WINTER TRAVEL 



95 



through the soft snow, plowing their way over logs, riding down 

 saplings and displaying desperate energy until they reached 

 the dark floor of the camp, where they usually "made them- 

 selves awkward " before the sleds were dragged into position 

 at the back and sides of the oblong bed of boughs. After 

 throwing out the blankets and dog fish, we relashed the sleds 

 and covered them with brush to prevent the dogs from gnawing 

 the mooseskin wrappers and the braided caribouskin lines. 

 The mooseskin harness was also hung out of their reach or used 

 as pillows. The fire extended along one side of the camp, the 

 logs being laid up in the form of a very obtuse angle pointing 

 toward us. A pole resting on the walls of snow on either side 

 was placed at our feet, against which the sixteen fish for the 

 dogs were leaned to thaw. The exterior was often burned 

 before the fish were rendered flexible enough to be bent by the 

 hands — when they were considered thawed enough. As soon 

 as they had been taken from the harness the dogs curled them- 

 selves up in the snow and laid very quietly, until we rose to give 

 them their ration, when it behooved the cook to look to his 

 kettles, for the dogs were sure to leap over the outer ends of 

 the logs in their excitement. We then ate our meal of dried 

 meat or hung fish. During the evening the foot gear was 

 changed and dried; no other change of clothing was made for 

 the night. Before the fire died away the men ate a second 

 meal in which I never joined them. 



We used the provision bags and such portions of our load as 

 the dogs could eat for pillows, where our heads did not long 

 rest before we were overcome by the sleep of exhaustion, which 

 was not to be disturbed by the dogs running over us or lying on 

 top of our bodies. The metis or Indians use a single three- or 

 three and a half-point blanket in summer and in winter add a 

 robe of caribou or hareskin. I have seen them sleep without 

 robe or blanket in very cold weather. Each individual laid upon 

 his vest, if so fortunate as to have one, which was not often, and 

 drew his capote over his head and shoulders; every hour or two 

 he rose to add fuel to the fire, and two or three times during the 

 night tea was boiled and a lunch eaten. The natives make a 

 narrow camp and curl up very much after the manner of the 

 hauling dogs. I always had to lengthen my sleeping place by 

 scooping out a pit at the back. Upon this trip I used a sleep- 



