FROM FORT SMITH TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 



trappings are exchanged for more sombre ones. On the 

 morning of the trip's last day the decorated leggings are 

 again put on, but the best moccasins are not brought 

 forth unless the post is to be reached before noon, and 

 the mittens not before the journey is within a few hours 

 of its end sometimes not until the last pipe, which is 

 filled and lighted during a day's running about once every 

 hour and a half as was the case when we halted for our 

 first look at Great Slave Lake, whose glistening surface 

 stretched away to the west far beyond the range of 

 sight. 



It is always customary, too, to stop for a pipe when 

 they come within sight of the journey's end no matter 

 if it is only a couple of miles away and 

 everybody and the dogs are faint with 

 hunger and worn with fatigue. They are 

 true to the philosophy that deems antici- 

 pation better than realization. And so 

 we stood and looked at Resolution and 

 its little line of cabins straggling along 

 the lake's northern shore six miles away, 

 while Mercrede arrayed himself in elab- 

 orately beaded moccasins, and I warmed 

 with thankfulness too deep for words that 

 the final stage of my 900 miles was com- 

 pleted, and the outfitting post for the Bar- 

 ren Grounds in view at last. 



When we arrived at the fort, an hour 

 and a quarter later, Gaudet welcomed me 

 with characteristic Northland heartiness, and there was a 

 commotion among the natives; for the coming of the 

 "white hunter" had been heralded, and they were curious 

 to see what manner of man was this who had penetrated 

 the stupendous North at its most forbidding season. 



SEAUTEAUX SHOE, 



Saskatchewan , 



4 feet long 



