Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-10
THE VOYAGEURS.
Habits OF tho Hudson, hay FUR
TrAaess-Thetr EOilsOme Jour.
1ryS ia Fragile Crafts.

I'LL W NJ ~ ~ mo-
Habits OF the Hudson, Ray FUR
TrAaeis-Thetr gOiIsome Jour.
1rys ia Fragile Crafts.
The following account Of the
is from a Hudson's Bay
correspondent of the Cincinnati
Commercial:
The boatman, himself an Indian,
is generally a young man, heavy
set, copper-colored, and highly or
namented. His black hair is CREASED
and plated in small braids, from
which derend brightcoloreJ rib
bons and feathers. About his thick
neck there is q broad band Of wam-
pun, from which hangs, suspended
over the throat, a huge silver medal.
This medal was not presented for
valuable services rendered, however,
but may be purchased at the COM
pany's stores. His capote is open
at the throat, and reveals a broad
uncovered chest, corded with mus
cles. In lieu of the sash he wears
a broad leather belt, in which is
slung his fire-bag, beaded and quill
ed, containing pipe and tobacco,
flint and steel, and serving also,
upon occasions, as a pocket-book.
If the yoyageur be half-breed, he
is a little above the medium height,
with 1.-THE, active frame, enough Of
the aborigine to impart suppleness,
and sufficient of the white to add
a certain Solidity of frame lacking
in the savage. His features are
regular to a fault; complexion nut
brown; black eyes, and long hair
hanging down in a straight mass
over his shoulders. He wears a
tasseled cap, and is also EN- capote,
but Of fine blue cloth, ornamented
with two rows Of silyer-gilt buttons /;
variegated sash, corduroy trousers,
and mOccasins, Of course. He is
quick and nervous in manner, and
volatile in temperament to degree.
The craft in which these men
labor are called "inland boats"
They are built of the usual pattern
Of whale boats, and have u carry
ing capacity Of about three and
one-half tons. They possess one
sail, which is square and large.
Each boat is worked by nine men,
of whom eight are rowers and the
other the steersman. Brigades
composed Of from four to eight of
these crafts are kept plying in yari-
Gus directions throughout the sea-
son of open water on the inland
lakes and rivers. Their cargoee,
destined for the interior, are COM
posed of goods intended for the
Indian trade at the various posts
scattered over the territory. Their
return freight is made up Of furs
and other country products for
shipment to England. These
brigades generally traverse the
same routes for consecutive years,
occupying from two and half to
four months in making the voyage.
The boating season generally COM
mences early in June, and contin-
ues until the middle of October,
when the ice begins to form on the
northern waters. At the extreme
limits Of the course traversed by
the boats going north and west
inland, they are met by other boats
going south, bringing the furs al
ready traded, At this point of
meeting all exchange Of oargoes is
effected, when each brigade retraces
its course. In this way the whole
country, from the forty.ninth par.
allel of latitude to sixty-seven de-
grees thirty minHtes, is supplied
with goods and drained Of fHrs.
On the riyors traYersed by these
brigades there are many Interrupt
tons to navigation Of SO serious a
nature that the boats have to be
uDloaded, and, together with their
freight, carried by their crews occa-
sionaIIy for a considerable distance
overland, to be rolappched at the
nearest spot where the obStpuctiQn
| is ut an end, or to be placed in the
waters Of another stream running
in an opposite directions This
process is called " making 2 port
age
The vast amount of handling
necessary in passing goods over the
numerous portages which intervene
between the depot posts and even
| The nearest inland districts, renders
bhe packing OF the merchandise q
matter Of great Importance, Tbs
standard weight of each package
used in the Hudson Bay Company's
service is 100 pounds. Such bale
or case is called an "inland piece.
Zach Of theabove described boats i:
supposed 10 be cqpGbleof containing
seventy-fye pieces as d iqiF cargo
The facility with which such PIECES
can be handled by the muscular
tripmen is very perfect; q boat can
be loaded bs its crew Of nine mer
in FIVE minutes, and the compact
orderly appearance presented Oh
completion of the operation is be
yond praise,
The arran cement of the duties O.