Wintering on the Peace 107

following morning. Mackenzie adds that, although he had
been in the Athabasca country since 1787, he had not yet
seen a single native from the Peace.

It was usual for the fur-brigades, or a partners’ flotilla,
when within a few hours of a post, to camp for the night to
rest and remove the stains of travel. Next morning with all
their finery on, after having imbibed a dram or two to add
to their dash, the canoes started gaily for their destination.
It was necessary to impress the child-like mind of the
savage with a display of grandeur; moreover the partners
themselves were not above a boy-like pleasure in setting off
their overlordship with a certain amount of backwoods
pomp and circumstance. So with ribbons and feathers adding
a touch of colour and gaiety to their attire, and singing one
of their liveliest songs, the paddlers made the water fly in
order to bring their canoe before the populace at a swinging
clip. But long before they appeared off the post, the dogs
and children were aware of their approach, and had com-
municated their excitement to the rum-thirsty inhabitants,
who, with the keenest anticipations of renewed indulgence,
rushed to the water-front and welcomed the leaders with
loud cries of greeting, friendship and flattery, which were
not unappreciated by the great ones. The canoe, with a
bone in her mouth, foamed in to the landing like a runaway
wolf, and some of the nervous ones held their breath for a
second, fully expecting a crash, but at a signal, a dozen
strong arms dug their paddles into the water in a great
back-stroke, and the speeding canoe, within the space of
a few feet, came to an abrupt stop. One and all leapt
ashore, glad to be released from the cramping work.
The lading was hurriedly disposed of, and voyageurs and
partners alike gave themselves over to enjoyment, which
gained impetus in the wee sma’ hours, when it became possible