Aged Fur Trader Moves

The Company now resolved to follow up these discoveries, and with this view I was ordered in 1841 to establish a trading post on Frances lake so as to be ready for future operations westward. In 1842, birch bark for the construction of a large canoe to be used in exploring the Pelly was brought up from Fort Liard with the outfit, and during the winter was sent over the mountains by dogsleighs to Pelly banks, where the necessary buildings were put up, and the canoe was built in the spring of 1843.

Early in June, I left Frances lake with some of the men. We walked over the mountains to Pelly banks, and shortlyafter I started down stream in the canoe with the interpreter Hoole, two French Canadians and three Indians. As we advanced, the river increased in size and the scenery formed a succession of picturesque landscapes. About twenty-five miles from Pelly banks we encountered a bad rapid—"Hoole's"—where we were forced to disembark everything; but elsewhere we had a nice flowing current. Ranges of mountains flanked us on both sides; on the right hand the mountains were generally covered with wood; the left range was more open, with patches of poplar running up the valleys and burnsides, reminding one of the green braeface of the Highland glens. We frequently saw moose and bear as we passed along, and at points where the precipice rose abruptly from the waters edge the wild sheep—"big horn"—were often seen on the shelving rocks. They are very keen-sighted, and when once alarmed they file swiftly and gracefully over the mountain. When we chanced to get one we found it splendid eating—delicate enough for an epicure.

In this manner we travelled on for several days. We saw only one family of Indians—"Knife" Indians—till we reached the junction of the Pelly with a tributary which I named the Lewis. Here we found a large camp of Indians—the "Wood" Indians. We took them by no ordinary surprise, as they had never seen a white man before, and they looked upon us and everything about us with some awe as well as curiosity. Two of their chiefs, father and son, were very tall, stout, handsome men. We smoked the pipe of peace together, and I distributed some presents. They spoke in loud tones as do all Indians in their natural state, but they seemed kind and peaceable. When we explained to them as best we could that we were going down stream, they all raised their voices against it. Among other dangers, they indicated that inhabiting the lower river were many tribes of "bad" Indians—"numerous as the sand"—"who would not only kill us, but eat us." We should never get back alive, and friends coming to look after us would unjustly blame them for our death. All this frightened our men to such a degree that I had reluctantly to consent to our return, which under the circumstances was the only alternative. I learned afterwards that it would have been madness in us to have made any further advance, unprepared as we were for such an enterprise.

DINNERTIME on the East Coast of Hudson Bay. H.B.C. "tripping" party enjoying a snack at sixty degrees below—with gloves on!

Much depressed, we that afternoon retraced our course upstream; but before doing so I launched on the river a sealed can containing memoranda of our trip.

I was so dejected at the unexpected turn of affairs that I was perfectly heedless of what was passing; but on the third day of our upward progress I noticed on both sides of the river fires burning on the hill-tops far and near. This awoke me to a sense of our situation. I conjectured that, as in Scotland in the olden time, these were signal-fires and that they summoned the Indians to surround and intercept us.

Thus aroused, we made the best use of paddle and "tracking-line" to get up stream and ahead of the Indian signals. On the fourth morning we came to a party of Indians on the further bank of the river. They made signs to us to cross over, which we did. They were very hostile, watching us with bows bent and arrows in hand and would not come down from the top of the high bank to the water's edge to meet us. I sent up a man with some tobacco—the emblem of peace—to reassure them; but at first they would hardly remove their hands from their bows to receive it. We ascended the bank to them and had a most friendly interview, carried on by words and signs. It required, however, some finesse and adroitness to get away from them.

Once in the canoe we quickly pushed out and struck obliquely for the opposite bank, so as to be out of range of their arrows, and I faced about, gun inhand, to observe their actions. The river was there too broad either for ball or arrow. We worked hard during the rest of the day and until late. The men were tired out, and I made them all sleep in my tent while I kept watch. At that season the night is so clear that one can read, write or work throughout.

Our camp lay on the bank of the river at the base of a steep declivity which had large trees here and there up its grassy slope. In the branches of one of these trees I passed the greater part of this anxious night, reading "Hervey's Meditations" and keeping a vigilant lookout. Occasionally I descended and walked to the river bank, but all was still.

Two years afterwards, when friendly relations had been established with the Indians in this district, I learned to my no small astonishment that the hostile tribe encountered down the river had dogged us all day, and when we halted for the night had encamped behind the crest of the hill, and from this retreat had watched my every movement. With the exactitude of detail characteristic of Indians they described me sitting in the tree holding "something white" (the book) in my hand, and often raising my eyes to make a survey of the neighborhood; then, descending to the river bank, taking my horn cup from my belt, and even while I drank glancing up and down the river and towards the hill.

They confessed that had I knelt down to drink they would have rushed upon me and drowned me in the swift current and after thus despatching me would have massacred the sleeping inmates of my tent. How often without knowing it are we protected from danger by the merciful hand of Providence!

Next morning we were early in motion and were glad to observe that we had outwitted the Indians and outstripped their signal-fires. After this we travelled more at leisure, hunting as we advanced, and in due time reached Frances lake.

