INDIAN DOGS. 73 



of year, and consequently weak, so that we only lost one of 

 those which we started. Ou our way home in the evening we 

 came on a lynx, and if there had been sufficient daylight, I think 

 we should have killed it, as they generally go up a tree after a 

 short chase, and can then be very easily shot ; but it got so 

 dark that the dogs ran away from us, and only returned in the 

 middle of the night. 



These Indian dogs are very like wolves, and look as if they 

 must have some wolf blood in them. When going into an 

 Indian camp in the night, it is advisable to carry a thick stick, 

 and to call for some Indian to come out and act as guide, or 

 you might very easily be killed by them. They collect in 

 packs, and though cowards when alone, their number gives them 

 courage, and they will attack a man in a moment. If I was in 

 an Indian camp and wished to leave it, meaning to return, I 

 used alwuys to borrow an Indian's blanket, and cover myself 

 entirely with it, when the dogs would come and smell me and 

 let me pass. 



On the third day Badger and I returned to our house, and 

 after resting the dogs for a day, we started again for the fort 

 to arrange for having our horses, which had been herded with 

 the fort band, brought out to the house. Travelling was fairly 

 good, and we reached the Saskatchawan on the evening of the 

 second day, crossing to the fort in the morning. The river is 

 here about a hundred yards wide, and runs between banks fully 

 two hundred feet high, and on the opposite side stands Fort 

 Carlton. 



Mr. L was very glad to see us, but could not give us 



anything but pemmican, as all game had gone south, and no 

 fresh meat had been brought into the place for a long time ; 



