The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1909-11-06

n finished celebrating the
wv tercentenary of Henry
" Hudson, whose name 1t
has immortalzed in
the Hudson river IL is interesting to
remember that Canada, too. has
permanent monument to his memory
In the shape of Hudson's Bay. the Nee
ca Of the fur-hunter The geographi-
cal position of Canada causes 1t. to-
gether with Siberia, to be the chief
reproducing country in the world,
for the wild beasts there are endowed
by 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
ers start, and whittier they return with
their precious spoils. 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
Oft from the world; for this reason
Revillon 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
of each summer, making their
way through the drift-ice from Mon
treal to James Bay. and. arrived there.
rapidly unloading their cargo. Once
their spacious holds are emptied, they
are reloaded with the precious furs,
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 schooner Pourvoyeuse
whilst sailing barges of about ten tons
are attached to the various posts. af
fordng a 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 ivory
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 a half-breed or
actohIiSh iiracf 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
solitudes. 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 bolder 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-
p(oyed 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
Hudsons Bay-an abundant supply
of 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-
sumption, to which their degenerate
frames oppose but a poor resistance.
The game, Of course, varies. as the
Indian either hunts the woods on
foot or the rivers in the canoe; the
sable, mink. ermine. fisher. red and
silver fox. lynx, wolf. beaver, mus
ouash, otter, bear. wolverine. elk and
musk-ox give him plenty Of opportuni-
ties of doing business with the posts.
The Eskimos ere extremely brave
and hardy. sharp at business. and.
above all, excellent sailors. They de-
rive great assistance on the vast
plains of snow from their dogs. at
tached to the sledges. which they use
for transport purposes. At the head
Of each team Is the pilot dog. an excel
lent animal with keen scent. who
leads the caravan, acts as guide. and
aviods crevasses and bad places. They
are fed on fish, are large in size, and
have long, thick hair. and pass their
uiShts bowling or fighting amongst