For a few years after this we confined our operations to trading between Frances lake and Pelly banks; but during the summer we sent hunting parties down to Pelly to collect provisions for our establishments; and by this means we obtained accurate information respecting the Pelly river, its resources and Indian tribes.

In the winter of 1847-8 we built boats at Pelly banks and, sending off our returns to Fort Simpson, we started off early in June, 1848, to establish a post at the forks of Pelly and Lewis rivers, which I named Fort Selkirk. Ever since our discovery of the Pelly in 1840 various conjectures were hazarded as to what river it really was and where it entered the sea. Fort Yukon was, I think, established in 1847, from Peel river near the mouth of the Mackenzie.

From the first I expressed my belief, in which hardly anyone concurred, that the Pelly and the Yukon were identical. In 1850, having obtained Sir George Simpson's permission, I explored the lower river, descending a distance of about 1200 miles and by reaching Fort Yukon proved the correctness of my opinion.

From Fort Yukon I directed my boat and party upwards into the Porcupine river. I was accompanied by Mr. Murray, who was conveying the returns and whose duty it was to take back with him the Yukon outfit from La Pierre's house at the head of the Porcupine river, to which point supplies were transported over the mountains in winter by dogsleighs from Peel river. La Pierre's house duly reached, we left our boat there and walked over the mountains to Peel river, about ninety miles; thence by boat we ascended the Mackenzie river to Fort Simpson.

I thus performed a circuit of several thousand miles from my point of departure on the Liard river. Great astonishment was felt by all my friends and acquaintances when they saw me reach Fort Simpson by coming up the Mackenzie river instead of descending the Liard, for no one entertained a suspicion that the Pelly river had any connection with the Yukon or that the Pelly was linked with the Porcupine, Peel and Mackenzie rivers.

Thenceforward this new route, so unexpectedly found out, was made the highway for the transport of outfits to, and results of trade from the Pelly and all intermediate posts.

When I visited England in 1853 this vast stretch of country—until then a blank on the map and untrodden and unknown of white men—was under my direction correctly delineated on his map of North America by J. Arrowsmith, Hudson's Bay Company's topographer; and hence it happens thatmany of these rivers and places of note are named after my friends or after the rivers in my native glens.

CHIPEWYAN Indians returned to H.B.C. Post with a fine bag of the great grey geese that flock in thousands over Lake Athabasca.

I may mention that in these explorations, which embraced a period of fifteen years, we had to rely for the means of existence almost entirely on the natural resources of the scene of our operations, however dreary and barren a region it might be. We were once cut off from all supplies and connection with our people, to the extreme peril of our lives, for over two years—from May, 1848, till September, 1850—during which time we received neither a letter nor supplies, and the opening up of communication with the outside world was ultimately brought about by our own unaided and determined efforts in the face of appalling obstacles.

The Pelly-Yukon is a magnificent river, increasing in size as it is joined by the many affluents that swell its tide. It sweeps in a gentle, serpentine course round the spurs of the double mountain range that generally skirts each side of the valley. Of these twin ranges the more distant is the loftier. Many of its summits are dotted with wreaths of snow, while others wear a perpetual mantle of white.

At a distance of some forty-five miles from Yukon the mountains recede, the river widens and for miles wanders among countless islands. Many of the Pelly's tributaries are large streams—especially the M'Millan, Lewis, White, and Stewart rivers.

Four kinds of salmon ascend the river in great numbers in their season; and then comes a busy harvest time for the Indians, who assemble in large camps along the river and handle their spears with great dexterity. Large numbers of salmon are killed, some for present and some for winter use. This fish has been seen and killed above Pelly banks, which is more than two thousand miles from the sea.

Steamers from the Pacific have already ascended to Fort Yukon (twelve hundred miles); and during the freshet they can ascend more than twelve hundred miles further (to Hoole's Rapid).

The lakes all over the country abound in excellent white fish.

The fauna of the country is abundant and varied. It includes moose and reindeer, bears (black and grizzly), wolves and wolverines, rats and hares, the fox and lynx, the beaver, the mink, and the marten. I saw the bones, heads and horns of buffaloes; but this animal had become extinct before our visit, as had also some species of elephant, whose remains were found in various swamps. I forwarded an elephant's thigh bone to the British Museum, where it may still be seen.

The flora of the country is rich and diversified. I forwarded several specimens of the vegetation to Sir William J. Hooker, director of the Kew Gardens, I also sent him specimens of all the rocks from Yukon to Pelly banks. The climate is more pleasant and genial than in the same latitude on the east side of the mountains.

H. J. Moberly, 86, fur trader in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company for thirty-seven years, passed through Edmonton, June 15th, on his way from Cedarvale, B.C., to his home at Duck Lake, Sask.

This aged veteran of the H.B.C. fur trade service has the distinction of having seen Edmonton at an earlier date than any living white man. He reached the Saskatchewan at Edmonton in 1854, sixty-seven years ago. Mr. Moberly has been staying for the past year at the fruit ranch of his son, forty miles west of Hazelton, B.C.

