rge cases or bales
the supplies, and repack them in "pieces," as they are called in the
language of the country. These pieces will each weigh from eighty to a
hundred pounds. The cargoes are put up in this way on account of the
many portages which have to be made, where the whole outfit has to be
carried on the men's shoulders, supported by a strap from the forehead.
It is laborious work, but these Indians are stalwart fellows, and now
being homeward bound, they worked with a will.

Most of them were at this time Christians. So they tarried at the
mission for a little time to say "Farewell" and to take on board
Astumastao and two or three other Indian women, who had been wooed with
such rapidity that ere the short visit of a few weeks rolled round all
arrangements had been made and some pleasant little marriage ceremonies
had taken place in our little church.

These marriages were a great joy to Astumastao as her intensely
practical character saw that the coming to her distant country of some
genuine Christian young women would be very helpful in the more rapid
extension of Christianity. Indeed, "Dame Rumour," who lives there as
well as elsewhere, said that she had a good deal to do in introducing
some of the shy, timid bachelor Indians of the Nelson River brigade to
some of the blushing damsels whom she had, in her judgment, decided
would make good wives for them and also be a blessing in their new
homes. Various amusing stories were flying about for a long time in
reference to some of the queer misadventures and mixing up of the
parties concerned ere everything was satisfactorily arranged and
everybody satisfied. Among a people so primitive and simple in their
habits this could quickly be done, as no long months were required to
arrange jointures or marriage settlements, or a prying into the state of
the bank accounts of either of the parties concerned.

But all these things have been attended to, and the long journey begun.
It was a matter of thankfulness that no boats were smashed on the rocks
or lives lost in the raging waters. The women looked well after the
cooking of the meals and the mending of garments torn in the rough
portages. Every morning and evening they read from the good book and
had prayers. Often in the long gloaming of those high latitudes, when
the day's work was done, they clustered around the camp fire on the
great, smooth granite rocks, with the sparkling waters of lake or river
in f