958 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



ing it thickly with snow, and then pouring water over all until 

 the frost had rendered the whole a solid mass." 



The second method is given by Professor H. Y. Hind in 

 his "Exploration of Labrador":'" 



"As an illustration of the ingenuity of Indians in preserv- 

 ing their packs of fur or provisions during the winter months 

 where the Wolverine abounds, Mr. Anderson, chief factor of 

 Mingan, told me that when he was in charge of the Post of 

 Neepigon, north of Lake Superior, an Indian came to him to 

 get some provision, but did not bring his furs. 



"'Where did you leave your furs?' he enquired. 



"'Made a cache of them,' said the Indian. 



"'But, man, the Carcajou will get them; there are plenty 

 in your hunting grounds,' replied Mr. Anderson. 



'"No, no; no fear; I'll frighten the Carcajou, I think, if 

 he tries to get my pack.' 



"'How did you make the cache?' 



"'I wrapped the furs in birch-bark, and tied the bundle at 

 the end of a large branch twice as high as myself from the 

 ground.' 



"'Well, that will not keep the Carcajou away. He will 

 climb the tree and jump at the pack and bring it down with 

 him.' 



"'No; I think not,' said the Indian, with a smile. *I 

 fastened two of my little dog-sleigh bells to the pack with a bit 

 of sinew. When the Carcajou comes crawling down the branch 

 to get at the pack, he will ring the little bells, and then you 

 know how quick he'll jump back again and run off. I have 

 tried this trick before, and it never failed me. No fear; the 

 Carcajou will not get my furs." 



Somewhat on similar lines is an effectual method that I 

 learnt from J. W. Tyrrell and put in practice during my 

 journey in the far north. The cache is made weather-proof 

 and rain-proof, then left high in a tree, to whose trunk a final 

 finish is given in the form of a complete necklace of cod 



'» 1863, Vol. I, p. 50. 



