168 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



for which they receive a sum from the Company, proportioned to 

 the value of the fur. 



In the evening we crossed the Goose Lake, which is a little longer 

 than Swan Lake, and afterwards the River Sepanach, a branch of 

 the Saskatchawan, forming an island extending thirty miles above, 

 and forty below Cumberland House. We turned to the westward 

 on the Hoot River, which enters the Sepanach, and halted on its 

 banks, having made in direct distance not more than twenty miles 

 since the 23rd. 



We passed the Shoal Lake on the 25th, and then marched twelve 

 miles through woods and swamps to a hunting tent of the Indians. 

 It was situated in a grove of large poplars, and would have been no 

 unpleasant residence if we could have avoided the smoke. A heavy 

 gale from the westward, with snow, confined us for several days to 

 this tent. On the 30th two Indians arrived, one of whom named 





the Warrior, was well known at the house. We endeavoured to 

 prevail upon them to set out in quest of moose, which they agreed 

 to do, on receiving some rum. Promises were of no avail; the 

 smallest present gratification is preferred to the certainty of ample 

 reward at another period; an unfailing indication of strong animal 

 passions, and a weak understanding. On complying with their 

 demand they departed. 



The next day, I went to the Warrior's tent, distant about eleven 

 miles. The country was materially changed : the pine had disap- 

 peared, and gentle slopes, with clumps of large poplars, formed some 

 pleasing groups ; willows were scattered over the swamps. When 

 I entered the tent, the Indians spread a buffalo robe before the fire, 

 and desired me to sit down. Some were eating, others sleeping* 

 many of them without any covering except the breach cloth and a 

 blanket over the shoulders ; a state in which they love to indulge 

 themselves till hunger drives them forth to the chase. Besides the 

 Warrior's family, there was that of another hunter named Lons-less, 



