XII 



FROM FORT SMITH TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 



BEFORE we left the Landing for our bison-hunt, Munn 

 and I had decided to make another attempt under 

 Bushy's guidance in case we failed under Jeremi's. But 

 by the time we were back at Fort Smith fifteen days had 

 been consumed instead of the promised six, and my " ex- 

 press " had returned from Fort Resolution. The letter 

 he brought me was not exactly cheering after our de- 

 pressing hunt. Gaudet wrote that the Indians fear en- 

 tering the Barrens at this (winter) season of the year 

 that they take their lives in hand at all seasons, but 

 especially now, with the danger of freezing added to that 

 of starving; that he doubted gaining their consent to ac- 

 company me ; ... however, he had sent Bentah word to 

 come to the post at once. 



As I was already overdue at Resolution, a second bison- 

 hunt, which I should have liked, was out of the question, 

 and so Munn went alone with Bushy, after much difficulty 

 in completing arrangements for a keg of sugar-beer was 

 on tap at Fort Smith. As the beer disappeared, the 

 number of bison multiplied, until, by the time the keg 

 was drained, Bushy had proclaimed acquaintance with 

 the age and disposition of every bison in the country, and 

 assured Munn of heads for himself and friends, and Mc- 

 Kinley of meat enough to last through the winter. I am 

 sorry to add that neither promise was fulfilled. 



