RUNNING THE RAPIDS 



lodges, were encamped at tKe place, and were to be seen in 

 groups here and there idly putting in the time, while every- 

 where their mangy canines skulked and prowled about, seek- 

 ing what they might devour — old moccasins, pack-straps, etc., 

 apparently being their favorite dainties. 



Naturally, our first inquiry upon arriving at the Fort was 

 whether or not our two men and canoe from Isle-a-la-Orosse 

 had arrived ; but the appearance of an upturned " Peter- 

 borough " on the shore soon answered the question, and a few 

 minutes later two stout half-breeds made their appearance, 

 .and informed us they were the men who had been sent by 

 Mr. Moberly to meet us. My brother had expected two men 

 who had accompanied him on his trip of the previous year; 

 but they having been unable to come, these two, Jim Corrigal 

 ■and Prangois Maurice, had been engaged in their stead. Jim 

 was a man of middle age, tall and of muscular frame ; while 

 his companion was probably not more than twenty years of 

 age, and in appearance rather short and of heavy build. Jim 

 ■spoke English fairly well, though Cree was his tongue; but 

 Prangois, while speaking only very broken English, could 

 ■converse in Prench, Cree and Chipewyan, his knowledge of 

 the last making him subsequently very useful as an inter- 

 preter. 



Our party, consisting of eight men, with three canoes, was 

 now complete, and thus assembled, the cleanest available 

 ground remote from Indian lodges was chosen, and camp 

 pitched to await the arrival of the four hundred pounds of 

 supplies left with Schott at Grand Rapid. We soon found we 

 -were not the only ones waiting, and that anxiously, for the 

 arrival of the scows from the south. The entire population 

 then at Port McMurray was in a state of famine. Supplies 

 at the post, having been insufficient for the demand, had be- 

 <;ome exhausted, and the Indians who had c'ome in to barter 

 their furs were thus far unable to obtain food in exchange, 

 and were obliged, with their families, to subsist upon the few 



39 



