CHAPTEE IV. 



Carlton — Buffalo close to the Fort — Fall of Snow — Decide to Winter 

 near White Fish Lake — The Grisly Bears — Start for the Plains — 

 The Dead Buffalo— The White Wolf— Eunning Buffalo Bulls— The 

 Gathering of the Wolves — Treemiss Lost — How he Spent the 

 Night— Indian Hospitality — Yisit of the Crees — The Chiefs 

 Speech — Admire our Horses — Suspicions — Stratagem to Elude 

 the Crees — Watching Horses at Mght — Suspicious Guests — The 

 Cows not to be Found— More Running — Tidings of our Pursuers 

 — Return to the Fort. 



Carlton House, of which Mr. Lilhe was in charge 

 at this time, Hke the other forts of the Hudson's Bay 

 Company, consists of a few wooden buildings, sur- 

 rounded by a high square pahsade, flanked at each 

 comer with small square towers. It stands on the 

 south side of the Saskatchewan, in the low ground close 

 to the river, and below the high banks which formed 

 the ancient boundary of the stream. The north 

 Saskatchewan is very similar in appearance to the south 

 branch, but of rather greater size. Situated between 

 the vast forest on the north and the prairie which 

 stretches away to the south, it was formerly a post of 

 very considerable importance. But as the fur-bearing 

 animals of the woods have decreased, and the buflalo 

 are often far distant, it has ceased to be one of the 

 most profitable establishments. When we arrived 

 there, however, we were gladdened by the news that 



