38 THROUGH THE MACKENZIE BASI]^ 



So far it had been the rain and consequent bad tracking 

 which had delayed us ; but still we were too weak-handed ' 

 to make headway without help, ^ud it was at this juncture 

 that the Police contingent stepped manfully into the breach, 

 and volunteered to track one of the boats to the lake. This 

 was no light matter for men unaccustomed to such beastly 

 toil and in such abominable weather; but, having once put 

 their hands to the rope, they were not the men to back down. 

 With unfaltering " go " they pulled on day after day, land- 

 ing their boat at its destination at last, having worked in the 

 harness and at the sweeps, without relief, from the start 

 almost to the finish. 



Meanwhile all enjoyed good health and spirits in spite of 

 the weather. There were fair grounds for the belief that Mr. 

 Koss, who had set out by trail from Edmonton, would reach 

 the lake in time to distribute to the congregated Indians 

 and half-breeds the Government rations stored there for that 

 purpose, and, therefore, our anxiety was not so great as it 

 would otherwise have been. 



Our trackers being thus reinforced, the outlook was more 

 satisfactory, not so much in increased speed as in the cer- 

 tainty of progress. The rain had ceased, and though the sky 

 was still lowering, the temperaj;ure was higher. Tents were 

 struck, and the boats got under way at once, taking chances 

 on the weather, which, instead of breaking up in another 

 deluge, improved. Eight men were now put to each line, 

 Peokus, a remarkable old Blackfoot Indian, captured and 

 adopted in boyhood by the Crees, and who afterwards 

 attracted the attention of us all, being detailed to lead the 

 Police gang, who, raw and unused to the work, required an 

 experienced tracker at their head. 



The country passed through hitherto was rolling, hilly, 

 and densely forested, but, alas, with prostrate trunks and 

 fire-blasted " rampikes," which ranged in all directions in 

 desolate profusion. The timber was Banksian pine, spruce 

 poplar and birch, much of it merchantable, but not of large 

 size. It was pitiful to see so much wealth destroyed by 



