. Then he read over the list, and said, "Let us not forget any
one." Somebody shouted out, "There is an old woman ten miles up the
river towards the old Fort." Somebody else said, "Have you the name of
that boy who was accidentally shot in the leg?" Their names were both
put down. Then somebody says, "There are two or three left behind in
the tent of the pagans, while the rest have come to the feast." "Let us
feed those who have come, and send something with our kind greetings to
the others," is the unanimous response.
When it was certain that none had been overlooked, request was made to
me for all the old newspapers and packing paper I could give them, and
soon loving hands were busily engaged in cutting off large pieces of
different kinds of meat and arranging them with the large flat cakes in
generous bundles. To these were added little packages of tea and sugar.
In this way as many large bundles--each containing an assortment of
everything at the feast--would be made up as there were names on the
paper. Then the chief would call in, from where the young men were
busily engaged in playing football, as many of the fleet runners as
there were bundles, and giving each his load, would indicate the person
to whom he was to give it, and also would add, "Give them our New Year's
greetings and sympathy, and tell them we are sorry they cannot be with
us to-day."
Very delightful were these sights to us. Such things paid us a
thousandfold for our hardships and sufferings. Here, before a mouthful
was eaten by the healthy and vigorous ones, large generous bundles, that
would last for days, were sent off to the aged and infirm or wounded
ones, who in all probability, but for the blessed influences of the
Gospel, if not quickly and cruelly put out of existence, would have been
allowed to linger on in neglect and wretchedness.
Even the young runners seemed to consider that it was an honour to be
permitted to carry these bundles, with the loving messages, to the
distant homes or wigwams where the afflicted ones were. It was quite
amusing to watch them tighten up their belts and dash off like deers.
Some of them had several miles to go; but what cared they on this glad
day?
According to seniority the tables were filled, and the feast began as
soon as the "Grace before Meat" had been sung. Mrs Young had her own
long table, and to it she invited not only the Hudson's Bay Company's
people, but as many of the aged and
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