CHIPEWYAN TO BLACK LAKE 



appeared to be very indifferent as to whether or not he should 

 go any farther with us. Indeed he seemed more inclined to 

 remain with his friends, for to accompany us meant more 

 exertion for him than he was fond of. Various reasons were 

 given why he must remain at this place; but after much 

 parleying, and the offer of liberal inducements, he promised 

 to secure a companion canoeman and follow our track in the 

 morning. With this understanding we parted, and proceeded 

 along the south shore until evening, when, finding an inviting 

 camping-ground in the open jack-pine woods, we went ashore, 

 where the cooks soon prepared supper — with us the principal 

 meal of the day. 



So far our fare had been exceedingly good, for it had been 

 the policy to dispose of luxuries as soon as possible, in order 

 to reduce the weight of the loads on the portages. Our 

 limited stock of canned fruits was, therefore, used with a free 

 hand at first. 



June clofed with a bright, clear and unusually calm day, 

 which was also marked by the absence of mosquitos and black 

 flies. Under these unusual circumstances, at noon-hour, an 

 event occurred which was seldom repeated during the re- 

 mainder of our journey, viz., the taking of a bath. 



Just as lunch was ready we were again joined by Moberly 

 and his companion, an old Indian named Bovia. We were 

 glad, and not a little surprised, to see them, for we had a sus- 

 picion that the guide had no serious intention of keeping his 

 promise. During the afternoon, however, as before, his canoe 

 lagged far behind, not so much because of his inability to 

 keep up with us as because of his serene indifference and 

 laziness. The paddles used by him and his comrade were 

 like spoons as compared with our broad blades, and the 

 position of old Bovia, as he pulled with one elbow resting on 

 the gunwale of his canoe, was most amusing. By this way of 

 travelling it was very evident that the guides were going to 

 be a drag rather than a help to us, so it was resolved that 



57 