Published Monthly by the Hudson's Bay Company for Their Employees Throughout the Service

The Beaver"A Journal of Progress"

Address all communications to Editor, "THE BEAVER," York and Main Streets, Winnipeg, Canada.

Vol. I

JULY, 1921

No. 10

Canada has no flag; a startling assertion, but true. The Dominion emblem so familiar to Canadians is a marine ensign authorized by the Imperial Government many years agofor use on Canada's merchant shipping. No flag has ever been officially adopted by the Canadian people.

Among designs submitted for a distinctive Canadian flag, one which most appeals to the sense of fitness displays the Union Jack in the upper left quarter and nine blue stars in the form of the Great Dipper and North Star on a field of white in the remaining three quarters. One star for each province, in the form of the familiar constellation of the Northland, sealed with the symbol of Empire!

The antipodean dominion of New Zealand has the Southern Cross on a field of red, with the Union Jack, for her official flag. This design was adopted from several hundred submitted by citizens.

Canada too should have a flag of her own—an emblem to emphasize her essential nationhood—of a design that will connote her stewardship of this North Portal of the Empire.

Amotorist, mired down on a country road, asked a passing lad with a team to pull him out.

Paying the boy's price of two dollars the car owner remarked, "Well, son, do you make much money at this sort of thing?" "You are the fifth I have pulled out to-day," replied the boy.

"I should work nights, too, at that rate," said the motorist.

"I do," said the boy, "at night I haul water for the mud-hole."

In business many young men are like the boy and the mud-hole. They have a single eye to making the joblast. Fixed in a situation with certain routine things to do they lose ambition and are chiefly concerned with stretching their duties to fill a day. No origination. No progress. No increasing of efficiency to fit themselves for greater responsibilities.

They are "carrying water" in this blind way oftentimes until it's too late to stride out into bigger things.

Don't "carry water." Mend the road, and find a way to speed up traffic. The pay will be higher and the work more satisfying.

The day of the Gladiator is not past. Near New York this month the pugilistic champion of the United States, for the consideration of merely a million dollars, will stand up for something less than an hour to pummel and be pummeled by the pugilistic champion of Europe.

Nearly seventy thousand fervid partisans will look on, eating peanuts—primordially yelling for blood.

Among them, it is said, will be hundreds who figure prominently in Bradstreet's, the Blue Book and the Society Column.

Gentlewomen will be there—in the fifty dollar seat section. Roustabouts and longshoremen, barristers, doctors and preachers, business men and government officials—and small boys roosting in neighboring trees—all with "thumbs down" when one bruiser weakens.

Who is there to stop wars and rumors of wars while the spirit of the gladiatorial combat is thus rampant in human society, breaking through the carefully laid veneer of civilization?

One of the most interesting events in the fur trade last month was the announcement by the Hudson's Bay Company of its intention to accept consignments of skins for sale at its London auctions. The news came as a surprise to many, as it has long been known that the famous old Company took particular pride in offering no skins for sale at its auctions save those collected by its own posts and graded with that excellency which has earned for the Company the reputation of setting an accepted standard for all skins.

To those who are familiar with the past history of H.B.C., the news did not come altogether as a surprise. The Company has demonstrated on many occasions in the past that it does not hesitate to reverse its decisions and alter its policies when the changes wrought by time and economic progress in the domain of the Company make such changes a business necessity.

Many in the fur trade wondered why the Company did not enter the consignment business sooner but the sequence of events has since demonstrated that by keeping out of that end of the business until after the speculators had had their fling, the Company was able to enter on the "ground floor," so to speak, and with everything in its favor.

The establishment of great fur auction companies in St. Louis, New York and Montreal tended to deprive London of its old-time prestige, and, naturally, anything that detracted from the influence of the London fur market also affected the Hudson's Bay Company.

With the passing of the famous old firm of Nesbitt, the London fur market lost one of the best-known consignment houses in the world. This house was particularly happy in its connection with the American trade and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the best American firms. When the Nesbitt firm was forced to liquidate in order to save as much as possible for its clients, it was felt that the London market had lost one of its landmarks and was, to a certain extent, weakened in its uphill fight to regain its leadership in the fur trade.

By taking over the warehouses and offices of the Nesbitt Company and announcing its willingness to accept consignments of fur skins, the Hudson's Bay Company carries on where Nesbitt Ltd. left off. H.B.C. will now be in a position to hold its auctions on its own premises.

The London market will be made all the stronger by the entrance of the Company as a consignment house, as it will naturally follow that the class of goods consigned will have to be up to a fine standard and will only be accepted from reputable and first-class firms.

By taking the lead in the London market, by setting the standard for all the trade, both in goods and in business principles, by inducing the best firms to send their best goods to the London market, by eliminating speculative bidding and by having great financial strength and sound business methods back of it, the Hudson's Bay Company has once more proved its ability to come through all kinds of trials and tribulations with flying colors.

Being comparatively a newcomer with the Hudson's Bay Company, judging by the long records of service of other managers present, I felt deeply moved by the cordial spirit of comradeship shown me by my co-partners.

I was greatly impressed by the frank way we were received by the Canadian Advisory Committee.

