assage in one of the company's canoes through
that series of rivers and lakes by which the fur-traders penetrate into
the regions of the far north. Arrived at Red River Settlement, I pushed
forward on horseback over the plains with a small party of horsemen to
the head waters of the Saskatchewan. Here I succeeded in engaging a
party of twelve men, composed of half-breeds and Indians, and set out on
a journey of exploration over the prairies towards the Rocky Mountains.
Circumstances led me to modify my plans. We diverged towards the south,
and finally came to within a few days' journey of the region in which we
now are. We were suddenly surprised one night by a war-party of
Blackfoot Indians. My men had grown careless. They neglected to keep
strict watch, and before we were aware that danger threatened us, all
our horses were carried off.

"This was a terrible calamity. My men declared that it was impossible
to advance without horses, and refused to accompany me any farther. I
remonstrated in vain; then, filled with indignation at their cowardice,
I left them and pursued my journey alone. Since then I have seen only
one man, a trapper, who was travelling south to the settlements. He
offered to take me with him, but I declined. I felt that no great or
good work could ever be accomplished by the man who turns back at the
first disaster; so he left me. I have suffered somewhat. I am,
unfortunately, a bad shot, and, although game is everywhere abundant, I
cannot kill it. I have subsisted hitherto on small birds; but my powder
and lead are almost expended. Had I not fallen in with you, I know not
what I should have done."

To this narrative the trappers listened with respectful attention, for,
despite the feelings of pity, almost bordering on contempt, with which
they regarded the stranger's weapons and his knowledge, or rather
ignorance, of woodcraft, they could not help reverencing the
simple-minded enthusiasm in a good cause that had conducted the artist
so deep into a savage land in which he was evidently unfitted, either by
nature or training, to travel.

"But I say, stranger," said Big Waller, "wot _do_ ye mean by openin' up
the country? It ain't a oyster, that ye can open it up with a big knife
I guess."

"There, friend, you are wrong. This country does, indeed, resemble an
oyster; and I hope, by the aid of the mighty levers of knowledge and
enterprise, to open it up. I mean to take notes and ske