ugh in that case
I prayed for high water, perhaps God likewise took another
way to show His power, and so saved us out of even greater
danger and discomfort.' He's a bird.

"The Moberly Rapids don't amount to much. We ran them at
1.30--the last on the great chain of rapids, so they say. In
about fifteen minutes we could see Fort McMurray on ahead.
Many scows were lying along the shore, mostly loaded, some
empty. Climbed up a steep hill to a fine flat on top of the
bluff. Woods all around. A fine site for a town, and the
Indians have it. The flat was covered with tepees, also some
tents. There were dogs and dogs and babies and babies
everywhere, with squaws and Indian men walking around all
dressed up in their best. The Indian agent is going to pay
their treaty money. It is only eight hundred and fifty
dollars altogether--not very much, I think. Hear a lot of
talk about lands and towns and railroads and oil.

"There are some Chippewyans here, and a lot of Crees, but
these northern Indians don't speak the Cree language. Got
my moccasins mended. Made some pictures. The _Grahame_ is
the name of the H. B. steamboat which is going to take us
down the river from here. We will tow our scow and sleep on
the steamboat. Monday morning is when we start.

"_Sunday, June 8th._--The treaty payment goes on, although
it is Sunday. Indian men sitting down on the grass before
the commissioner. He asks each one what right he has to
claim money from the Great Father, I suppose. Once in a
while he turns to the clerk and says, 'We'll give this old
duffer twenty bucks.' This doesn't look to me like very much
money. I don't think they get much help. They are poor and
dependent. If they couldn't rustle well out of doors they
all would die. Much trade finery among the natives, who
dress very bright. Several Northwest Mounted Policemen in
red-jacket uniform who go north with us on the boat. She is
going to be crowded. The judge and his party are going on
the scows.

"Well, this is the end of the scow-work for us, so it seems.
Uncle Dick thinks we will be more comfortable on the
steamer, and will see more people to talk to than if we
stuck to our own scow. We will tow her alongside. I hope
they will let us run through the Smith's Landing portage