74 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



lodge, sent off to Mm a very small quantity well 

 watered, taking the precaution to fill a small keg with 

 a weak mixture, and hiding the cask in the cart. 



It does not answer, however, to dilute the spirits 

 too much. It must he strong enough to he inflam- 

 mahle, for an Indian always tests it by pouring a few 

 drops into the fire. If it possesses the one property 

 from which he has given it the name of fire-water, he 

 is satisfied, whatever its flavour or other qualities 

 may be. 



We had hardly covered up the cask, when Keke- 

 kooarsis appeared, accompanied by his squaw, a 

 withered old hag, and Keenamontiayoo, " The Long 

 Neck," his son-in-law. The men were already half 

 drunk, singing away the Indian song without words, 

 and clamorous for more rum. They produced a 

 number of marten and other skins, and all our ex- 

 planations failed to make them understand that w^e 

 had not come as traders. 



After two hours' continued discussion, w^e doled 

 out another small quantity, as the only way to get rid 

 of them. How they chuckled and hugged the pot ! 

 exclaiming, " Tarpwoy ! tarpwoy !" (It is true ! it is 

 true !) hardly able to believe the delightful fact. At 

 the first dawn of day, they entered the lodge again, 

 bringing more furs for sale. 



Boys rode ofi* as couriers in all directions to carry 

 the w^elcome tidings to their friends in the neighbour- 

 hood. Before long men came galloping up from 

 different quarters, and these were presently followed 

 by squaws and children, all eager to taste the pleasure- 



