30 ACROSS THE SUB-ARE€TICS OF CANADA, 
great confidence in the skill of our Iroquois men at 
navigating rapids, and now in the succeeding eighty 
miles of the trip there would be ample opportunity of 
testing it. 
On the morning following our arrival at the Grand 
Rapid, being the 4th of June, a number of mission 
scows, loaded with goods for Chippewyan and other 
mission stations, arrived. As they appeared, following 
each other in quick succession around a bend in the 
river, each boat manned by its wild-looking crew of 
half-naked Indians, all under the command of Schott, 
the big well-known river pilot, who is credited by Mr. 
Ogilvie with being the fastest dancer he has ever seen, 
they drew in towards the east bank, and one after the 
other made fast to the shore. The boats were at once 
boarded by Inspector Howard and his men, and a care- 
ful search made for any illegal consignments of “ fire- 
water.” Liquor in limited quantities is allowed to be 
taken into the country when accompanied by an official 
permit from the Lieut.-Governor of the Territories, but 
without this it is at once confiscated when found. Out 
of deference to those for whom these cargoes were con- 
signed, I had better not say whether a discovery was 
made on this occasion or not. When confiscations are 
made, however, the find is, of course, always destroyed. 
The news of the arrival of the secows was welcomed by 
us, not because of anything they brought with them, 
but because we expected to obtain directions from 
Schott regarding the running of the many rapids in the 
river ahead, and the transport of the bulk of our canoe 
loads to Fort McMurray, below the rapids. After some 
consideration, rather less than most Indians require to 
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4 
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