36 ON SNOW-SHOES TO THE BARREN GROUNDS 



said, was the best man in the country, trustworthy and a 

 good traveller, and had spoken to another half-breed, who 

 was just then struggling to make up his mind. Added to 



HALF-BREED' DOG DRIVER 



this pleasing intelligence, the snow-shoes were being made 

 by an Indian who lived fifteen miles away, and from whom 

 nothing had been heard. I thought we were at least sure 

 of " Shot " ; but the next day he came to us with a large 

 story of his worth, of the sacrifices he would make by 

 going with us, and finally ended by refusing to budge un- 

 less we doubled the wages upon which he and Gairdner 

 had agreed. 



For the remainder of this and the next day life was a 

 burden to me. Gairdner was absolutely of no use, as he 

 could have been by standing between us and the Indians 

 in our negotiations. I was obliged to take matters into my 



