ons given so that the owner
might go on working, until she became perplexed with its intricacies,
when she would come to the mission house for help, and so on until the
work was completed.

In addition to thus helping in dressmaking there were lessons to be
given in patching and darning, and in lengthening out, or adding to, the
dresses of the rapidly growing Indian girls.

Thus, from house to house we went, and for long years after the good
results of those visits remained; thus, was a noble ambition stirred in
those Indian women's lives to try and keep house like Ookemasquao; and
thus, they endeavoured to let their husbands and children see, that no
longer did they wish to live in the careless way of the old pagan life,
but, as now they had become Christians in their profession, so in their
homes, they would have the neatness and cleanliness, that should belong
to those who are thus called.

CHAPTER FOUR.

HOW THE GOSPEL IS CARRIED: BY CANOE IN SUMMER; BY DOG-TRAIN IN WINTER.

That great northern country is a land of innumerable lakes and rivers.
Unfortunately, many of the streams abound with rapids, and navigation on
them, as generally understood, is an impossibility. Hence, the only way
of travelling on them in summer, is in the light birch canoe or in some
other craft, so portable, that it can be carried or dragged across the
many portages that are so numerous in that land of cataracts and falls.

From time immemorial, the birch canoe has been considered a part of the
craft of the Indian. Centuries of its use has enabled him so to perfect
it, that although attempts have been made by the white man to improve
it, they have not been very successful.

One of our missionaries, who was one of the best canoemen in the
country, was conceited enough to imagine, that the beautiful cedar canoe
of the white man was superior to the birch-bark ones of the natives. So
certain was he of this, that at a good deal of trouble and expense, he
had one of the very best models sent to him all the way from Ontario to
Norway House. On the beautiful Playgreen lake and other similar places,
he enjoyed it amazingly; but when he started off on his missionary
touring, the Indians, who are the best judges of these things urged him
not to attempt in that beautiful, but unreliable boat, to run the wild
rapids of the mighty Nelson or other great rivers. He, however, only
laughed at their fears and protestations. A number of them se