OF THE FUR TRADE, &c. xlv

package: and fo inured are they to this kind of-labour, that I have
known fome of them fet off with two packages of ninety pounds each, .
and return with two others of the fame weight, in the courfe of fix hours,
being a diftance of eighteen miles over hills and mountains. This
neceffary part of the bufinefs being over, if the feafon be early they
have fome refpite, but this depends upon the time the North men begin
to arrive from their winter quarters, which they commonly do early in
July. At this period, it is neceflary to felect from the pork-eaters, a
number of men, among whom are the recruits, or winterers, fufficient
to man the North canoes neceflary to carry, to the river of the rainy
lake, the goods and provifion requifite for the Athabafca country ; as the
people of that country, (owing to the fhortnefs of the feafon and length
of the road, can come no further), are equipped there, and exchange
ladings with the people of whom we are fpeaking, and both return
from whence they came. This voyage is performed in the courfe
of a month, and they are allowed proportionable wages for their
fervices.

The north men being arrived at the Grande Portage, are regaled
with bread, pork, butter, liquor, and tobacco, and fuch as have not en-.
tered into agreements during the winter, which is cuftomary, are con-
trated with, to return and perform the voyage for one, two, or three
years: their accounts are alfo fettled, and {uch as choofe to fend any of
their earnings to Canada, receive drafts to tranfmit to their relations or
friends: and as foon as they can be got ready, which requires no more
than a fortnight, they are again difpatched to their refpe@tive depart-

ments.