ACKOSS THE SUB-AKCTICS OP CANADA 



ments were made to give me a lift on one of the sleds. 

 Pierre and Louis were also becoming lame from the use of 

 their snowshoes, to which they were not yet hardened, but 

 were not seriously crippled.* 



During the second day from Churchill a herd of twenty 

 or thirty deer was seen. Some of us were in no mood or con- 

 dition to hunt, but Jimmie, the guide, our own man Jim, 

 and Mr. Matheson went off in pursuit of the band. Several 

 times during the afternoon we crossed the tracks of both 

 deer and hunters, but when we came upon the big tracks of 

 our guide we saw the first signs of success. He had evidently 

 wounded a deer and was giving him a hot chase, for 

 the Indian's strides were right upon those of the caribou, 

 and to one side of the trail spatters of blood could be seen 

 on the snow. Toward evening our train came up with Mr. 

 Matheson and Jim, who had a long but fruitless run after 

 the deer, but nothing could be seen of the guide. Some time 

 after camp had been made for the night Jimmie walked in 

 with a haunch of venison on his shoulder. He had wounded 

 his deer early in the afternoon, but had been obliged to run 

 him many miles before he could again come up with him. 

 Lest the carcase, which was lying some distance from camp, 

 should be devoured by wolves in the night, a team was har- 

 nessed and Jimmie himself, with another man, started off for 

 the meat, which, a few hours later, they brought into camp. 

 As we had had very little fresh meat for some time past, 

 supper of venison steak was gratefully appreciated. 



During the day's march numerous wolf and polar bear 

 tracks had been crossed, but the caribou were the only ani- 

 mals seen. 



*For the benefit of anyone who may be not aware of the fact, I 

 will explain that there are various kinds of lameness commonly 

 produced by the prolonged use of snowshoes. In thus travelling, 

 certain leg muscles which are only accustomed to perform light 

 service are brought into vigorous use, and are very liable to become 

 strained and cause much discomfort and suffering. 



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