TJie Home of the IVolvcrctie and Beaver. 57 



northward, and entering a much narrower river 

 arrived eventually at Lake Sal, the furthest that 

 they could reach by water. Carts were sent down 

 from Osnaburg House for the stores, and a couple 

 of horses for Paul and Lefranc, so leaving their 

 baggage to follow them in the vehicles, the young- 

 man and his companion mounted, and in due 

 course arrived at their destination. 



The Hudson's Bay trading station or fort named 

 Osnaburg House stands on the north-east end of 

 Lake Joseph, a considerable sheet of water, abound- 

 ing with fish, and most beautiful in its scenery. 

 The station consisted of several dwelling and store 

 houses, enclosed within a large rectangular barricade 

 built of stout logs, and having at each of the four 

 corners a block-house, pierced with loop-holes for 

 the discharge of musketry and small cannon. The 

 time was when these safeguards were absolutely 

 necessary, when the red man hung about the 

 skirts of the pine forest, watching with the un- 

 tiring vigilance of his race for some oversight or 

 carelessness on the part of the white intruders. 

 Lulled into security by the absolute quiet reigning 

 around, the little garrison would relax in vigilance, 

 the gates would sometimes be left open for an 

 hour at a time, and the cartridges with which the 

 swivels were loaded became damp and useless. 



