u have so many splendid dogs this winter, why not take an extra
train with you, and bring out from Red River some of the food of
civilisation, so that we can have it to remind us of other days?"

Thus spake the good wife, who, like myself, sometimes became tired of
having the fresh water fish of the country as our principal diet for
about one half of the year. During the other six months we lived
principally upon game, such as venison, bear's meat, beaver, wild-cat,
ptarmigan, rabbits and even muskrats. So, this request to bring out
something to eat that savoured of civilisation, was not an unreasonable
one. I was going in to Red River settlement on business pertaining to
the spiritual advancement of our mission, and this was a good
opportunity to bring out with me some things that would add to our
comfort and help on in the good work; we had to do so many things for
our poor Indians, who were often in trouble, and were constantly looking
to us for help.

My splendid dugs obtained from Hamilton, Montreal and elsewhere, had
increased and multiplied, until now I had a number of the finest sleigh
dogs in the country. When the time came for the long trip, I harnessed
them up; and, taking an additional train for the extra supply of food
which was suggested by my wife, with my guide and dog drivers, began the
journey. In order that we could return with full loads, we started with
our sleds loaded with fish, numbers of which we cached at our different
camping places, that we might have them on which to feed our dogs on the
return journey.

We were several days on the route, as we encountered a fierce blizzard
which made travelling with our heavy loads very difficult. However, we
reached the settlement, and met with a warm welcome at the home of our
friend, the Hon. Mr Sifton. The business that brought us in to
civilisation being soon arranged, we began our purchases of supplies for
the return, special attention being given to the purchase of the extra
load of good things. First, I went to a butcher, and purchased from him
about two hundred and fifty pounds of his choicest cuts of meat; telling
him, that as it was to be dragged by dogs on a sled some hundreds of
miles, I wanted as little bone as possible. He was a decent man and
treated me well. Then, I went to a storekeeper, and purchased from him
rice, meal, butter, canned vegetables and various other things, making
in all, a load of about six hundred pounds. I