CHIPEWYAN TO BLACK LAKE 



reach of the sound spring to their feet and scamper off to the 

 feeding place, where they find a man in charge of their 

 rations. Forming round in a circle, each dog waits for the 

 portion thrown to him, which he at once trots away with to- 

 enjoy in some quiet retreat. Occasional snarls and fights take 

 place, but it is astonishing to see how orderly Ohipewyan- 

 dogs are able to conduct themselves at a common mess. 



The day after our arrival at the Fort being Sunday, we 

 had our last opportunity for several months of attending 

 Divine service, and were privileged to listen to an excellent 

 sermon preached by His Lordship Bishop Young. Some of 

 our men, being Roman Catholics, were able to avail them- 

 selves of the opportunity of attending mass as well, and of 

 receiving a parting blessing from the priest. 



The next day being the 19th, the date on which Dr. McKay 

 had promised to rejoin us at the Fort, his return with the 

 Grahame was eagerly looked for. We had made all the prep- 

 arations for departure that could be made until he and our 

 supplies should arrive. During the afternoon a strong breeze 

 sprang up from the east, raising a heavy sea, and it was not 

 until sunset that the belated steamer tied up to the wharf. 

 She had had a rough passage, so rough that the Doctor de- 

 clared it was the last time he would ever be a passenger on 

 her in such water; a not unwise resolution, for the steamer,, 

 top-heavy and drawing only about three feet of water, was 

 not' unlikely to roll over in rough weather. 



With the return of the Doctor, Captain Mills and the 

 captain of the Grahame, we now formed a merry party, and 

 spent a pleasant evening at the Doctor's house. Captain Mills 

 and I talked over old-time adventures in Hudson Straits, and 

 recalled many incidents from our mutual experiences in the 

 ISTorth in bygone days. But as the Doctor had determined to- 

 leave again with the steamer on the following day for the 

 Great Slave Lake river posts, there was no time to be lost in 

 social pleasures. In compliance with my brother's request, 



47 