The conference was a remarkable one in many ways. It created a precedent, insofar that it was the first time in the history of the Company that managers of the many H.B.C. stores were gathered together for consultation, advice and mutual benefit.

I feel that this conference will prove the forerunner of an era of singular prosperity to the Company and of increased efficiency throughout the Company's stores.

In an official letter from an outpost manager the activities of the opposition were reported upon as follows:

"The opposition ain't raisin' no 'ell."

By which it was assumed that the outpost manager was holding his own.

"Dear Brother and Fellow Superior:"I have spent a lonely and dissolute(meaning desolate)winter, owing to the loss of two good hunters and a beloved wife.""...The canoes you sent up last fall arrived safely. Everything was in order with the exception of one or two destitute items in the displacement.""I am very thankful for the increase of salary accorded to me by the Commissioner. Now that I have my new eyes(meaning glasses)I am able to see better, and my new teeth help me to masticate my food better, which aids the "deegestion" and keeps me in better health so that I can do more work now. Now I think I am capable of taking charge of a much larger Post than the one I am at.""I could not make my cash agree with the books, but it agrees now, because I made an entry 'To cast to cook the account, $60.00.'""I am sorry that I caused you so much worry last fall when I wrote you that I was at death's door and asking you to send my successor, as I expected soon to enter the pearly gates."I am sorry to say I recovered soon after and the black suit I asked for to be buried in was not required. I had no mourning envelopes on hand, so I blackened the edges of an official envelope with ink, to advise you befittingly of my approaching demise.""Hereafter I am to receive my instructions from Fort ——. I am sorry to leave you. We have differed sometimes about the orders issued from time to time, but I have endeavoured to carry out the instructions when I thought they were for the good of the post."

"Dear Brother and Fellow Superior:

"I have spent a lonely and dissolute(meaning desolate)winter, owing to the loss of two good hunters and a beloved wife."

"...The canoes you sent up last fall arrived safely. Everything was in order with the exception of one or two destitute items in the displacement."

"I am very thankful for the increase of salary accorded to me by the Commissioner. Now that I have my new eyes(meaning glasses)I am able to see better, and my new teeth help me to masticate my food better, which aids the "deegestion" and keeps me in better health so that I can do more work now. Now I think I am capable of taking charge of a much larger Post than the one I am at."

"I could not make my cash agree with the books, but it agrees now, because I made an entry 'To cast to cook the account, $60.00.'"

"I am sorry that I caused you so much worry last fall when I wrote you that I was at death's door and asking you to send my successor, as I expected soon to enter the pearly gates.

"I am sorry to say I recovered soon after and the black suit I asked for to be buried in was not required. I had no mourning envelopes on hand, so I blackened the edges of an official envelope with ink, to advise you befittingly of my approaching demise."

"Hereafter I am to receive my instructions from Fort ——. I am sorry to leave you. We have differed sometimes about the orders issued from time to time, but I have endeavoured to carry out the instructions when I thought they were for the good of the post."

In looking over an old Hudson's Bay wharf with a view to repairs, the contractor remarked:

"Well! the piles are so badly eaten away, I'm hanged if I know what keeps the wharf up."

A bystander promptly replied:

"Nothing but the Company's reputation is keeping up that wharf, sir."

In connection with awards made in the 250th Anniversary Suggestion Competition (Fur Trade department) it is to be noted that H.B.C. men in Hudson's Straits and Ungava (Labrador District) were without the opportunity of participating, owing to their extreme isolation in the far north.

First word of the competition was conveyed to these men by the Company's supply ship in August, 1920. With the landing of the supplies and preparation of the annual accounts, there was no opportunity for the men to write out their suggestions before the sailing of the supply ship on her homeward voyage. Since that time there has been no communication whatever with these posts.

It is regretted that owing to the short time between the receipt of the instructions regarding the competition and the date by which replies were to be in Winnipeg it was impossible for northern Labrador posts to participate.

FORT McMURRAY NEWS

The H.B.C. motor tug"Nechemus," left McMurray for the north on May 12th, laden with horses and wagons together with the season's first shipment of freight for FitzGerald.

The H.B.S.S. "Fort McMurray"sailed on May 13th on her second trip, bound for FitzGerald with a hundred and twenty tons of supplies for the northern posts. Passengers on the steamer included: J. G. M. Christie and wife, who are going to McPherson and back. Mr. Christie is a retired employee of the Company and is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances with H.B.C. men along the Mackenzie. Mrs. C. C. Sinclair, with Miss Sinclair, are going down to McPherson, and will join Mr. Sinclair, Manager of Athabasca-Mackenzie District.

Bishop Lucas, of the Anglican diocese of Mackenzie, was on his way to the land of the Midnight Sun. The bishop spent the winter in the old country, and is bound for his headquarters at Chipewyan.

NOTE.—In a leading Western Canadian newspaper we read: "It is not commonly known that at one time the Hudson's Bay Company owned a million acres of land in California surrounding the present site of the City of San Francisco. The importance of the great harbour now known as the Golden Gate was not recognized and the area was sold for one dollar an acre."

