BUSINESS AND ROMANCE 303 



hoo's, gave the word; and all together the paddle blades dipped, 

 the water swirled, and on the gunwales the paddle handles 

 thudded as the canoes heaved away. 



The going and coming of the Fur Brigade was the one 

 great event of the year to those nomadic people who stood 

 watching and waving to the fast-vanishing flotilla. Were 

 they not bidding farewell to fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, 

 or lovers, chosen as the best men from their village? Had they 

 not lent a hand in the winning of the treasure that was floating 

 away? If only the pelts in those packs could speak, what 

 tales they would unfold! 



As I looked back the animated picture of the little settlement 

 wherein we figured but a moment before gradually faded into 

 distance. The wild-looking assembly was blotted from the 

 shore. But still above the rapidly dwindling buildings waved 

 the flag of the oldest chartered trading association in the world 

 — the Hudson's Bay Company. 



Between eleven and twelve o'clock the brigade went ashore 

 for a "snack." The canoes were snubbed to overhanging trees, 

 and upon a rocky flat the fires burned. Hurriedly drinking 

 the hot tea, the men seized pieces of frying pork and, placing 

 them upon their broken bannock, ravenously devoured both 

 as they returned to the canoes. No time was lost. Away we 

 went again. Then the brigade would paddle incessantly for 

 about two hours; then they would "spell", and paddles were 

 laid aside "one smoke." As the way slackened the steersmen 

 bunched the canoes. The soft, rich voices of the crews blended 

 as they quietly chatted and joked and laughed together. 



Later, a stern wind came along. Nearing an island, some 

 of the men went ashore and cut a mast and sprit-sail boom for 

 each canoe. They lashed the masts to the thwarts with tump- 

 lines, and rigged the tarpaulins, used to cover the packs, into 

 sails. Again the paddles were shipped, save those of the steers- 

 men; and the crews lounged about, either smoking or drowsing. 



