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50 T H R O U G H T H E M A C K E N Z I E B A S IN of water- worn pebbles, boulders and sand, w i t h a l o n g narrow spit projecting to the east, much frequented by gulls, of whose eggs a large number were gathered. To the south, on the mainland, is the site of the o l d North- West Company's post, near to which stood that of the Hudson's B a y Company, for they always planted themselves cheek by j o w l in those days of r i v a l r y , so that there should be no lack of provocation. A dozen half- breed families had now their habitat there, and subsisted b y fishing and t r a p p i n g . On the i s l a n d our Cree half- breeds enjoyed the first evening's camp by playing the universal button- hiding game called PugaS-awin, and which is always accompanied by a monotonous chant and the tom- tom, anything serving for that hideous instrument i f a d r um is not at hand. They are a l l inveterate gamblers i n that country, and lose or w i n w i t h equal indifference. Others played a, peculiar game of cards called Natwawaquawin, or " M a r r i a g e , " the loser's penalty being d r o l l , but unmentionable. These amusements, which often spun out t i l l morning, were broken up by another r a t t l i ng storm, w h i c h lasted a l l n i g h t and all the next day. We had lost a l l count of storms by this time, and were stolidly resigned. The day following, however, the w i n d was fresh and fair, and we made great headway, reaching the mouth of Swan River— Naposeo Sepe— about mid- day. T h i s stream is almost choked at its discharge by a conglomeration of slimy roots, weeds and floatwood, and the banks are " a melancholy waste of p u t r i d marshes." It is a f o r b i d d i n g entrance to a r i v e r which, farther up, waters a good f a r m i n g country, i n c l u d i n g coal i n abundance. The wind being strong and f a i r , we spun along at a great rate, and expected to reach the treaty point before dark, reckoning, as usual, without our host. The w i n d suddenly wheeled to the south- west, and a dangerous squall sprang up, which forced us to run back for shelter f u l l y five miles. There was barely time to camp before the gale became furious, raging a l l night, and throwing down tents l i k e nine-
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Title | Page 57 |
OCR | 50 T H R O U G H T H E M A C K E N Z I E B A S IN of water- worn pebbles, boulders and sand, w i t h a l o n g narrow spit projecting to the east, much frequented by gulls, of whose eggs a large number were gathered. To the south, on the mainland, is the site of the o l d North- West Company's post, near to which stood that of the Hudson's B a y Company, for they always planted themselves cheek by j o w l in those days of r i v a l r y , so that there should be no lack of provocation. A dozen half- breed families had now their habitat there, and subsisted b y fishing and t r a p p i n g . On the i s l a n d our Cree half- breeds enjoyed the first evening's camp by playing the universal button- hiding game called PugaS-awin, and which is always accompanied by a monotonous chant and the tom- tom, anything serving for that hideous instrument i f a d r um is not at hand. They are a l l inveterate gamblers i n that country, and lose or w i n w i t h equal indifference. Others played a, peculiar game of cards called Natwawaquawin, or " M a r r i a g e , " the loser's penalty being d r o l l , but unmentionable. These amusements, which often spun out t i l l morning, were broken up by another r a t t l i ng storm, w h i c h lasted a l l n i g h t and all the next day. We had lost a l l count of storms by this time, and were stolidly resigned. The day following, however, the w i n d was fresh and fair, and we made great headway, reaching the mouth of Swan River— Naposeo Sepe— about mid- day. T h i s stream is almost choked at its discharge by a conglomeration of slimy roots, weeds and floatwood, and the banks are " a melancholy waste of p u t r i d marshes." It is a f o r b i d d i n g entrance to a r i v e r which, farther up, waters a good f a r m i n g country, i n c l u d i n g coal i n abundance. The wind being strong and f a i r , we spun along at a great rate, and expected to reach the treaty point before dark, reckoning, as usual, without our host. The w i n d suddenly wheeled to the south- west, and a dangerous squall sprang up, which forced us to run back for shelter f u l l y five miles. There was barely time to camp before the gale became furious, raging a l l night, and throwing down tents l i k e nine- |
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