When in 1824, shortly after the amalgamation of H.B.C. with the Northwest Company, the fur brigades under Sir George Simpson swept to the verge of the Pacific, north, west and southwest, the flag of H.B.C. was carried far down the California coast. One new fur trading establishment was planted by the Company at the Golden Gate San Francisco Bay; another was erected at Umpqua, not many miles to the northward.

Up to 1820 the only fur post on the Pacific coast between Sitka, Alaska, and southern California was Fort George. This post had been first opened by Astor of New York, but was taken over by H.B.C. at the time of the amalgamation with the Nor'westers. Meanwhile it had been re-christened "Fort George" by Captain Black of H.M.S. "Raccoon" in 1813.

From Fort William at the head of the Great Lakes came Dr. John McLaughlin, James Douglas and John Work, ordered by the Company to Fort George to take charge of the newly created Western Department of the H.B.C. fur trade. Dr. McLaughlin was in charge, James Douglas was accountant and John Work was what might be termed an explorer.

Dr. McLaughlin was a versatile man, but leaned towards the development of farming and stockraising, while John Work's only interest was in fur trading.

In 1824 they arrived at Fort George and at once mapped out plans for development of their department.

It was decided to abandon Fort George because the farming possibilities of the neighbourhood were not so promising as those of the country further up the river. A new site was selected just below the Willamette River, and the construction of Fort Vancouver (Washington) was commenced.

At that time the whole territory was known as Oregon Territory. The country was also known as Columbia District, and when the boundary line between Canada and the United States was established, the part to the north of the line was named British Columbia District, and still retains this name in the Company's organization.

In order to stock the newly established farms, the Company sent men south for sheep, cattle and horses, and I believe that it was on this account that Posts were opened at Umpqua and San Francisco Bay in 1824 or 1825, and operated until 1832, when they were abandoned and there is nothing in the records to indicate that the Hudson's Bay Company ever afterwards claimed one foot of soil in or around San Francisco.

In fact, there is information that would make it appear that the San Francisco Bay Post alone was closed in 1832 and Umpqua not until a later date, as a letter written by Sir George Simpson to Captain J. Sheppard, R.N., dated 28th May, 1849, mentions Umpqua as being still in existence. Sir George said the names of Posts west of the mountains were at that time:

American Territory, South of 49°

British Territory, North of 49°

Europeans employed at these posts numbered six hundred, besides hundreds of Indian laborers.

There were seven vessels employed in the service:

3 barques, carrying goods to and from Europe,

In order to take care of the Russian American Company's and the H.B.C. Posts' requirements, large farms and dairies were necessary, and suitable land was plentiful between the Puget's Sound and the Columbia River. When the negotiations between the Hudson's Bay Company and the United States government were under way to settle the Oregon dispute, the Company claimed 160,000 acres of land as being farmed and grazed by them.

There has undoubtedly been a tendency on the part of historians and newspaper writers to confuse the Company's Oregon land claim with the lands at the H.B.C. San Francisco Bay post, but there is absolutely no connection.

The following letter of appreciation was recently received by the Company from J. P. Burns, an engineer who met with misfortune in the wilds of British Columbia:

"Because of a serious accident last fall I was compelled to call at one of your trading posts situated at the junction of the Dease river and Liard, run by Mr. F. J. Bass. Mr. Bass did all in his power for me at a time when I was almost destitute and in a very low state of health owing to a broken bone in my right foot and a bad wound on my right side. I wish you would thank Mr. Bass for his hospitality and hope and trust that the Hudson's Bay Company will long remain and prosper in regions where engineers and dogs struggle for life and civilization.Yours faithfully,J. P. BURNS.

Yours faithfully,J. P. BURNS.

PAS MOUNTAIN POST NEWS

By ALEX HORNE

The excitement which always prevails during the breakup around this Reserve was perhaps of a more serious nature this Spring than previous years.

Usually the Carrot river on the banks of which the Post is situated, overflows every other second year or so, but this time the flood proved to be a record.

The ice broke up on the 23rd of April and started going out on the 26th. During that day it travelled well.

As it was the first breakup I had ever witnessed, the sight was most interesting and fascinating. Some of the blocks, I estimated, were perhaps ninety by thirty feet and eighteen to twenty inches thick. These huge blocks were to cause us a considerable amount of discomfort before the day was over.

Towards evening it was noticed that the ice was travelling very slowly on the east bend of the river. As the river flows directly south past the Post and then takes a turn east, our view for over a mile is fairly good. We watched with strained eyes and beating hearts, for already the water was rising. Ah! yes, it was only too true, there was a jam!

Soon the water was coming over in front of the house. Immediate action was necessary. Canoes had to be attended to, boards, posts, boxes and barrels moved to a place of safety.

Very soon the water was making a noise like a waterfall and sweeping everything before it. In a short time the sidewalk was trying to pilot its way through the garden gate. A cord of wood made an effort to follow suitbut did not succeed. That night the roaring waters sang us to sleep.

All day the ice and driftwood kept going by. At 7 o'clock in the evening the Post was completely surrounded by water and a canoe was for the next few days to be our only mode of travelling.

