ous rivers of the
Indian country they are not found to be at all equal to those
manufactured by the natives. In the manufacture of their paddles, and
in the spring and lightness of their oars, they have never been
surpassed; and, while often imitated, many a skillful white artisan has
had to admit that after all his efforts there was a something of
completeness and exact fitness for the work required about the Indians'
production that he felt was in some way lacking in his own handiwork.

To the Indian women and clever old men were left the duties of making
the canoes. Our boys were very much interested in watching them at the
work of canoe building, but naturally annoyed at the spasmodic way in
which they carried on their operations, as while perhaps for some days
they would work incessantly from early dawn to dark, they would then lay
off for days and do nothing but lounge around and smoke.

As the weeks rolled on, and the boys became more and more acquainted
with the natives, and acclimated and accustomed to the methods of
travel, a more ambitious trip for their pleasure was arranged by Mr
Ross.

It was decided to go to the Old Fort, and after shooting and fishing
there in the vicinity of the place previously visited, then to push on
to Spider Islands, and after a short stay in order to enjoy the beauties
of that romantic place, then to push on across the north-eastern part of
the great Lake Winnipeg to Montreal Point, and there to hunt along the
coast as far south as Poplar Point, if the sport were good and the
necessary supplies of ammunition and other essentials held out. The
boys were wild with delight at the prospect, and were anxious to do all
in their power to expedite the undertaking.

The Indians of all these regions, in which our boys were hunting, do not
now give much prominence to the old picturesque style of dress, with
which we have all been so familiar. Feathers and paints are with them
now quite out of date; still their coats, pants, leggings, and moccasins
are principally made of the beautifully tanned skins of the moose and
reindeer, and handsomely ornamented with bead work, at which the Cree
women are most skillful. Of course Frank, Alec, and Sam were speedily
fitted out in the dress of the country, and were quite proud of their
appearance. They were also very anxious to have the natives give them
Indian names, as is quite customary. The Indians, however, after some
councilling, in which