154 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



human endurance ; and indeed it is said that one ot 

 the missionaries on the Saskatchewan, a most worthy 

 and pious man, when travelling with some of his 

 flock in the winter, astonished and horrified his com- 

 panions by suddenly giving vent, in his distraction, 

 to most dreadful ana.themas against his dogs. They 

 were lying coolly down in the most aggravating 

 manner, with their heads turned round narrowly 

 watching him, but without making the smallest 

 effort to help themselves and him out of the difficulty 

 into which they had fallen. 



After three days of this more than usually 

 harassing work, the party found themselves at dusk 

 about fifteen miles from La Belle Prairie. Findino- 



o 



no suitable camping ground at the moment, they 

 went forward until night had quite closed in. A 

 young moon, already nearly down, lighted the 

 travellers for a time. Cheadle's sleigh led the way, 

 and he continued on until the moon disappeared and 

 it became very dark. Yet still Shushu, the leading 

 dog, showed no hesitation, and kept the track un- 

 erringly, although it was drifted up level and almost 

 impercentible to the eye, even in broad daylight. 

 The only means of judging the line of the path was 

 by the feel of the firm footing beneath the snow-- 

 shoes, contrasted with the light, powdery mass on 

 either side. Cheadle perceiving the sagacity of 

 the dog was equal to the occasion, determined to 

 reach the hut that night, and hour after hour kept 

 steadily on, followed by the two Indians with their 

 trains, wondering why the '' Okey Mow " would not 