Towards twilight the last of the ice and driftwood passed. We gave a sigh of relief and were about to retire when our attention was attracted by a noise in the bush on the opposite bank of the river; on looking, it was no little surprise to see a birch bark, and three Indians come into sight. From the conversation, we gathered that the country for miles around was under water.

Many cattle belonging to the Indians in this Reserve were drowned, also an old house was carried away and where it once stood we have now a small creek running from the river to a muskeg.

The Swirling Waters in Front of the Store.

STANLEY POST (SASK.) NOTES

The last of the freighters reached here on April 18th, on their return trip to Prince Albert, having delivered all the freight for Lac du Brochet Post at South Deer Lake. The season being late, they had to work night and day, under adverse weather conditions.

One big snowstorm lasted a day and a night, and the wind was terrible, the track being covered up a few moments after it had been opened. The rain and the soft weather we had in March formed a hard crust on the deep snow, which was very bad for the horses.—Thos. Bear, Post Manager.

The article by Mr. Forbes in connection with the London Auction Sales calls to mind a rather amusing incident that occurred when I once attended a H.B.C. fur sale at College Hill, London.

Being young, I took a keen interest in everything, especially in the actions of the auctioneer.

I studied my catalogue and notes closely and when a lot would be called by the auctioneer invariably raised my head andlooked him in the eye.

As I was leaving the sale room at the termination of the afternoon sale I passed Mr. Ingrams and Mr. Randall. They remarked that I must feel very well satisfied with my afternoon's business, asI should be the owner of almost every lot that was put up.

It was not until then that I learned that by even such a small sign as a direct look a lot would be knocked down by the broker, and that I had to all appearances bought everything in sight!

We begin in this number publication of a series of "Youthful Portraits" depicting present-day H.B.C. employees as they appeared at a "tender age." It appears that considerable interest will be demonstrated by our readers in trying to discover familiar likenesses in these quaint old photographs.

B. F. Cooper, an old timer and Hudson's Bay fur trader, died at Fort McMurray, May 28th, after an illness of some weeks. Mr. Cooper was an Englishman, an old "blue-coat school" boy, brought up in London. Instead of moving in the limelight of politics Mr. Cooper chose the quiet and lasting work of pioneering on the frontier posts of the empire and for thirty-six years had been a trusted and faithful servant of the Hudson's Bay Company, in charge of the Fort McKay post.

B. F. COOPER

A few weeks before his death, an urgent message was sent to Fort McMurray for medical help and immediately the Company chartered a motor boat to bring Mr. Cooper from McKay. He was given every possible care.

The funeral took place on Sunday, May 29th, in the little Presbyterian church at McMurray, the coffin being covered with the Hudson's Bay flagand borne by Hudson's Bay men, C. C. Sinclair, J. Cunningham, L. Lane, G. Petty, H. Porter, Captain McLeod, Ed. Jones and J. Sutherland. The little church was crowded with people who followed to the cemetery the remains of the respected old timer whose only relative present was a son of sixteen years. Mr. Cooper leaves a wife and seven children. His record with the Company follows:

While I was stationed at North West River Post on the Labrador coast in 1896, the government of Norway and Sweden sent out an arctic expedition in a polar balloon to make an attempt at reaching the North Pole.

The Company, anxious to lend a hand to the success of this scientific exploration to the top of the earth, despatched to its many far northern posts drawings of the balloon like the illustration shown, accompanied by the notice:

"In the summer of 1896 a balloon (an object like that shown on the drawing) may be seen floating in the air. This balloon will convey a party of three Swedish scientists who have been making explorations towards the North Pole by these means.The Government of Sweden and Norway has requested that the explorers may receive all possible assistance. Natives should therefore be told that the balloon is not a dangerous thing, but merely a mode of conveyance in the air just as a ship is in the water.Natives should be told to approach the people in it without fear and to give them all the help in their power.If the balloon is seen only, the natives should be told to communicate the day and hour, the direction and time it was visible, and the direction of the wind.If the people arrive, having lost the balloon, the natives to be told to give them all possible assistance.It is requested that the travellers may be supplied with passport and all necessary official documents, the names being:Mr. Solomon August Andree, aged 42; Dr. Nils Gustaf Ekholm, aged 48; Mr. Nils Strindberg, aged 24."

The Government of Sweden and Norway has requested that the explorers may receive all possible assistance. Natives should therefore be told that the balloon is not a dangerous thing, but merely a mode of conveyance in the air just as a ship is in the water.

Natives should be told to approach the people in it without fear and to give them all the help in their power.

If the balloon is seen only, the natives should be told to communicate the day and hour, the direction and time it was visible, and the direction of the wind.

If the people arrive, having lost the balloon, the natives to be told to give them all possible assistance.

It is requested that the travellers may be supplied with passport and all necessary official documents, the names being:

Mr. Solomon August Andree, aged 42; Dr. Nils Gustaf Ekholm, aged 48; Mr. Nils Strindberg, aged 24."

The Drawing of Andree's Polar Balloon.

According to instructions, I informed all the Indians to be on the lookout for the balloon.

Early one morning an Indian rushed into the store to say he had heard an awful "ringing of bells" away up in the heavens and was sure it was the balloon passing.

