Picked from the Prairie Province 243 



sung out : " Batteese ! You see dem try rob me of 

 my chance ? Mean trick dat dey do, hey ? " But 

 all Batteese said was, "Good my brudder!" 



That ended the sport for the time, and at last we 

 caught the flash of distant open water, near which 

 was what looked like a doll's house, or some crumb 

 of civilization dropped from a balloon. Breed bands 

 had cut the rough materials miles away, then put 

 them together under Thompson's directions, while 

 the door, window, and dressed boards for inside 

 work had been shipped from Winnipeg and hauled 

 the final stage. As I soon learned, it was a mighty 

 snug shack. The long rows of nails upon the north 

 wall suggested that somebody had prepared for 

 great numbers of duck, but the south side was more 

 interesting because it supported a rough lean-to 

 under which lay a big skiff and two fine cedar 

 canoes. Inside each craft were stowed two light 

 paddles, a long punting-paddle, and a dozen hollow 

 decoys. There is no danger in leaving things that 

 way. The natives never meddle. If one happened 

 along, he possibly might borrow a few decoys, a 

 paddle, or even a canoe, but everything used would 

 be carefully replaced, while word of such using 

 would be sent the owner at the first opportunity. 



When the stuff had been unloaded and properly 

 stored, Batteese made a fire and prepared bacon, 

 eggs, bread, and tea for all hands. The ponies were 

 watered, hobbled, and allowed to graze, and the boats 

 were lifted from their shelter and carefully examined. 

 They proved to be in perfect condition. The 

 huge punt was a queer craft. " She's my trading- 

 schooner," said Thompson, laughingly. " When I 



