rear. Soon they were 
 alongside of one of the wharves of that great, busy 
 shipping port, and this part of the journey was 
 ended. By telegraph their berths had already been 
 secured for them, and so all our travelers had to do 
 was to oversee the transshipment of their boxes and 
 bales from the lake propeller to the ocean steamship. 
 
 As a day or two would intervene ere the voyage 
 
 would begin, they had an opportunity for a dri^'e or 
 
 two around the glorious mountain which gives the 
 
 city its name. They also visited the quaint old 
 
 cathedral and other places of historic interest in that 
 
 famous city. 
 
 375 
 

 1 :':•' 
 
 («■ ! 'If « ' ■ '' 
 
 i ,'!■■ 
 
 
 i .(, 
 
 Winter Adventures of Three Boys 
 
 In due time the ocean voyage was begun. The 
 great St. Lawrence is a magnificent and picturesque 
 river. Quebec, in its stern grandeur, very much 
 charmed the boys, and they gazed with interest as 
 some well-read travelers pointed out Wolfe's Cove 
 and the place up which Wolfe's gallant men clam- 
 bered in the night, to fight the next day, on the Plains 
 of Abraham, that fierce battle that caused half of the 
 continent to change from French to English masters. 
 Then on again they steamed. Soon they were out 
 on the stormy Atlantic. The voyage was uneventful, 
 and in ten days or so they sighted the coast oi Ire- 
 land. On and on they pushed, until the Mersey was 
 reached. The tide was favorable, and so there was 
 no delay. 
 
 Here they were at length, after all their wander- 
 ings, in dear old England. Very green and beautiful 
 did the country look, after their long voyage on the 
 stormy ocean. Yonder, in the distance, is Liverpool, 
 that mighty city where at its marvelous stone docks 
 are seen the ships of every sea. The boys are excited 
 now. They are nearing home. The coming of the 
 ship has been reported hours before, and now, as she 
 gallantly feels her way among the many vessels pass- 
 ing out, the boys, with staring eyes, are at the front, 
 gazing for the sight of loved ones that they are sure 
 will be there to meet them. 
 
 "Hurrah!" they shout; for there, with waving 
 handkerchiefs and excited gestures, are representa- 
 tives from three families to welcome home our 
 Frank, Alec, and Sam. Delightful is the home-com- 
 ing ; joyous are the welcomes. 
 
 376 
 
M 
 
 IN THE Great Lone Land 
 
 Here we leave them. We have had a very happy 
 time together. We are loath to separate from them. 
 Whether we shall see them again and take them 
 back to those interesting regions to meet ?nd wed 
 their sweethearts, left in that far-away country, will 
 much depend upon events which are beyond our ken 
 at present. Suffice to say that the year spent in the 
 Great Lone Land proved to have been one of the 
 most profitable of their lives. They had returned in 
 the most perfect health. Their readings had not 
 been neglected, and then they had in addition the 
 rich* stores of knowledge and information that a 
 year so full of varied adventure could not fail to 
 bestow. 
 
 They had also returned with something like cor- 
 rect views of the red Indians of North America. In- 
 stead of war whoops and scalping scenes, they had 
 seen how the genuine Indian, when honorably dealt 
 with, is a peaceful person, and can under decent 
 treatment become the most loyal of friends. They 
 delighted also to speak most emphatically and en- 
 couragingly of the work accomplished by the self- 
 denying missionaries among them, who had been in- 
 strumental in winning thousands of them from a 
 degrading paganism to Christianity, and successfully 
 introducing among them the best phases of a genuine 
 and abiding civilization. 
 
 the end.