JOURNAL — A KOMATIK RIDE. 159 



visit, we found four Indians who had come from several hundred 

 miles in the interior, with their fall catch of fur to trade for provisions. 

 As they were journeying in the same direction with us, we pro- 

 ceeded on together. We started about ten o'clock in the forenoon 

 and, after a tedious tramp over the hills, reached the bend of the 

 river, found the boat, and were soon rowing the remaining distance 

 to Bonne Esperance where we arrived in time for supper. 



Tuesday the 7th. The Indians, having finished their trading, 

 returned home this afternoon. 



Saturday the nth. A small party went out in the boat to-day 

 and shot four ducks and a pigeon, which gave us a taste of fresh 

 meat once more. 



Monday the 13th. The men spent a greater part of the day in 

 mending their fish-nets. 



Tuesday the 14th. A flock of ducks appeared just off the 

 island, and we got a shot at them as they clustered, killing seven. 

 In the evening the young folks amused themselves making molasses 

 candy, while the elder people joined heartily with them in the 

 disposal of it. 



Friday the 1 7th. The cow was killed to-day, and we had the first 

 taste of beef we had had for months. 



Friday the 24th. Yesterday I again went "into the river," as it is 

 here called ; that is, went to the settlement up the river, and to-day, 

 the ice being regarded as safe, I had my first real ride on the Labra- 

 dor dog sledge, or komatik, with a native driver as guide. Our team 

 was a small one, only three dogs, but they drew the sled so fast 

 that it might have been twice the number and I not have known 

 it. Along the ice of the river and bays we glided, over low hills 

 and across snow patches, and over grass and moss laid bare by the 

 wind ; we went, literally, "over hill and dell," while we often passed 

 rapidly places flooded with water, where the delay of an instant 

 would have sunk the sledge. Now up some steep hill we helped 

 to pull the sled, while down on the opposite side we went 

 faster than the dogs could go at full gallop. On across the 

 country we went, until, landing upon the very verge of a high 



