which they receive a sum from the Company, proportioned to the
value of the fur.
In the evening we crossed the Goose Lake, which is a little longer
than Swan Lake, and afterwards the River Sepanach, a branch of the
Saskatchawan, forming an island extending thirty miles above, and
forty below Cumberland-House. We turned to the westward on the
Root Eiver, with enters the Sepanach, and halted on its banks,
having made in direct distance not more than twenty miles since
the 23rd.
We passed the Shoal Lake on the 25th, and then marched twelve
miles through woods and swamps to a hunting tent of the Indians.
It was situated in a grove of large poplars, and would have been no
unpleasant residence if we could have avoided the smoke. A heavy
gale from the westward, with snow, confined us for several days to
this tent. On the 30th two Indians arrived, one of whom named
the Warrior, was well known at the house. We endeavoured to
prevail upon them to set out in quest of moose, which they agreed
to do on receiving some rum. Promises were of no avail; the
smallest present gratification is preferred to the certainty of ample
reward at another period; an unfailing indication of strong animal
passions, and a weak understanding. On our compliance with their
demand they departed.
The next day, I went to the Warrior’s tent, distant about eleven
miles. The country was materially changed : the pine had disappeared,
and gentle slopes, with clumps of large poplars, formed some
pleasing groups: willows were scattered over the swamps. When I
entered the tent, the Indians spread a buffalo robe before the fire,
and desired me to sit down. Some were eating, others sleeping,
many of them without any covering except the breech cloth and a
blanket over the shoulders; a state in which they love to indxdge
themselves till hunger drives them forth to the chase. Besides the
the Warrior’s family, there was that of another hunter named Long