s canoe, which, of course, was Oo-koo-hoo's, gave the
word; and all together the paddle blades dipped, the water swirled, and
on the gunwales the paddle handles thudded as the canoes heaved away.

The going and coming of the Fur Brigade was the one great event of the
year to those nomadic people who stood watching and waving to the
fast-vanishing flotilla. Were they not bidding farewell to fathers,
husbands, brothers, sons, or lovers, chosen as the best men from their
village? Had they not lent a hand in the winning of the treasure that
was floating away? If only the pelts in those packs could speak, what
tales they would unfold!

As I looked back the animated picture of the little settlement wherein
we figured but a moment before gradually faded into distance. The
wild-looking assembly was blotted from the shore. But still above the
rapidly dwindling buildings waved the flag of the oldest chartered
trading association in the world--the Hudson's Bay Company.

Between eleven and twelve o'clock the brigade went ashore for a
"snack." The canoes were snubbed to overhanging trees, and upon a
rocky flat the fires burned. Hurriedly drinking the hot tea, the men
seized pieces of frying pork and, placing them upon their broken
bannock, ravenously devoured both as they returned to the canoes. No
time was lost. Away we went again. Then the brigade would paddle
incessantly for about two hours; then they would "spell", and paddles
were laid aside "one smoke." As the way slackened the steersmen
bunched the canoes. The soft, rich voices of the crews blended as they
quietly chatted and joked and laughed together.

[Illustration: The departure of the Fur Brigade was the one great event
of the year. In manning six-fathom canoes the bowman are always the
most important; the steersman coming next in rank, while the others are
called "midmen." The brigade would paddle incessantly for about two
hours; then they would "spell", and paddles were laid aside "one
smoke." The soft, rich voices of the crews blended as they quietly
chatted and joked and . . . See Chapter VIII.]

Later, a stern wind came along. Nearing an island, some of the men
went ashore and cut a mast and sprit-sail boom for each canoe. They
lashed the masts to the thwarts with tump-lines, and rigged the
tarpaulins, used to cover the packs, into sails. Again the paddles
were shipped, save those of the steersmen; and the crews lounged about,
either smoking