FORT CHURCHILL. 211 



mission were new and trim, having been only recently 

 erected by the Rev. Jos. Lofthouse, who, with his family, 

 occupied the dwelling. In this ideal little home, from 

 the hour of our arrival at the Fort, we were given a 

 most hearty and hospitable welcome. 



One of the first duties requiring attention, after 

 arranging for rations and shelter, was the treatment of 

 poor Michel's frozen feet, which upon examination were 

 found to be in a shocking condition. Fortunately in a 

 pocket medicine-case the proper remedies for treating 

 him were found, and with attention and care his condi- 

 tion from the first began to improve, though it was 

 evident that at best it would be many weeks, if not 

 months, before he would again be able to walk. 



Having arranged almost immediately upon our arrival 

 at Churchill that we should proceed, southward on foot 

 as soon as the condition of the party (and that of the 

 Churchill River, now running full of ice) would admit, 

 we lost no time in getting into training for the tramp, 

 which would amount to nearly one thousand miles. 

 Daily walks were prescribed for all but Michel, and the 

 stronger of the men were sent out to shoot ptarmigan, 

 so that they might not only exercise their limbs, but, at 

 the same time, supplement their daily rations, in which 

 endeavors they were quite successful. 



As regards my brother and myself, our short constitu- 

 tionals almost invariably ended at the Mission House, 

 where many pleasant hours were spent with Mr. and 

 Mrs. Lofthouse and their little daughter Marjorie. 



From the time of the establishment of the Churchill 

 Mission the history of which would of itself form an 

 interesting chapter to the time of our visit, Mr. and 

 Mrs. Lofthouse had been devoting their lives to the 



