Mr J. F. Sloane on Thirst in Snow-covered Countries. 67 



But it is in the woods and sheltered places only that those 

 who inhabit the Adids of the northern parts of America, during 

 winter, have the means and opportunity to boil a kettle. On 

 the plains, in many places, during that season, no fuel can be 

 procured ; the cold, too, is so exceedingly intense as to ren- 

 der a delay to look for firewood often most hazardous, and at 

 all times very inconvenient ; for, should the wind become vio- 

 lent, as not unfrequently happens, it tears up the surface of the 

 snow, and bears it along in such clouds as to obscure the sun, 

 and to hinder even the Indian for days from proceeding on his 

 journey. 



During these snow-storms, and in such situations, the value 

 the Canadian generally attaches to his dogs, can be most correctly 

 appreciated. The stranger who sees the voyageur paying L.50 

 for three small animals, is disposed to laugh at the simplicity of 

 the purchaser. Larger animals of the same kind would unques- 

 tionably appear more deserving of the price ; but even the 

 largest, most men would be disposed to think, were, at that 

 sum, far too dearly purchased. But suppose this Canadian 

 overtaken by such a storm, in the middle of an extensive plain ; 

 ignorant of the direction of his home ; the path leading to it 

 covered, in many parts, with ten or twelve feet deep of snow ; 

 and the atmosphere so filled with drift as to render it impossible 

 for him to see the foremost of his three Httle dogs, — this man, 

 apparently so helpless, so certain of being lost, who prides him- 

 self in watching and directing, on other occasions, even the 

 slightest movements of his canine companions, throws himself 

 on his sledge, calls to the animals to advance, leaves it to them 

 entirely to determine whether they shall go to the north or 

 south, east or west. His anxiety about his safety, if at all ex- 

 cited, lasts only while they are dragging him, in all directions, 

 to recover that path which the wisdom of man compelled them 

 to abandon : for, by the barking of the leader, he quickly learns 

 that the tract has been regained ; and then sweeping, like the 

 wind, over the slender crust of snow, through which larger dogs 

 sink, and flounder, and perish with fatigue, he is carried to his 

 own fort, or to the nearer tents of some friendly Indians. I 

 have seen all this ; I have experienced it. 



Sometimes the traveller finds it safest to remain until the 



e2 