I could see or hear nothing, but the native persisted in his story. I told him it might have been Andree ringing the breakfast bell. I could only get him calmed down by giving him some tobacco. Probably that was all he was after.

Traces of Andree were said to have been found at Cape Mugford, Northern Labrador, but no positive proof was ever obtained.

Another story came from Ft. Churchill to the effect that an Eskimo had found some clothing supposed to have been from the balloon, but these were said to have been left behind by Mr. J. B. Tyrrell on one of his expeditions.

Jan., 1921

1—The usual reception was given the Indians this morning and a Dance will take place in the evening till 12 p.m.5—Mail arrived from Liard this evening; they were ten days coming down.8—Mail arrived from Providence at 10 a.m.10—Mr. P. H. Godsell with Robbillard, driver, and two Liard men left for Liard this morning. Mr. Godsell goes to Liard on an inspection trip. The mail left yesterday for McPherson.12—Five men and two trains of dogs arrived from the south this afternoon en route to the Norman oil fields to stake claims.13—Tony Neis and a party of oil men arrived from the south this evening en route to the Norman oil fields to stake claims; Corporal Doke and Constable Brackett of the Mounted Police also arrived and are to be stationed at Norman.17—Clear and cold, 38 below.22—Mr. T. W. Harris and W. George left for Norman this morning in connection with the staking of claims below Norman.28—Inspector Godsell returned today from a trip to Liard.

1—The usual reception was given the Indians this morning and a Dance will take place in the evening till 12 p.m.

5—Mail arrived from Liard this evening; they were ten days coming down.

8—Mail arrived from Providence at 10 a.m.

10—Mr. P. H. Godsell with Robbillard, driver, and two Liard men left for Liard this morning. Mr. Godsell goes to Liard on an inspection trip. The mail left yesterday for McPherson.

12—Five men and two trains of dogs arrived from the south this afternoon en route to the Norman oil fields to stake claims.

13—Tony Neis and a party of oil men arrived from the south this evening en route to the Norman oil fields to stake claims; Corporal Doke and Constable Brackett of the Mounted Police also arrived and are to be stationed at Norman.

17—Clear and cold, 38 below.

22—Mr. T. W. Harris and W. George left for Norman this morning in connection with the staking of claims below Norman.

28—Inspector Godsell returned today from a trip to Liard.

Feb.

2—Wind North. Mr. Godsell, Mr. Jackson, clerk, Robbillard, W. Sibbiston and John Hope, forerunner, left for Good Hope this morning with two trains of dogs. Wind North.19—Mail arrived from the South today, 20 days behind schedule time.23—Clear and fine. Mr. Conibear and two sons arrived from Smith with two trains of dogs to stake claims at Norman.25—Clear and mild, thawing in the sun for the first time this season. Norwegian arrived from Rabbit Skin River with a good bunch of furs.

2—Wind North. Mr. Godsell, Mr. Jackson, clerk, Robbillard, W. Sibbiston and John Hope, forerunner, left for Good Hope this morning with two trains of dogs. Wind North.

19—Mail arrived from the South today, 20 days behind schedule time.

23—Clear and fine. Mr. Conibear and two sons arrived from Smith with two trains of dogs to stake claims at Norman.

25—Clear and mild, thawing in the sun for the first time this season. Norwegian arrived from Rabbit Skin River with a good bunch of furs.

Mar.

2—Most of the oil prospectors left for the south today after recording their claims here.12—Mr. Harry McGurn arrived with the mail from the North last night. Mr. Wada and party accompanied him from Wrigley.18—Mail arrived from Providence today, 18 days behind time. This mail will do down as far as McPherson.30—Cloudy and thawing. H. Camsell and W. Johnson went for a moose across the river this morning. Two airplanes arrived this morning at 11:30 a.m. from Peace River. They were one hour and forty minutes travelling time from Providence.

2—Most of the oil prospectors left for the south today after recording their claims here.

12—Mr. Harry McGurn arrived with the mail from the North last night. Mr. Wada and party accompanied him from Wrigley.

18—Mail arrived from Providence today, 18 days behind time. This mail will do down as far as McPherson.

30—Cloudy and thawing. H. Camsell and W. Johnson went for a moose across the river this morning. Two airplanes arrived this morning at 11:30 a.m. from Peace River. They were one hour and forty minutes travelling time from Providence.

Apr.

1—W. Johnson, H.B.C. engineer, making propellor for airplane.5—One of the airplanes started for Norman this morning and met with an accident in starting, smashing the prop. and damaging one of the wings.15—One of the airplanes took a trial trip with a new prop. this afternoon and appeared to give satisfaction.18—W. Johnson left this morning at 2 a.m. with two trains of dogs and supplies for work on the S.S. Liard at Spence River.22—Wind North and snowing most of the day. Both airplanes are now ready, and they will be leaving for Peace River as soon as the weather is favourable.

1—W. Johnson, H.B.C. engineer, making propellor for airplane.

5—One of the airplanes started for Norman this morning and met with an accident in starting, smashing the prop. and damaging one of the wings.

