[BURPEE] YORK FACTORY TO THE BLACKFEET COUNTRY 343 
cloathing. My Winter rigging is almost in readiness. Drumming, 
Dancing, & feasting. 
27. Wednesday. Travelled S.S.E. 10 miles; & came to another 
Creek, where there are plenty of Beaver houses. Level land, and ledges 
of small woods; Saw neither Beast nor Bird to-day. 
28 & 29. Thursday & Friday. Indians employed killing Beaver. 
30. Saturday. The men went to look out for Beaver houses: found 
20 very nigh us; killed 6 Cats, each as large as a sheep, and fine eating, 
like lamb.? | 
December 1. Sunday. No frost here more than in the middle of 
summer. Indians killed a few Beaver. 
2. Monday. Strong gale with Snow & Sleet. Obliged to remove 
into thick woods. 
3 to 4. Tuesday. Frosty weather: it is now very cold: Indians 
pitched away from us; So that we stand in Number Viz Myself, 2 Men, 
5 Women & 4 Children: killed 7 Beaver. 
5 to 7. Thursday. Strong gale with freezing, drifting, weather: 
killed one Moose: My companions hath neither Powder nor Shot: So 
that we must use the gun but seldom, as they now depend on me; 
Women making Shoes of Moose leather: I have as yet only wore Shoes 
with the hair on the inside, so moderate hath the weather been. 
8. Sunday. Men employed make Sleds of Birch, for the Women 
& Horses. 
9. Monday. A Strong frost last night: killed 2 Beaver & one Cat. 
10. Tuesday. Travelled East 4 Miles: Level land: ledges of 
woods & ponds of water: saw plenty of Moose but did not disturb them: 
bad walking; the ice will neither bear nor break down. 
11 & 12. Wednesday. Broke open several Beaver houses but got 
none: The Men must look out for Beaver as they have no Ammunition 
& I am resolved to take care of mine, neither would it be prudent to 
expend Ammunition in a Beaver Country. 
13. Friday. Killed one Beaver. 
14. Saturday. Rained all last night & this day, so that it hath 
left little snow or ice: The Moose & Waskesew passing & repassing in 
herds, within 200 yards of our tent: The men beg Ammunition from 
me, but without success. 
15. Sunday. Travelled none. Killed one Moose with the Bow 
and Arrows. 
16. Monday. Travelled 5 Miles N.E.b.N. Level land, & plenty 
of woods: saw a great many Moose. 

1 Puma, or mountain lion. 
