Voyageur, the Matchless Leader 155 



rushing down from the regions of Atha- 

 baska or the Rocky Mountains a wind so 

 fierce that when it struck that great Lake 

 Winnipeg, on which now rested so peace- 

 fully that great covering of new-fallen snow, 

 it would lift it up and transform it into 

 cruel blizzards which, like great monsters, 

 would shriek and howl for their victims. 

 Only by the greatest endurance and skill 

 could they escape if suddenly caught, far 

 out from their camp or forest retreat, 



When the Indians communicated their 

 surmisings to the gentlemen in charge, it 

 was decided to make every effort to push on 

 as rapidly as possible. Every available man 

 who could help pack the trail was sent on 

 ahead to make the travelling easier for the 

 dogs. Thus for hours they made good prog- 

 ress, as the storm was still distant and the 

 snow undisturbed. 



When night overtook them they turned 

 into the forest and made their wintry camp. 

 As the younger gentlemen sat around the 

 fire, well wrapped up in their fur garments 

 and eating their suppers, they were inclined 

 to laugh at the fears of the Indians who had 

 predicted a coming blizzard. And it then 

 did seem as though the forebodings of the 



