The New York herald., 1870-12-19

here at Fort Garry every day gentlemen OF educa-
the extreme North, and VINO talk Of their extraord
nary experience with as ittle consciousness OF nav
hoatman s telIs Of his Weekly trips Several here
have been TO the farthest northern border OF the
continent and think no more OF trip OF two or
three thousand miles with dog train and snow
shoes than the Eastern man does OF visiting Chicago
by rail- trip alone on foot IN winter OF 500 miles
Is OF common occurrence.
FUR TRAFFIC..
The goods taken into the fur region by the Hudson
Bay Company consist OF a superior class OF blankets,
made expressly for them, substantial woollen and
cloth goods, prints, ribbons, cutlery, nour, sugar,
tea rum, tobacco, guns, ammunition traps, beads,
trinkets &C. All these articles sold at the seve
raj trading posts az very small rates compared with
prices In the United States, many OF them actually
Selling ut retail far north OF Fort Garry for less than
the same goods can be bought In New York. The
Hudson Bay Company's blankets are unequalled IN
warmth durability and iightness and their tea, to-
panys store sells to free traders ana settlers the
same as to its own employees, aud carries on very
extensive trade Large quantities OF ammunition
Indians trading with the company; and
IN all It's dealings the most scrupulous
Company fur trader were to cheat an Indian IN
tranlc he would be Immediately suspended and per-
haps dismissed from the service. This policy, in
ariording the Indians blankets, tobacco and ammu-
nition market for their furs, shelter IN Distress
ana honest dealing, without any interference with
served peace during the whole occupation OF the
country, ana IS probably the only system by which
Indians can be harmoniously treated with by the
whites.
In establishing basis of values among the
Indians the fur company adopted the peculiar system
OF using SKINS as a sort OF currency For example,
beaver counted as one "sAln,n with fixed value
ai the company's trad ng posts, which, however,
would be changed from time TO time according
IS the respective fur animals were scarce or
plentiful. red fox or marten counted the same
as q beaver, but Dlack fox counted as four
rats to make skin. This principle was carried out
respecting all fnrs In the far north, but the price
paid entirely irrespective Of the intrinsic value
Of the fur, the company paying but very little more
for the most highly priced furs than for the most
common 10 illustrate the red fox, counted as one
skin, brought from one to TWO dollars IN market,
while the black fox, counted at only four SKINS
would sell at from seyentyfive to one hundred dol
lars IN market. The reason Tor this was that II q
wide discrimination were observed In estimating the
value OF iurs with the Indians the rich fnrs would
be hunted in preference 10 the cheap ones and would
very soon be eXtermtnated. This rule, Of course
applied only in remote districts, where the company
had no competition and could always control prices
The Indians in Alaska have regular bead currency,
with q generally recognized value among their
tribes, and the company In trading with them pur
chases for handful Of beads, costing perhaps a
penny, fnls worth many dollars IN market. When
1ur5 great deal OF FUSS and etiquette IL generally
observed on both sides. The Indians are daubed
with pant ana decked out with feathers, and ap
proach the post with all the dignity Of chiefs coming
to make treaty. Each Indian receives piece Of
tobacco IS gilt, and. finally, after considerable
struttng around during which no ausion whatever
Is made to trade, the Indians bring In the furs and
commence business at the company's store.
great many Indians, true to the spendthrL element
in all types OF humanity, waste theirgans on fancy
dress ana luXuries, ana when winter sets In are
compelled to part with gun and all other property
to support lie, finding themselves pOverty.stricken
and helpless when the hunting season commences
in spring. TO most OF such the company always
gives outfit on credit each season, trusting to the
Indians luck i'll trapping for pay, and as the COM
pany makes its prices on everything there very
ot by tine pn DeS oa
the settlements, and to the employees OF the COM
pany, except where opposition traders furnish
must do the same or lose furs. Wines, brandy &c,
in small quantlIes are also shipped out for the COM
pany'S officers and are supplied at very low rates.
MODES OF TRAVEL.
The first peculiar means OF conveyance met by
the traveller TO the fur region consists OF the Red
but deserving OF additional notice IN this cOnnec-
tion. These quaint vehicles are generally con.
structed without particle OF iron being used
axles are never creased their squeaking
and screeching make the roads travelled by them
in shafts, with rawhide harness, and carry about
500 pounds. One driver generally manages three or
four carts, and the expeditions between Red river
ana the buffalo plains and ST. Paul, in Minnesota,
consist OF from fifteen TO thirty carts organized into
what are called brigades. Dried hides are used to
picturesque than distant view OF one OF these
brigade encampinents on the pralrie with Its
conical tents, red blankets and scattered groups
dressed IN half Indian attire.
From York Factory, on Hudson's Bay, and from
Fort Garry peculiarly constructed boats, called York
boats 20 out each spring In brigades with supplies
for the northern ports. These as before described.
meet at Norway House, on the northern extremity OF
from the north In the fall TO their respective
starting places. They are about thirty feet long,
high and sharp at each end, and carry from SIX to
egnt tons. Eight men are assigned to each boat as
oarsmep, and who not only have to drag these heavy
concerns around the many portages or rapids en-
countered ou the route. but also carry the cargOes
In 100 pound packs, by means Of a strap placed
across the forehead, supporting the pack on the
this purpose ana become in this work splendid spe-
cmens OF physical development. A square sail ID
fitted the bOabs for sailing when the wind Ii IA
vorabe, and heavy storms IN Lake winnipeg are
sometimes ridden out In safety by these long, mar
row, deep craft, when much more pretentous ves-
sells would go to the bottom.
THE BIRCH CANOE
to the highest state OF perfection here. trip in
of the light crafts exceeds IN romance the most
fncu sketch OF hunter life In the days OF the old
Northwest Company canoe started every year on
the 1st Of April from the mouth OF the Columbia
river. on the Pacific, arriving at Fort william, ON
Lake superior, on the ist OF July Remaining there
until the Goth of that month, 1t would take Its de-
parture for the west again. reaching the Pacific by
via the Columbia river, the Saskatcheg van, Lake
winnipeg Lake OF the Woods. Lake Superior. &c.,
q canoe would travel In 100 days. The voyagers
term handed down from the days OF the French in
the province of Canada, and pay him the greatest
respect II the shores are swampy the Bourgeois Is
carried to his canoe on the back OF some
sturdy fellow generally appointed for the purpose.
He seats himself on mattress somewhat low In tine
centre OF his canoe his gum tobacco pipe ana toilet
articles by his side, and perhaps favorlte spaniel
at his feet. No Is he at ease than the hight
paddles are dipped and the fragile craft speeds
through the currents with surprising neetness, while
yell upon yell from the half dozen padders express
their delight at starting II the current is favorable
O hundred miles will be travelled by nightfall. The
crew spring ashore, roaring fire Is kindled supper
is served and alter night or sweet repose, lullcd by
the rippes among the reeds and lilies at dawn the
IN a OcCaSiOnAllV
men relax their strokes and light their pipes but no
sooner does I've headway of the canoe die away than
they renew their labors and their chorus,
q particular voice being ever selected to
lead thd song. and the men joining.
with pipes between their teeth, III the wild
refrain. The guide conducts the march. At the
hour OF breakfast they put ashore on some green
plot The tea kettle is boiling, gay mat spread
on the turf and breakfast IL despatched In twenty
minutes. At noon they put aground again. The
liquor can accompanies the provision chest The fare
is spread In simple style, and in twenty minutes
more the voyagers are again on their dashing way
until twilight checks their progress. When 1t II
practicable to make way In the dark, four hours Is