urney on flying feet, some, perhaps who have bundles for three or
four in the same vicinity, prefer to take their fleet dog-trains. It
makes but little difference, however, how they go. They are soon all
off, and much sooner back again than we inexperienced ones would expect.

Of the great feast itself, it is difficult to give anything like an
adequate description. The tables are piled with the various kinds of
food, the cups are filled with tea, and all the older people first
seated. Some years it was customary for the missionary to have a large
table at the head, to which were invited the officials of the Hudson Bay
Company and their families, and any visiting friends who might be in the
country. The chiefs were also given a place at this table, an honour
much appreciated. When all were seated, they very heartily sang as
grace before meat, the Cree translation of the Verse:

"Be present at our table, Lord,
Be here and everywhere adored;
These creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in Paradise with Thee."

When the older people had eaten, the tables were quickly cleared; then
again filled and refilled, until all had feasted, and some had even
returned "to fill up," as they said, some vacancies discovered. What
appetites they had; and what unrestrained enjoyment! No foreboding
fears of coming nightmare, or fits of indigestion, disturbed their
felicity. Dyspepsia and its kindred ills, had, up to those times, never
visited that healthy hunting people; and so, when such a feast of fat
things as this was prepared, where they knew they were all welcome
guests, they went in for a good time and had it in full measure, without
any anxiety for after consequences. It was an epoch in their history--
the most blessed day of the year. From it some of them recorded time,
as so many moons after the feast; and as the year advanced they made
engagements by so many moons before the next feast.

If supplies were still abundant when the last had eaten, the first were
set to work again until the bear's ribs were all picked and every haunch
of venison had disappeared. Night was grandly closing in, ere this
stage in the proceedings was reached. When it did arrive, willing hands
soon took down the tables, swept out the building, replaced the seats,
lighted the oil lamps, and the intellectual feast was held. For years
Mamanowatum, whose familiar name was Big Tom, was appointed chairman.
He was a large man, in fac