ream--the same river by which I had come--we made fair speed until
Island Lake stretched before us, when we felt a southwest wind that
threatened trouble; but by making a long detour about the bays of the
southwestern shore the danger vanished. Arriving at the foot of the
portage trail at Bear Rock Rapids, we carried our outfit to a cliff
above, which afforded an excellent camping ground; and there arose the
smoke of our evening fire. The cloudless sky giving no sign of rain,
we contented ourselves with laying mattresses of balsam brush upon
which to sleep. While the sunset glow still filled the western sky, we
heard a man's voice shouting above the roar of the rapids, and on going
to the brink, saw a "York boat" in the act of shooting the cataract.
It was one of the boats of "The Goods Brigade" transporting supplies
for the northern posts of the Hudson's Bay Company. As the craft
measured forty feet in length and was manned by eight men, it was
capable of carrying about seventy packs, each weighing about a hundred
pounds. But of these boat brigades--more in due season.

[Illustration: Going to the brink, saw a "York boat" in the act of
shooting the cataract. It was one of the boats of "The Goods Brigade"
transporting supplies for the northern posts of the Hudson's Bay
Company. As the craft measured forty feet in length and was manned by
eight men, it was capable of carrying about seventy packs, each
weighing about a hundred pounds. But of these boat brigades . . . See
Chapter II.]

After supper, when twilight was deepening, and tobacco--in the smoking
of which the women conscientiously joined--was freely forthcoming, the
subject of conversation turned to woodcraft. Since it fell to
Oo-koo-hoo, as the principal hunter, to keep the party supplied with
game while en route, I was wondering what he would do in case he saw a
bear and went ashore to trail it. Would he himself skin and cut up the
bear, or would he want the women to help him? If the latter, what sign
or signal would he use so that they might keep in touch with him? But
when I questioned Oo-koo-hoo, he replied:

"My white son"--for that is what he sometimes called me--"I see you are
just like all white men, but if you are observant and listen to those
who are wiser than you, you may some day rank almost the equal of an
Indian."

Afterward, when I became better acquainted with him, I learned that
with regard to white men in general, he held the s