_ OF THE FUR TRADE, &c. xlvii

pared before it leaves Detroit, by boiling it in a ftrong alkali, which
takes off the outer hufk; it is then well wafhed, and carefully dried upon
flages, when it is fit for ufe. One quart of this is boiled for two hours, over
a moderate fire, in’a gallon of water; to which, when it has boiled’a
{mall time, are added two ounces of melted fuet; this caufes the corn
to fplit, and in the time mentioned makes a pretty thick pudding. If to
this is added a little falt, (but not before it is boiled, as it would inter-
rupt the operation), it makes an wholefome, palatable food, and eafy of
digeftion. This quantity is fully fufficient for a man’s fubfiftence
during twenty-four hours; though it is not fufliciently heartening to
fuftain the ftrength neceflary for a flate of a@tive labour, The Ame-
ricans call this difh hominee*. :

The trade from the Grande Portage, is, in fome particulars, carried on
in a different manner with that from Montreal. The canoes ufed in
the latter tranfport are now too large for the former, and fome of about
half the fize are procured from the natives, and are navigated by four,
five, or fix men, according to the diftance which they have togo. They
carry a lading of about thirty-five packages, on an average; of thefe
twenty-three are for the purpofe of trade, and the reft are employed for
provifions, flores, and baggage. In each of thefe canoes are a foreman
and fteerfman; the one to be always on the look out, and dire&t the
paflage of the veflel, and the other to attend the helm. They alfo carry
her, whenever that office is neceffary. The foreman has the command;

; &
4

* Corn is the cheapéf> provifion that can be procured, though from the expence of tranfport,
the butfhel cofts about twenty fhillings eas at the Grande OS A man’s daily allowance
does not exceed ten-pence, cee eee bss

and

ee

ee

SILI
eee =
a

j

iaiecteraeae evens

pe ET