The Land of the Musk-Ox 



ground, showing work of the steel in time gone by. 

 Jones observed that the living trees were no larger 

 in diameter than the stumps, and questioned Rea in 

 regard to the difference in age. 



&quot; Cut twenty-five, mebbe fifty years ago,&quot; said the 

 trapper. 



&quot; But the living trees are no bigger.&quot; 



&quot; Trees an things don t grow fast in the north- 

 land.&quot; 



They erected a fifteen-foot cabin round the stone 

 chimney, roofed it with poles and branches of spruce, 

 and a layer of sand. In digging near the fireplace 

 Jones unearthed a rusty file and the head of a whisky 

 keg, upon which was a sunken word in unintelligible 

 letters. 



&quot; We ve found the place,&quot; said Rea. &quot; Franklin 

 built a cabin here in 1819. An in 1833 Captain 

 Back wintered here when he was in search of Captain 

 Ross of the vessel Fury. It was those explorin* parties 

 thet cut the trees. I seen Indian sign out there, made 

 last winter, I reckon ; but Indians never cut down no 

 trees.&quot; 



The hunters completed the cabin, piled cords of 

 firewood outside, stowed away the kegs of dried fish 

 and fruits, the sacks of flour, boxes of crackers, 

 canned meats and vegetables, sugar, salt, coffee, 

 tobacco all of the cargo; then took the boat apart 



153 



