harness used for these is the same, consisting of the strips of 

 buffalo hide, the shape of the collar for the ox being a little 

 different from that of the horse, and so arranged that it will 

 not gall the neck of its wearer. The holdback is so adjusted 

 as to enable the beast of burden to hold back in descending a 

 hill. The carts carry from 300 to 1,000 lbs., and require to 

 be filled by a practised packer. Tour carts are under the 

 charge of one voyageur, and more than that number are fas- 

 tened together, the leading rein of the ox or pony being tied 

 to the tail of the cart ahead. The driver is provided with a 

 gun and a supply of ball, powder and shot. As these are al- 

 ways at his hand he becomes a real ISTimrod of the plains. It 

 happens, quite often, going over prairie trails, crossing rav- 

 ines or sloughs, that cart, load, or ox, may be overturned. 

 To the greenhorn on the plains, or as the Indian calls him, 

 "Moonias," such a disaster seems without remedy. But the 

 skilful voyageur soon spliced his broken trams, replaced his 

 broken railways, and this all done by the ready use of sliagg- 

 anappe, so that the uninjured ox or pony was soon on his way 

 again. The starting of the brigade of carts from Fort Garry, 

 on the Red River, was a great event in the settlement. The 

 first day's march did not exceed eight or ten miles, in order 

 that the beasts of burden might not be overdone at the start. 



THE CAMP. 



After some hours of steady travelling, as the sun stood 

 high in the sky, the welcome stop took place. This was made 

 by some stream or lake. The oxen and horses let loose from 

 their burden, bounded away to the water, into which they 

 plunged neck deep, remaining there safe from the tormenting 

 flies and mosquitoes, until hunger drove them to the pasture 

 awaiting them. The voyageurs at once struck their camp. 

 With the party were a number of women and children, and 

 at once a fire was lit, and the kettle was soon simmering. 

 While this was occurring the Red River bannock was in 

 course of preparation. It was simply flour, water and salt. 

 The dough was kneaded on a bag spread out on a buffalo skin, 

 the cakes were flattened and baked in a frying pan over the 

 fire, and were soon ready. When the water had boiled in the 

 kettle, the pemmican bag was broached, a quantity of it was 

 stirred into the boiling water, flour and salt were added, and 



