Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-08-05

winter residents began TO look Tor
the return of the brigade-the one
great yearly event. 1t would mean
news from the outside world; it
would also mean being IN touch with
people who had mingled with some
sort of civilization.
The weather was studied, and the
height of water and strength of cur
rent were noted. Days were counted
until the time came when if any one
stepped out of the post or from a
tent his eyes were turned to the
southwark, for the long canoes
might be in sight.
Yet Lorimer, who had always been
so eager in other years, was more in
different now than any one else at
the post. Provisions and trading
goods were evidently needed; but his
world was very we'll filled just then
and was holding forth longings for
impossible things no longer.
One morning an old Indian ran up
to the post and proudly announced
that he could smell smoke on the
southwest wind, proving conclusively
that people might have lighted fire
at the old stopping-place just be-
yond the turn.
The Indians all came out of their
tents and stood on the bank, gestic-
ulating, while those women detained
by household cares ran out and
peeped from time to time.
Presently, after impatient waiting,
the high bow of the first canoe ap-
peared as the craft rounded the dis
tant point 1t took the sharp vision
of the Indians to decide at once that
it certainly was a company canoe.
| Then followed another-and a third
ard fourth-and the last. After a
time, as the canoes came on fast
with the current, old familiar songs
wer family heard.
The booming of guns was soon
heard, and the Indians on the shore,
always glad to make noise, burned
expensive black "pouk," as they
called gunpowder. With shouts and
the waving Of hats they greeted the
voyageurs.
The landing was quite formal
affair First ashore was the canoe
of Boyce Curran. Jumping in the
shallow water, his men drew the
craft sidewise against the bank.
Then the brigade chief rose and
stepped on dry land, utterly disre-
garding the men Of the brigade.
With hand outstretched and words of
friendliness, he approached Lorimer,
who welcomed him heartily.
"This is Ameou, my wife," Lori
mer announced simply, indicating the
girl, who was standing beside him.
"She has become beautiful
lady," said Curran, taking off his
tuque and bowling with too great a
semblance of courtesy. "Thou art
become fine grown woman,
Ameou," he added in Montagnais.
81 am the wife of Lawrence Lori
mer." she replied in good English.
The man glanced at her, and
swift smile passed over his thin lips
"Let us go to the post" he said
81 am sorry that | have no letters
for you this time; but I've brought g
few books and quite bunch of mag
azines, which will keep until / oper
my pack"
The two men strolled up to the
post, Lorimer telling about such ful
as he had already bought, while
Ameou followed at short distance
In the meantime the men OF the
brigade and the Indians were chat.
tering like magpies, giving and ask
ing for all sorts of news. They were
stretched out on the bank, happy il
the long rest they were to enjoy
until the bales of fur should be gath
cred for the return journey, a matter
of at least couple of weeks.
Mashkaugan, leaning on his pad
die, had been following the two
agents with his eyes.
Zone too many" he told himself
and spat on the ground.
Then he turned to the voyageurs
Get to work and unload" he
shouted.
Another procession was soor
formed, the men clambering slowly
up the bank with great loads ant
dumping them cheerfully in the
storeroom, for these backbreaking
packs would never have to be car.
ried by them again and the loads Of
fur for the return would be much
lighter.