170 THE ARCTIC PRAIRIES 



"At 9.30 we heard a Ruffed Grouse drumming, the 

 last of the season, also a Bittern pumping, some Cranes 

 trumpeting, and a Wood Frog croaking. Snipe were 

 still whirring in the sky. Saw Common Tern. 



"At 10.15, still light, we camped for the night and 

 made another meal. The Indians went out and shot 2 

 Muskrats, making 7 the total of these I have seen in 

 the country. This is the very lowest ebb. Why are 

 they so scarce? Their low epoch agrees with that of 

 the Rabbits. 



"July 17. — Rose at 6 (it should have been 4, but the 

 Indians would not rouse); sailed north through the 

 marsh with a light east breeze. At noon this changed 

 to a strong wind blowing from the north, as it has done 

 with little variation ever since I came to the country. 

 These Indians know little of handling a boat and re- 

 sent any suggestion. They maintain their right to 

 row or rest, as they please, and land when and where 

 they think best. We camped on a sand-bar and waited 

 till night; most exasperating when we are already be- 

 hind time. The Indians set a net, using for tie- 

 strings the bark of the willow (Salix bebbiana). They 

 caught a Jack-fish. Reached Stony Island at night, 

 after many stops and landings. The Indians land 

 whenever in doubt and make a meal (at my expense), 

 and are in doubt every two hours or so. They eat by 

 themselves and have their own cook. Billy cooks for 

 us, i.e., Preble, Weeso, and myself. Among the crew 

 I hear unmistakable grumblings about the food, which 

 is puzzling, as it is the best they ever had in their lives; 

 there is great variety and no limit to the quantity. 



