No. 4.] SELWYN — THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY. 195 



tind fried in a pan, pemmican in this form can be eaten, provided 

 •the appetite be sharp and there is nothing else to be had ; this 

 last consideration is however of importance." 



I do not altogether agree with Capt. Butler in his estimate of 

 pemmican, and for mj own part, I never disliked it and could 

 always make a hearty meal off it, and for voyaging it certainly 

 has very great advantages not possessed by any other description 

 -of food. 



The land transport of heavy goods, throughout the country 

 westward from lied River to the Rocky Mountains, is effected with 

 carts drawn by single horses or oxen. They usually carry from 

 six to eight hundred pounds, or sometimes less, according to the 

 length of the journey and the rate at which it is intended to 

 travel ; twenty to thirty miles is an average day's journey. 

 These carts, known as Red River carts, are exceedingly rough 

 and clumsy looking vehicles, with wheels 5|- to 6 feet in diameter. 

 They are built entirely of wood, oak, ash and birch, and cost 

 when new from fifteen to twenty dollars. Notwithstanding their 

 appearance, however, they are, from the absence of iron in their 

 construction, wonderfully light; this, together with the facility 

 from the same cause with which they can be repaired, renders 

 them very suitable for the country and for the work required of 

 them. If an axle breaks or otherwise fails it can be quickly re- 

 placed : an oak or birch log of the required size, an axe, an auger 

 and a drawing knife being all the tools and materials required 

 for the purpose. From the rough character of some of the 

 tracks, this accident is of such common occurence that when 

 travelling on the prairie where no timber can be had, it is cus- 

 tomary to carry suitable pieces of wood for replacing them slung 

 to the side of each cart. Another advantage which these carts 

 possess, is that with the aid of a waterproof tarpaulin or a buffalo 

 hide they are readily converted into serviceable rafts, and are 

 often used in this way for floating goods and passengers in safety 

 over any unbridged, deep or swollen streams which have to be 

 crossed. Besides the carts described, the light express waggon is 

 gradually coming into use in the North West, but for expedition 

 and comfort in crossing the plains, the buck-board is decidedly to 

 be preferred to any other vehicle, and is much less fatiguing to both 

 man and horse than the saddle. Connected with the means of 

 transport I must not omit to say a few words about Sliaganappi. 

 Shaganappi is a most valuable institution, and must on no ac- 



