3Q C 2 PLUNDER OF A BAG OF PEMMICAN. 



a name to the spot where they happen ; so, to 

 conform to the usage, I called this Malley's 



Rapid. 



On opening another bag of pemmican to- 

 night, the upper part was found to be mouldy, 

 as if it had been wet : on removing it, a stone 

 was found, and a further examination led to the 

 discovery of layers of mixed sand, stones, and 

 green meat — the work of some rascally Indian, 

 who, having pilfered the contents, had adopted 

 this ingenious device to conceal his peculation. 

 And well indeed it must have been managed, 

 since it had escaped the experienced eye of 

 Mr. M c Leod, who considered the whole to be 

 in good order. As it was now uncertain whether 

 we might not be carrying a heap of stones instead 

 of provision, every bag underwent a severe 

 probing, and, much to our satisfaction, the re- 

 mainder proved sound and well-tasted. 



For five days the sun had been visible only 

 thrice, and this night and the morning of the 

 10th were so rainy, that, with an intricate piece 

 of water before us, we did not venture to stir, 

 until a short respite tempted us to try what 

 could be done. The rapid was wedged in between 

 two hills that forbade all landing in case of an 

 accident : so to guard against consequences, as 

 far as possible, I had the guns, ammunition, and 

 instruments carried, and thought it advisable to 



