he weather had now become very pleasant for canoeing, several very
delightful outings were arranged by Mr and Mrs Ross for the young
folks. The boys had become expert canoeists, and in the long gloamings
of the lengthened days in June in those high north lands, they had many
memorable excursions.

As the Indian women and maidens are all experts in handling the paddle,
so it becomes a point of honour among the ladies, young and old, in the
Hudson Bay fort and mission to be able to, at least in a measure,
imitate the dusky, bronzed maidens of the wigwams. Mr Hurlburt had
wisely trained his daughters in this accomplishment. Living as they
did, where there were really no walks except the trails that immediately
led into the primeval forests, where lurking wild beasts were at times
so bold that they came up close to the dwellings of the villagers, it
was really dangerous to go far from home. Canoeing thus became the
great summer recreation and amusement. And for the upper part of the
body there is no better exercise. The result was that Rachel and Winnie
were both skillful and fearless canoeists, and very much enjoyed this,
which has well been called "the poetry of motion."

Mr Ross prided himself on his beautiful, graceful canoes for the summer
time, about as much as he loved his dogs in the long winter months. The
Indians, knowing his love for their graceful canoes, had presented him
with some great beauties, on which they had exercised all their
ingenuity and skill in construction, and their artistic taste in
ornamentation. These were all now in much demand, and merry and happy
indeed was the whole party, as perhaps in six or eight canoes they
started from the little land-locked harbour of Sagasta-weekee. Frank
and Rachel were company enough for one of the prettiest canoes, while
the same could be said of Alec and Winnie in another not less handsome.

To the last, Sam's joy was to have with him the little children, Wenonah
and Roderick. To him was assigned a large, safe canoe, and a couple of
trusty Indians to aid in the paddling. The rest of the party went out
more or less frequently, as it best suited them. So much had to be done
to complete the arrangements for the journey that often the young folks
went out alone on their joyous trips.

One afternoon Mr Ross was a little troubled, and at first seemed
inclined to ask all to give up their excursions on the water for that
day and amuse themselves at home.