90 THE LABRADOR PENINSULA. CHAP. vi. 



fire. I saw that the children had been lying on the 

 rabbit-skin robe, and looked warm, fat, and comfortable, 

 although the thermometer during the night was 3 below 

 the freezing-point in the woods, and ice had formed on 

 the edge of the river. 



While breakfast was preparing, I called Louis and told 

 him to ask Domenique whether he would go with us ; 

 and if not, whether he would allow his adopted son, the 

 Nasquapee, to show us the road. Louis turned to the 

 chief and spoke a few words, interpreting Domenique's 

 reply shortly afterwards to the effect that he could not 

 accompany us : he must go and see the priest ; he had 

 promised two years ago. He was sorry the other canoes 

 had not come down this way ; if they had, he would have 

 sent one of the young men with us. But if we waited 

 three days, he Avould catch them below the Forks at the 

 Grand Rapids, and send a canoe back with one man for 

 our guide. 



'What did he say about the Nasquapee ?' 



' No speak to him about Nasquapee yet,' said Louis. 

 ' Wait a bit ; let Domenique get breakfast think and 

 speak easier after breakfast. Wait a bit.' 



Although very anxious to know what he would say, 

 I let the Indians take their own way. We had another 

 long talk during breakfast, and when pipes were filled all 

 round, we left Louis to broach the subject of the young 

 Nasquapee's companionship. 



I was sitting on a rock opposite the gorge, admiring 

 the exquisite symmetry of the delicate little Montagnais 

 canoe which lay bottom upwards at my feet, when Louis 

 came with a desponding look and slouching gait over 



