254 PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. 



hadgotMr.M c Leod, the Indians, and all the men 

 but three, from the Fort. It was arranged that 

 the former, with a chosen party, should precede 

 us to hunt, and should make caches of meat along 

 the line of route, so as to save the pemmican ; 

 while the other Indians, with part of the men, 

 should assist in dragging the baggage. One 

 Indian was left with us as a guide ; but his friends 

 were scarcely out of sight, when he began de- 

 liberately to pack up, with the intention of fol- 

 lowing them. This caprice (for he had remained 

 voluntarily) was owing, it seemed, to distrust of 

 the constancy of his } 7 oung wife, who was some- 

 where to the north ; and it was only by threaten- 

 ing to discharge him altogether from the service, 

 that I could prevail on him to stay. We had in 

 vain tried every allurement to induce some 

 Indian family to remain and take care of the 

 establishment during the absence of Mr. M c Leod: 

 no temptation was strong enough to entice the 

 poorest among them to accept of so dangerous 

 a trust ; all agreeing that it would be impossible 

 to procure a livelihood there at this season of the 

 year. No more convincing proof can be given of 

 the wretched poverty of the country ; for the 

 people will suffer any privation short of death 

 to obtain their favourite tobacco, ammunition, 

 and clothing ; and as it is acknowledged that 

 an Indian can live where a wolf would starve, 



