302 SLAVE INDIANS. 



intervals. We saw numerous tracks of rabbits, 

 martens, foxes, and others, but few of deer, whicli do 

 not abound here as elsewhere. By digging under the 

 snow, cranberries were obtained ; and on bushes grew 

 berries of a sharp acid, which were hard frozen, and 

 melted away in the mouth, contrasting pleasantly with 

 the seeds of the wild rose, which were sweetness 

 itself. 



This journey occupied six days ; in the evening of 

 the 19th we reached our destined habitation, wherein 

 were now comfortably located an Indian with his 

 wife and family, little expecting, good souls ! such 

 unseasonable intrusion. We supped off some delicious 

 salmon-trout caught in Bear Lake, and were glad to 

 go to repose after our fatiguing trip. 



A few days sufficed to settle us into a regular 

 mode of life : two of the Company's men returned to 

 Fort Norman ; the other, with the old Indian, set 

 nets and hooks under the ice in Bear Lake ; our rude 

 hut was thoroughly cleansed, and put to rights ; and 

 arrangements made for the due performance of such 

 slight duties as were necessary. Wood had to be 

 cut regularly for fuel ; a hole made, and kept open in 

 the ice of the lake for water ; and, more than all, the 

 grand duties of the kitchen required much considera- 

 tion, for the unity of material needed an exercise of 



