302 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



crew; until, for each of the eight canoes, eight men were chosen. 

 Then work began. 



Some went oif with tump-Hne in hand to the warehouse, 

 ascended the massive stairs, and entered the fur loft. Tiers of 

 empty shelves circled the room, where the furs were stored 

 during the winter; but upon the floor were stacked packs of 

 valuable pel ts — the harvest of the fur trade. The old-fashioned 

 scales, the collapsible mould, and the giant fur press told of the 

 work that had been done. Every pack weighed eighty pounds. 

 Loading up, they rapidly carried the fur to the landing. In the 

 storeroom the voyageurs gathered up the "tripping" kit of 

 paddles, tents, axes, tarpaulins, sponges; and a box for each 

 crew containing frying-pans, tea pails, tin plates, and tea-dishes. 

 In the trading room the crews were supplied with provisions of 

 flour, pork, and tea, at the rate of three pounds a day for each 

 man. They were also given tobacco. Most of the voyageurs 

 received "advances" from the clerk in the way of clothing, 

 knives, pipes, and things deemed essential for the voyage. 

 Birch bark, spruce roots, and gum were supphed for repairing 

 the canoes. 



All was now in readiness. The loading of freight began, and 

 when each canoe had received its allotted cargo the voyageurs 

 indulged in much handshaking with their friends, a little quiet 

 talking and affectionate kissing with their families and sweet- 

 hearts. Then, paddle in hand, they boarded their canoes and 

 took their places. 



In manning a six-fathom canoe the bowman is always the 

 most important; the steersman comes next in rank, while the 

 others are called "midmen." 



DEPARTURE OF THE FUR BRIGADE 



Factor Mackenzie and his senior officer, sitting in the 

 guide's or chief voyageur's canoe, which, of course, was Oo-koo- 



