26 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



The whole of the Red Men in the district broke up, 

 or perhaps I should rather say assembled (for they were 

 scattered all over the country), into small parties of four, 

 five, or six, generally relations. I knew of no instances 

 where single Indians went to hunt alone. In many cases 

 the squaws were taken. Only very old men, women, and 

 children were left behind in the wigwams. Hand-sleighs 

 of light construction were taken by many of the parties ; 

 others, who departed more lightly equipped, deferred 

 making these sleighs until they had obtained pelts to 

 load them with. The hand-sleigh is constructed much 

 on the same principle as the snow-shoes, with the addi- 

 tion of slight cross and side timbers, and is drawn by 

 means of skin-ropes, and enables the hunter to draw 

 burdens of two or three hundredweight with ease. 



The hunting-parties did not always stay away from 

 their homes for any length of time; but if successful 

 in their search for game soon returned with their spoils, 

 and in a day or two made a fresh start. But as the 

 season advanced, and the snow became firmly frozen, 

 they were often away for considerable periods. Game, 

 also, was not abundant near the encampment, through, no 

 doubt, having been frightened away by much persecution. 

 The method of hunting, and providing for the hunter's 

 necessaries in the forests and wilds, will best be learned 

 from a description of my own experiences. 



I, of course, joined with my friends Andrew Whitting 

 (the half-breed), Monchuapiganon (Tom), and Chucko- 

 chilgegan (Sam) ; all of them old hands and much 

 experienced hunters. Andrew at first thought to take 

 the squaw and his daughter ; but the two Indians opposed 

 the intention, as, I need scarcely say, I did myself, think- 

 ing it cruelty to expose two women to the hardships of 

 forest life ; though, it is to be noted, I did not at this 

 time know how hardy the Indian women are, nor that 

 camping-out in this severe climate is by no means so 

 trying as it may be imagined. 



