CHAP. xi. THE * GREAT MOUNTAIN.' 167 



the ' Great Mountain,' and usually added, ' from which 

 you see Big-water and Ashwanipi.' 



About noon the rain ceased, and we sent the men 

 to bring the canoes and remaining part of the baggage 

 from the summit, where they had been left the night 

 before. 



In an hour and a half they began to drop in with 

 their loads, and wretched-looking beings they were, 

 being thoroughly wet with the drops from the bushes and 

 trees bordering the path. The ISTasquapee came first, 

 carrying the legs of the theodolite, which Mr. Gaudet 

 had given into his charge, and which he regarded with 

 great respect, always placing them by his side at night. 

 He looked upon the theodolite as a great medicine, and 

 thought he was highly honoured when entrusted with 

 the legs of this instrument. His tatooed face was bearn- 

 ing with cheerfulness as he gently laid his treasure down 

 on the rock and looked towards the owner for the 

 usual genial nod of approbation with which he rewarded 

 him. Next came Louis : in fact, the Nasquapee and the 

 Montagnais were always together ; they alone could 

 understand one another, and both bein^ of rather a 



O 



talkative turn, they lost no opportunity of having a chat. 

 Poor Louis was carrying a canoe, and as he lifted his 

 burden from his shoulders and disclosed his face, he 

 presented a most ludicrous figure. His long hair hung 

 in lank masses over his face ; his eyes shone like glow- 

 worms beneath and through them ; he was perspiring most 

 profusely, and evidently a little exhausted, for as soon as 

 he laid his burden upon the grass, bottom upwards, he 

 sat down upon a fallen tree, swept the hair from his face, 



