CHAPTER III 



FISHING, AND OTHER SUMMER OCCUPATIONS 



A GREAT migration of small birds from this district took 

 place at the approach of winter ; but big game, on the 

 contrary, seemed to be more abundant when the snow 

 was on the ground. Very few large animals approached 

 our camp during the summer ; but they were not much 

 sought after at this season, the pelts mostly being out 

 of condition. Fish was much relied on for animal food 

 till the waters became frozen, and the women spent a 

 large portion of their time seeking it. The occupations 

 of the summer months were largely preparations for the 

 winter huntings, though, on this occasion, the hunters 

 being back early from the depot had a great deal of spare 

 time on their hands, which they spent in lounging about 

 and smoking, when not engaged in snow-shoe and fishing- 

 line making. 



The half-breed imitated the Indians in his treatment 

 of his women, and his wife and daughter were the 

 drudges of the camp. When I went fishing the squaw 

 would usually be commanded to accompany me, either to 

 carry the catch or to manage the canoe, as the case 

 might be, and the girl, Emma, would often accompany 

 us. The women liked these little expeditions, especially 

 when Andrew was in a bad humour, not an infrequent 

 occurrence, for he was rather an ill-tempered fellow. 

 Chom, the squaw, would often say, "Fine day. Why 

 not go fish ? Plenty fish to-day," and we would make 

 an early start, the woman or her daughter carrying the 

 canoe on her head, and thus we would proceed overland 



