120 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



the shot, the cry of the animal, or the noise of its 

 dashing away, and the pursuit, were all given as the 

 tale went on. 



We had arranged with Keenamontiayoo to 

 start with him in a few days for the plains, intending 

 to pay a visit to a small camp of Wood Crees, who 

 we had heard were hunting huffalo about eighty miles 

 off. We were, however, astonished on the evening of 

 the last day of the year, by the arrival not only of 

 the Hunter, but Kekekooarsis also, with their wives, 

 children, and relatives. They seemed very much 

 delighted with themselves, and were very complimen- 

 tary to us. All quietly settled downi and began to 

 smoke. It was plain they intended to stay some 

 time with us. As our room was so extremely small, 

 we found it inconvenient to accommodate so many 

 visitors, but all our efforts to understand their ex- 

 planations were in vain, and we had to make the best 

 of it. 



On the following morning we were somewhat 

 enlightened. At daybreak the men got up, and fired 

 off a great many shots in honour of the new year. 

 Then ensued a general shaking of hands all round, 

 and a kissing of the women and children. The 

 latter part of the ceremony we, however, very un- 

 gallantly omitted. We subsequently learnt that it is 

 the custom for those who have nothing wherewith 

 to feast, to visit their friends who may be in greater 

 plenty ; and oar neighbours thought that they could 

 not do better than with us. As they had come, we 

 hastened our departure, and set out with Keena- 



