rew of Red River half-breeds, out for the great spring buffalo
hunt. It consisted of nearly 700 hunters, as many women, more than 400
children, and upwards of 1000 carts, with horses and draught oxen,
besides about 700 buffalo-runners, or trained hunting-horses, and more
than 500 dogs. These latter, although useless in the spring hunt, were,
nevertheless, taken with them, fed, and cared for, because of their
valuable qualities as draught animals for light sledges in winter.

Some of the hunters were steady-going and respectable enough; others
were idle, thriftless fellows, who could not settle to farming in the
colony, and even in the chase were lazy, bad hunters. The women were
there for the purpose of attending to camp duties--cooking, dressing the
buffalo skins, making bags from the animals' green hides, with the hair
left on the outside, and filling the same with pemmican.

This substance, as we have elsewhere remarked, is by no means
unpalatable; it is very nutritious, and forms the chief food of the
hundreds of voyageurs who traverse Rupert's Land in boats and canoes
during the open season of the year. It must be understood, however,
that the compost is not attractive in appearance. It is made in the
open air by women who are not very particular in their habits. Hence,
during windy weather, a modicum of dust is introduced into it. Even
stray leaves and twigs may get into it at times, and it is always
seasoned more or less profusely with buffalo hairs. But these are
trifles to strong and hungry men.

Two trips to the plains were made annually by these hunters. The
proceeds of the spring hunt were always sold to supply them with needed
clothing, ammunition, etcetera, for the year. The "fall or autumn hunt"
furnished them with their winter stock of food, and helped to pay off
their debts, most of them being supplied on credit. Sometimes the fall
hunt failed, in which case starvation stared the improvident among them
in the face, and suffering, more or less severe, was the lot of all.

Little, however, did the reckless, jovial half-breeds care for such
considerations on the occasion about which we write. It was the spring
hunt. The year was before them. Health rolled in the veins and hope
revelled in the breasts of all as they mounted their steeds, and sallied
forth to the chase.

Ah! it was a memorable day for Victor, when, at early dawn, he vaulted
into the saddle of the horse lent to him, and went