3UU THE CAMP. 



three dogs, laden with 200 pounds of stores and 

 provisions ; the Indians led the way on snow-shoes, 

 and my party — who had not those convenient 

 appendages — brought up the rear. Our road lay 

 first across the frozen river, which requii'ed much care 

 and toil, for the ice was jumbled up in chaotic 

 confusion, presenting sharp points and edges which 

 hurt the feet, and many irregular masses projecting 

 twelve or fifteen feet from the surface. After crossing 

 the river, and ascending the steep banks upon the 

 opposite side, we entered upon dense woods, and 

 continued until sunset, when a halt was made for the 

 night, and all set about preparing the encampment. 

 A spot was chosen where dead trees abounded, which 

 some proceeded to fell, others cleared the snow from 

 a space, using their snow-shoes as shovels : some cut 

 do\vn small pines, of which the brush was laid down 

 to serve as the floor of the camp, and the stems were 

 arranged for shelter at the back and sides ; with om^ 

 large party, two compartments were necessary, a heap 

 of blazing logs lying between them ; and when all 

 was completed, a very snug, but of course airy, 

 resting-place invited us to repose, which after a hearty 

 supper of pemmican was responded to by all. So 

 long as the big fire blazed away merrily, the cold did 

 not touch one greatly, but by-and-by, when all were 



