ON SNOWSHOES AND DOG-SLEDS 



smouldering wood fire, from which the circling smoke 

 ascended to find its way through the chimney, while 

 huddled around it by the wall were the old Indian, his 

 squaw and their children. Deerskin cushions were offered 

 us, and as we seated ourselves more wood was piled on the 

 fire. 



William Westasecot was a much older man than his 

 brother, for his long flowing locks were already whitened 

 with age, though he still appeared strong and athletic. 

 Presents of tobacco were passed around; pipes were then 

 lighted, and information sought and obtained, both by our- 

 selves and the Indian. We found that William had seen 

 and killed only one deer for some weeks past, and was now 

 almost out of food and entirely out of ammunition. We 

 supplied him with the latter, and told him where, within a 

 day's travel, he might supply himself with the former. 



From him we learned that the great Nelson River, which 

 we expected to reach within two or three days, was still quite 

 open, and that we should find a large boat, in which we might 

 cross, some miles up the river. It was arranged, also, .that 

 William's elder son should accompany us to York, and assist 

 by hauling a flat sled. 



Guilford LolMq^^ 

 Ma^ 2.7 

 1153 



-RoBEHT-VoWLcaiUk '^^ Qeo-.TSrior 



y -^78 7 



FACSIMILE OF INSCRIPTION ON ROCK AT SLOOP'S COVE. 



14 209 



