68 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



and Campbell had caught 500 white-fish, but he wanted 

 4000 for his winter supply. As soon as the fish are 

 caught in the gill nets, and brought to shore, a slit is 

 made above the tail, through which a pointed stick is 

 pushed. Ten fish are placed on each stick, and the sticks 

 are staged in the open air about nine feet from the ground, 

 beyond the reach of dogs. No curing, cleaning, or any 

 preservative process is employed ; the dry air and frost 

 preserve them until they are needed. The importance 

 of the white-fish in this region may be imagined when it 

 is known that not only does it form the chief food of the 

 Indians in the lake region for a great portion of the year, 

 but three white-fish per diem constitute the sole daily 

 allowance of the half-breeds attached to this Post ; abso- 

 lutely nothing more. Flour, tea, sugar, &c, are luxuries, 

 which, if they wish to indulge in, must be purchased at 

 high prices ; nevertheless, they are healthy, happy, and 

 according to their notions comfortable. 



The white-fish I saw staged at Campbell's might aver- 

 age three to four pounds each. They are considered to 

 be superior to those caught in Lake Winnipeg. This 

 important source of food in these regions is well named 

 At-ik-um-aig, or the Eeindeer of the Waters, by the Ojib- 

 ways. It forms a principal article of diet during a large 

 portion of the year, not only of the Indians, but also of 

 the settlers at Eed Eiver. The price the frozen fish fetch 

 in the settlement is five for a shilling, or 100 for a pound 

 sterling. During our winter journey to Canada, we pur- 

 chased them at Eed Lake, in Minnesota State, at the rate 

 of $6 (£1 9 s.) per hundred, to feed the dogs ; each clog 

 was allowed one white-fish, and a morsel of penimican, as 

 long as the pemmican lasted. 



Indian summer began on the 21st. The weather was 

 warm, " smoky," and very delightful. No boat being yet 



