y, when it was held
on the day following--at Norway House, the largest mission station in
those days.

Preparations for it were begun many months in advance. A great Indian
council would be held at which, as a mere formality, the question would
be first asked: "Are we to have the great feast this year?"

This would be carried unanimously, and--for Indians--with great
applause. The next question which required more time for answering
would be: "What is each man prepared to give as his contribution toward
the feast?"

Very strange at first seemed the answers. Mamanowatum, a big Indian
moose-hunter, would say:

"I have discovered the trail of a moose. I will give half of the
animal--and his nose."

The moose nose is considered a great delicacy. Moose meat is the best
of all venison; and Mamanowatum was a most successful hunter. So this
splendid contribution, although the moose had yet to be shot, and was
hard to kill, would be recorded with great pleasure.

Then Soquatum would say; "I have discovered a bear's den. I will give
half the bear to the feast--and all the paws."

This generous contribution would also meet with much approval, for the
beat's paws are likewise among the great delicacies of the country.

Mustagan would speak next, and would say; "I know where there is a large
beaver house, and I will give five beavers--and ten tails."

This donation would also meet with great satisfaction, as beavers are
capital eating, and their great broad tails, together with the moose's
nose and the bear's paws, constitute the principal delicacies of the
country.

Rapidly would the hunters rise up one after another and proffer their
gifts, keeping the Indian secretary busily employed in writing down in
syllabic characters, the various promised offerings of game, the greater
quantity of which would be still roaming--perhaps hundreds of miles
away--in the wintry forest.

Those among the hunters who excelled in catching the valuable
fur-bearing animals, whose flesh is worthless for food, would make their
contribution in rich furs, such as minks, martins, otters and ermines,
which would be exchanged in the Hudson Bay Company's stores for flour,
tea, sugar and plums.

The council would last until all who could give, or had any remote idea
of success, had recorded their contributions.

Shortly after would begin the work of securing the promised offerings
for the feast. Even the successful ones did not always br