to live so isolated from the rest of the world that they must be
entirely independent of it. One thing more they must not forget, and
that is a liberal supply of dog shoes, and so on this trip they take
over a hundred.

In selecting his Indian companions, the missionary's first thought is
for a suitable guide, as much depends on him. The one chosen for this
trip was called Murdo, a very reliable man, who had come originally from
Nelson River. Very clever and gifted are some of these Northern guides.
Without the vestige of a track before them, and without, the mark of an
axe upon a tree, or the least sign that ever human beings had passed
that way before, they stride along on their big snow-shoes day after
day, without any hesitancy. The white man often gets so bewildered that
he does not know east from west or north from south; but the guide never
hesitates, and is very seldom at fault. To them it makes no difference
whether the sun shines or clouds obscure the sky, or whether they
journey by day or night. Sometimes it is necessary to do much of the
travelling by night, on account of the reflection of the dazzling rays
of the sun on the great, brilliant wastes of snow giving the travellers
a disease called snow-blindness, which is painful in the extreme. To
guard against this, travelling is frequently done through the hours of
night, and the sleep secured is during the hours of sunshine.

Yet the experienced guide will lead on just as well by night as by day.
To him it makes no difference what may be the character of the night.
Stars may shine, auroras may flash and scintillate, and the moon may
throw her cold, silvery beams over the landscape, or clouds may gather
and wintry storms rage and howl through the forest; yet on and on will
the guide go with unerring accuracy, leading to the desired camping
ground.

With this guide, three dog drivers, and Oowikapun, the missionary
commenced his first journey to Nelson River.

The contemplated trip had caused no little excitement, not only on
account of its dangers, but also because it was the pioneering trip for
new evangelistic work among a people who had never seen a missionary or
heard the name of Jesus. And so it was that, although the start was
made very early in the morning, yet there were scores of Indians
gathered to see the missionary and his party off, and to wish them
"Godspeed" on their glorious work.

The hasty farewells were soon said, and parting f