THE TRAIL COMES TO AN END. 281 



water, and the comparative freedom from gadflies and 

 mosquitoes. For above an hour they refused to move, 

 in spite of all we could do. We shied showers of 

 sticks and stones at them, shouted and stormed at 

 Bucephalus, the '' Grand Rouge," the " Petit Eouge " 

 — ^then tried the " Gris,'"* the " Sauvage," the " Petit 

 Noir;" — all were of one mind. They had found a 

 cool and pleasant place, where were neither packs nor 

 hurtful rocks and trees. Blows they were tolerably 

 safe from, and angry words they regarded not. At 

 last the boy, by some well-directed missiles from 

 the drift-wood bridge, rendered the place too hot for 

 them, and they abandoned the position, swimming 

 across as we desired. 



The rest of the day was fruitful in difficulties and 

 mishaps. The trail had been made by the Canadians 

 when the river was low, and was now frequently lost 

 in deep water. At these points we were obliged to cut 

 a new line for ourselves, along steep, timber-strewn 

 hill- sides. The forest was as dense as ever, and the 

 trees of the largest. " Muskegs" occupied the hollows 

 between the pine-clad hills, which ran up at short 

 intervals with steep front towards the river. The 

 horses mired and were dragged out — walked into the 

 river, and were hauled back — entangled themselves in 

 fallen timber, and were chopped out — or hid them- 

 selves in the thick wood, and had to be sought. At 

 night The Assiniboine was fairly done, and all of us 

 thoroughly tired out. 



We met with similiar country and the same diffi- 

 culties until the afternoon of the second day after 



