The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-01

In making cabin for the night. the In
dams took off their snow shoes and used
them 10 shovel out chamber in the snow
about twenty feet in length, by twelve in
width; throwing the contents up so as to
build wall round it. They next cut some
young fir trees, and arranged them leaning
against each other as ralters, TO form roof;
cross branches were laid over these, and
ceiling Of birch bark, which is here like
broad pieces of leather, completed this part
An opening on one side was left for door,
and the centre OF the roof, uncovered was
the chimney; two large fresh logs were laid
across the middle of the cabin, on which
was lighted pile Of dry wood. The ar
rangement of the inside was line of pill
lows, formed Of snow, at both ends OF the
hut; our feet were to be close to the fire,
half the party lying on each side of it. Sa-
pins made up soft couch on the cold floor,
and buffalo robes were our bed clothes.
When these luxurious arrangements were
finished, We went 10 the river, carrying an
axe, fishing lines, and bait cleared part
of the ice with our snow shoes, and with
the axe cut bole in il, about foot square
down to the water The admission Of the
fresh air evidently gave the unfortunate
trout an appetite, for, as fast as the line was
put down, one Of them pounced on the bait
and found his way 10 our basket, where he
was Immediately frozen to death; when he
reappeared, to be cooked, he was as hard as
| if he had been sailed and packed for six
months. We soon got tree Of this diver
sion and returned to our lodging.
The Indians had cut frewood for the night
and were busy piling it at the door; large
kettle, hung from the rafters by a rope made
Of green branches, and filled with a savory
mess Of pork, pease, and biscuit. was boil
ing over the FIRE; smaller one sang merri-
ly by It's side, with fragrant brew Of tea
The cabin was warm, and, with the robes
spread out, looked very comfortable; loops
Of birch-baTk in the clefts Of two sticks
stuck in the snow served as candle sticks;
our valuables, including the brandy bottle,
were placed in leathern bag at the head
oil our sofa, and carefully locked up.
We ate few OF the trout, and tasted,
the Indians mess, but Our main dependence
was on one Of the cases Of preserved meats,
OF which We had laid in a stock for the ex.
petition. We had boiled it carefully in
water according to the directions, and one Of
the Indians opened it with an axe; we were
ravenously hungry, each armed with plate
for the attack, but to our great disappoint-
ment. such odors issued from it that even
the Indians threw it away in disgust. We
richly deserved this. for attempting such
luxury in the bush.
The Indians all knelt i'm prayer for some
time, before going to sleep; each producing
his rosary, and repeating his devotions in
low monotonous voice. The unfortunate
dogs had not been allowed to eat anything;
to make them more savage against the moose;
or to come near the fire, perhaps, to make
them hotter in the chase; they all kept
prowling about outside in the snow, occa.
sionally putting their heads into the cabin
for moment, with longing look. When
during the Indians devotions, they found so
long silence, they began stealthily, to
creep in, one by one, and seat themselves
round the fire. One. unluckily, touched
the heel Of the apparently most devout
among the Indians, who turned round, high.
y earaged. to eject the intruder he had
short pipe in his teeth, while he showered
volley Of French oaths at the dog, and kick
ed him out; when this was accomplished,
he took long pull at his pipe and resum-
ed his devotions. tossed
About midnight | awoke, fancying that
some strong hand was graspine my shoul
ders--it was the cold. The fire blazed away
brightly, so close to our feet that it singed
our robe and blankets; but at our heads,
diluted spirits froze into solid mass. We
were very warmly clothed, and packed up
for the night, but never knew what cold
was till then.
Soon after day-break we were on our
way again. This day's.journey was through
rugged and mountainous country; in many
places the way was 50 steep that we had TO
drag ourselves up the sharp Hills, by the
branches and underwood. When we came