THE RED KIVER EXPEDITION. 283 



which the men cooked : they quickly became most 

 expert at lighting fires, cutting down trees, &c., &c. 

 The sun soon burnt them a dark colour ; indeed 

 some became nearly black, the reflection from the 

 water having a very bronzing effect upon the skin. 

 The wear and tear upon their clothes was excessive : 

 carrying loads on their backs tore their shirts and 

 coats, whilst the constant friction from rowing soon 

 wore large holes in their trousers, which, being patched 

 with canvas from the bags in which the beans or other 

 provisions had been carried, gave them a most motley 

 appearance. Leading a sort of amphibious life, they 

 were Avell nicknamed the " canvas - backed ducks." 

 This constant pulling was very monotonous employ- 

 ment ; but we had a goal to reach, and all felt that 

 every stroke of the oar brought us nearer to it. The 

 long portages were most trying to the pluck and 

 endurance of our men, and it is very questionable 

 whether the soldiers of any other nation would or 

 could have gone through the same amount of phys- 

 ical labour that fell to our lot daily. It is upon 

 such occasions that we learn to appreciate the full 

 value of the British officer. He may be idle in 

 peace, but the very amusements of his idle hours 

 boating, shooting, hunting, cricket, &c., &c. fit him 

 to shine, when hard work has to be done, in a manner 

 that would be impossible to the officers of most other 

 armies. Our officers carried barrels of pork and other 

 loads on their backs like the men ; and the emulation 



