100 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



attracted from a neighbouring camp by the unusual sounds 

 of music and dancing. 



Monkman started a few minutes before us on the fol- 

 lowing morning, and we had the advantage of the road 

 he made, which, however, was not much gain, as a good 

 track had already been formed between Leech Lake and 

 Crow Wing. After a fair day's journey through magni- 

 ficent pine forests, both parties camped close together, 

 about forty-four miles from our destination. 



Cline began to pluck up his courage, which had re- 

 ceived a check when he found Monkman pushing on 

 until midnight in order to overtake us at Cass Lake. If 

 we had not been compelled to wait for the heavily laden 

 sledges we should have made much longer daily journeys, 

 and no doubt Monkman would have traveled more 

 rapidly. Fifty miles a day with light carioles and good 

 dogs, would not have been out of the way. On the night 

 of the 12th we slept for the last time in the woods, and 

 both travelers and half-breeds looked forward with some 

 anxiety to the race on the morrow. Monkman and Cline 

 had agreed that both parties should start together in the 

 order in which they camped, and our fire was made about 

 one hundred yards in advance of Monkman's. 



We rose at three and started at five ; the thermometer 

 showed a few degrees below zero, but the air was still, and 

 the almost illimitable pine forest completely hushed, not 

 the slightest breath disturbing the tall and light tops of 

 the trees. We ran on in silence for half an hour, the 

 hungry dogs themselves appeared to be sensible that their 

 long journey was drawing to a close, for scarcely a note 

 of encouragement or reproval was uttered by the half- 

 breeds. My cariole led the way, the others of my party 

 following close in the rear. Some forty minutes after we 

 had started, the dogs being thoroughly warm at their 



