18 



During seasons when the snow is deep and their food supply conse- 

 quently scarce, they proceed as far south as Lake St. John, and have 

 even been killed immediately north of Quebec. 



On Nov. 27th we commenced our winter's journey to Lake 

 Mistassini, and as each day's journey was the same, a description of 

 one will do for all. Breakfast was taken in the tents at daylight, and 

 then everything packed up and laid outside ; the stoves were taken 

 down and a fire lighted, at which the frozen bottoms of the tents were 

 melted in order to fold them : these were laid on the sleighs, the 

 baggage and provisions laid on, wrapped in the tents or coverings, and 

 securely lashed with long lines ; at this work considerable time was 

 lost, so that the line of march was seldom taken up before 8.30 a.m. 

 The guide, with a light load on his sleigh, led the way and broke the 

 path, the rest following in Indian file, each dragging a load of 200 lbs. 

 weight. Thus the party journeyed on through thedesolate country over low 

 rounded hills and across long narrow lakes lying north and south. As 

 the height of land was approached, the timber was found to consist 

 almost wholly of black spruce and tamarac of small size, which scantily 

 covered the rocky hills and swampy lake borders. At noon a stop 

 was made near a lake or small stream, and dinner prepared at a fire 

 built on the snow, after which the march was continued until about 4 

 p.m., when we pitched our tents for the night. 



A place being selected for the tents, the snow was evenly packed 

 down by tramping on it with snowshoes, then the tent and stove set up, 

 a good supply of brush laid on the bottom, and covered with waterproof 

 sheet and blankets, a fire lighted, and soon the tent was perfectly warm 

 and comfortable, even with the thermometer outside 40° below zero. 



The men were employed until dark cutting the night's supply of 

 fire-wood, after which supper was eaten, a pipe smoked, and then all 

 turned into the blankets. 



The weather during December alternated between extremely cold 

 and clear, and wild stormy days ; on the stormy days the camp was not 

 changed and the men employed the time in hunting beavers in the 

 small hikes about. When signs were discovered, the whole party pro- 

 ceeded to the spot ; the ice was cut round the margin of the pond and 

 stakes placed across the outlet and inlets to prevent the escape of the 



