The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-11-05
Z 7 HILE America has just
"A finished celebrating the
\ ! tercentenary of Henry
" Hudson. whose name it
' has imm0rtali2ed in

terCenIendTy Oi I1enES
Y Y hudson, whose name it
has imm0rtali2ed in
The Hudson river it is interesting to
remember that Canada, TOO, has a
uermanent monument to his memory
in the shape of Hudson's Bay, the Nee
~ of the fnr-hunter. The geographic
raj position of Canada causes it. to-
eether with Siberia, to be the chief
fur-producng country in the world,
for the wild beasts there are endowed
nv nature with the richest furs as pro-
lection against the extreme cold, and
HudsOn's Bay is the true center OF the
fur hunting grounds, whence the hunt
prs start, and whittier they return with
their precious sD0ils. We shall see in
this article what immense resources
are necessary. both in men and ma
terial. and what dangers and hard
ships have to be undergone to obtain
these furs, the high price of which is
thus naturally explained.
During the long winter months Hud-
sons Bay, which only communicates
with the open sea by the long Hudson
Strait to the north of Labrador, is cut
off from the world; for this reason
ReviIlon Freres have created towards
the most central part of the bay, in the
Strutton islands, vast depot, where
two steamers of their fleet bring
huge quantities of every desCrip-
ton of stores at the beginning
way through the drift-ice from Nor
treal to James Bay. and, arrived there
rapidly unloading their cargo. Once
their spacious holds are emptied, they
are reloaded with the precious f,rs,
brought from all the posts dotted
along the bay. and commence their
return voyage to Montreal before the
ice closes the only maritime route.
The grand depot at James Bay COM
municates with the posts by small
steamships, such as the Violette and
the steam-schooner PourVoyeuse,
whilst sailing barges of about ten tons
are attached to the various posts, af-
fording means of communication
along the coasts or up the rivers to
the secondary posts and outposts. The
chief posts are called base posts, and
here are concentrated all the provis-
ions for the ordinary posts, all their
accounts and their collections of skins,
feathers, oils, walrus teeth Gvoryl,
etc. The ordinary posts, Installed
further inland, serve as go-betWeens
for the base posts, and the outposts,
or flying posts, opened temporarily
under the direction of half-breed or
an Indian, establish direct contact
with the hunters and trappers.
The European agents, located at the
base posts or in the ordinary posts.
usually remain for three years in the
soitudes. The climate is healthy, al
though very severe in the winter. and
sickness is rare. Under the orders of
this staff are numerous auxiliaries,
either Canadians (the old Wood-ran-
gers) or natives, half-breeds, Indians
and Eskimos.
The ranger Is gradually disappear
ing, this wandering, exciting and en-
tirely independent life, with its per
petual struggle against the elements,
wild beasts and men, no longer tempt
ing the holder and more adventurous
spirits. They are succeeded by their
children, however, who are half
breeds, and are more intelligent than
the Indians. These are usefully en-
pIoyed in the posts, or even take
charge occasionally of an outpost. Up
to the fiftieth degree of latitude north
that is to say, the southern limit of
Hudson'S Bay-an abundant supply
If furs is brought to the posts by the
Indians. They are cunning hunters,
but, unfortunately, often lazy, and
suffer much from the ravages of con-
to which their degenerate |
rames oppose but poor resistance. !
The game, of course. varies, as the |
indian either hunts the woods on |
DOT or the rivers in the canoe; the |
able, mink, ermine, fisher, red and !
ilver fox, lynx, wolf, beaver, mus
uash. otter, bear, wolverine, elk and |
nusk-ox give him plenty of 0pportuni-
les of doing business with the posts,
The Eskimos are extremely brave
nd hardy, sharp at business, and,
bove all, excellent sailors. They de-
i've great assistance on the vast
lains of snow from their dogs, at
ached to the sledges, which they use
or transport purposes. At the head
each team is the pilot dog, an excel
ent animal with keen scent, who
,ads the caravan, acts as a guide, and
yiods crevasses and bad places. They
re fed on Ash, are large in size, and
ave long, thick hair, and pass their
lights bowling or fighting amongst