closing contests were the canoe races. For them the prizes were
given by the Hudson Bay Company's officials. These gentlemen were
present at the previous contests, and had been very much interested.
First there were races where only one lad was in each canoe. In
addition to paddling out to and around a certain island they were to
twice, out in deep water, upset their canoe and, unaided, get into it
again. This was rare sport, and while to persons unacquainted with
these youngsters, who are as much at home in the water as beavers, it
would seem dangerous, such a thing as any of them coming to harm is
unknown. The cleverness with which they would turn over and upset the
canoe and then get into it, never over the side but at the end, was
marvellous.

These various races, some with two, and others with four, Indian lads in
them, were well contested, and gave great pleasure to all the
spectators.

At the close the Indian boys, who perhaps were none too well satisfied
with the white lads for having carried off both a first and second
prize, went to Mr Ross, and through him challenged the white boys to a
canoe race. This our lads promptly accepted, but, of course, demurred
against the canoe upsetting process and climbing in again. This was
agreed to by the Indian boys, and it was decided the race was to be to a
large rocky island about a mile out and return. They were, however,
both to paddle twice around the island ere they returned on the home
stretch.

Two canoes were selected; and the Hudson Bay chief Factor was appointed
the judge. Ever since the arrival of the boys in the country they had
been learning how to manage the frail but beautiful birch canoe, and so
were no unworthy competitors to these young Indians, whose summer lives
were almost all spent in paddling their light canoes. A good start was
made, and while the alert Indians secured the advantage the good, steady
paddling of the heavier white boys enabled them, ere the island was
reached, to have their canoe a good half-length ahead of their dusky
opponents. But here at the island the long practice of the Indians in
the management of the canoe gave them a decided advantage. While Alec,
who plied the stern paddle, and thus was responsible for the turning
round and round the island, was cautiously and safely doing his work,
the Indians with a flash and a laugh went round and round, cutting off
corners where he never dreamed there was sufficient dept