10 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



expert at this than others, it often happens that the bulk of the 

 work is done by a few who engage in it as a matter of business. 

 Birch bark for canoe building is taken from the tree early in 

 May. The chosen section, which may run from four to eight 

 feet in length, is first cut at the top and bottom; then a two- 

 inch strip is removed from top to bottom in order to make 

 room for working a chisel-shaped wooden wedge — about two 

 feet long — with which the bark is taken off. Where knots 

 appear great care is exercised that the bark be not torn. To 

 make it easier to pack, the sheet of bark is then rolled up the 

 narrow way, and tied with willow. In this shape, it is trans- 

 ported to the summer camping grounds. Canoes range in 

 size all the way from twelve feet to thirty-six feet in length. 

 The smaller size, being more easily portaged, is used by hunters, 

 and is known as a two-fathom canoe. For family use canoes 

 are usually from two and a half to three and a half fathoms 

 long. Canoes of the largest size, thirty-six feet, are called six- 

 fathom or "North" canoes. With a crew of from eight to 

 twelve, they have a carrying capacity of from three to four tons, 

 and are used by the traders for transporting furs and supplies. 

 Some Indians engage in "voyaging" or "tripping" for the 

 traders — taking out fur packs to the steamboats or railroads, 

 by six-fathom canoe, York boat, or sturgeon-head scow bri- 

 gades, and bringing in supplies. Others put in part of their 

 time on an occasional hunt for moose or caribou, or in shooting 

 wild fowl. On their return they potter around camp making 

 paddles or snowshoe frames; or they give themselves up to 

 gambling — a vice to which they are rather prone. Sometimes 

 twenty men or more, divided into equal sides, will sit in the 

 form of an oval, with their hair drawn over their faces that 

 their expression may not easily be read, and with their knees 

 covered with blankets. Leaders are chosen on either side, 

 and each team is supplied with twelve small sticks. The game 

 begins by one of the leaders placing his closed hands upon his 





