ARRIVAL OF INDIANS. igi 



pointed to regular tasks : some to the felling of 

 trees, and squaring them into beams or rafters ; 

 others, to the sawing of slabs and planks : 

 here was a group awkwardly chipping the shape- 

 less granite into something like form ; and there 

 a party in a boat in search of mud and grass for 

 mortar. It was an animated scene ; and, set off 

 as it was by the white tents and smoky leather 

 lodges, contrasting with the mountains and green 

 woods, it was picturesque as well as interesting. 



In a few days, the framework of the house 

 and observatory were up ; but, in consequence of 

 the smallness of the trees, and the distance from 

 which they were carried, our progress in filling 

 up the walls was necessarily slow. In the mean- 

 time, there was an evident falling off in the 

 numbers of the white fish, which had given place 

 to trout. On examination, it was found that 

 these latter had eaten the spawn of the others. 



We were scarcely settled in our new station, 

 when a small party of Indians came with a 

 little meat ; and, having obtained in exchange 

 what they wanted, went away again, leaving, 

 however, behind them an infirm old man. Two 

 more elderly Chipewyans shortly afterwards 

 joined him, one of whom carried on his back his 

 son, who was weak from want of food. In short, 

 the sick and miserable soon began to flock in 

 from all quarters, in the hope of procuring that 



