th 



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ON SNOIVSHOES AND DOG-SLEDS. 221 



Woods, where it was decided to camp. Upon the open 

 plains we found the snow hard and in good condition 

 for travelling, so that the teams trotted along easily 

 with their heavy loads. 



Showshoe travel was also comparatively easy for 

 ose whose legs were sound, but the moment we en- 



O 



tered the woods down sank shoes and dogs into the 

 soft, light snow. In soft snow it is necessary for 

 the guide or track-breaker to wear very large shoes, 

 that he may not sink too deeply, but those who follow 

 in his trail get along with the more ordinary size. 



The snowshoes used by Jimmie, the guide, were 

 about five feet long and eighteen inches wide, whereas 

 those used by the rest of us varied from three to three 

 and a half feet in length and from ten to twelve inches 

 in breadth. The guide's large shoes were made some- 

 what after the Montreal model, symmetrical on either 

 side, framed of one stick and slightly bent up at the 

 toe, but those used by the rest were of very different 

 make, and more peculiar design. Though we purchased 

 them from the Hudson's Bay Company at Churchill, 

 they were made by the Chippewyan Indians. Their 

 shoes are not made symmetrically, but are constructed 

 with great bulges upon their outer sides, and are formed 

 of two pieces of wood, tied together at both ends and 

 held apart in the middle by cross-bars, while the toes 

 are turned up with a sharp curve. 



Having reached the shelter of the Eastern Woods, 

 and concluded the first day's march, a camping-place 

 was chosen. The drivers of the teams at once proceeded 

 to unharness the dogs, make beds for them of spruce 