15—One of the airplanes took a trial trip with a new prop. this afternoon and appeared to give satisfaction.

18—W. Johnson left this morning at 2 a.m. with two trains of dogs and supplies for work on the S.S. Liard at Spence River.

22—Wind North and snowing most of the day. Both airplanes are now ready, and they will be leaving for Peace River as soon as the weather is favourable.

Leaving Wrangell, Alaska, for Telegraph Creek, British Columbia, in the spring of 1914, I overtook an Englishman who intended to spend the summer in the interior of British Columbia, and after enjoying a big game hunt in the fall would return to civilization.

Before we had got far up the river, night overtook us, making it necessary for the "gas" boat on which we were travelling to tie up for the night. The beach on which we landed was a sandy one that would permit of walking along the shore for some distance; so my friend, the Englishman, started out to stretch his legs.

Not far up the beach there commenced a large piece of low, swampy country and just before coming to it my friend caught a glimpse of what he thought was a large grizzly bear going speedily through the bush. Wasn't the Englishman excited! A few well-directed spider-like movements landed him back on the launch. After his struggle for breath was over we learned the exciting news. We agreed that our friend should be allowed to do all the execution, while we kept in the background in order to help out should the brute attack.

Guns were made ready and a stealthy advance was commenced. At length the rifle of our friend went to his shoulder and bang! In a moment the monster was dead.

By this time it was quite dark, so we made haste and prepared to drag the game to the launch to be skinned. Finally, after tugging and working with all our strength, with perspiration pouring off our foreheads, we concluded the carcass was too heavy to be handled by only six ordinary men.

A suggestion was then made to run a line from the boat and attach it to the hand capstan and haul him along in that way. This scheme was tried and after working hard (putting more grease on the gears every ten minutes) our enthusiasm began to wane and before another half hour had passed it was decided to leave the monster where it was until daylight, when it would be skinned where it lay.

We were up bright and early the next morning and while breakfast was being prepared the hunting and skinning knives were ground and sharpened to a fine edge and fit to cut the toughest hide or even to shave with.

Breakfast was finished and we trooped off to where lay the king of the forest (especially the low-lying swampy fringed forest) and after coats were thrown off and sleeves rolled up to above the elbows the operation of skinning was ready to commence.

Our friend the Englishman was naturally anxious that the job be a neat one, as he certainly was anxious to have that hide mounted, especially on account of its large size and its being the first specimen of big game killed by him in Cassiar, and he suggested that we wait a few minutes longer until it was full daylight.

At last the light of the rising sun commenced to show brightly in the east until it ended in one great burst of brilliant glory which held us as in a trance admiring its beauty.

Finally we turned to the animal and the work of skinning. One glance in the improved light was sufficient to show that there was something wrong, and that our grizzly bear was not a bear after all.

But what was it? Owing to my years of experience the matter was referred to me, and after making a close examination I was able to announce with surety that the supposed grizzly bear wasonly a common, everyday Stikine River mosquito, of perhaps a little greater size than is usually encountered.

It was then up to everyone to remark that they were sure from the first that it was not a bear. But the climax was reached when the Englishmanexpressed surprise that we had any doubts about what the animal really wasright from the start, because he had killed itonly to get the stinger, which, he was told, made an excellent golf club.

In the June issue I note a reference to the pigeon trap at H.B.C. Calgary Gun Club.

As a devotee of the gun myself, and without any wish to presume to dictate to Mr. Chamberlain or any member of the Gun Club, I would respectfully draw his attention to the fact that the practice of shooting live pigeons sprung from traps has received severe condemnation; so much so that it is contemplated to discontinue the "sport" at Monte Carlo, Biarritz, and many other fashionable resorts. Also the British parliament intended to set the seal of its disapproval on this pastime by an Act which would render it prohibitive.

The Timesof April 27th, 1921, says:"A standing committee of the House of Commons, over which Mr. Hodge presided, yesterday considered the Bill introduced by Sir Burton Chadwick to prohibit the use of captive birds in all shooting carried on under artificial conditions."Sir Burton Chadwick moved a minor amendment to Clause 1, which renders any person concerned in shooting of captive birds liable to a maximum fine of £25, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both."Again on May 27th,The Timesreports:"We are able to state on high authority that the directors of the Casino at Monte Carlo have decided to abandon the use of living birds in the pigeon-shooting competitions at Monte Carlo."John McMurray, Chief Accountant's Office,Winnipeg

The Timesof April 27th, 1921, says:

"A standing committee of the House of Commons, over which Mr. Hodge presided, yesterday considered the Bill introduced by Sir Burton Chadwick to prohibit the use of captive birds in all shooting carried on under artificial conditions.

"Sir Burton Chadwick moved a minor amendment to Clause 1, which renders any person concerned in shooting of captive birds liable to a maximum fine of £25, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both."

Again on May 27th,The Timesreports:

"We are able to state on high authority that the directors of the Casino at Monte Carlo have decided to abandon the use of living birds in the pigeon-shooting competitions at Monte Carlo."

John McMurray, Chief Accountant's Office,Winnipeg

Joseph Sinclair, 83, a former H.B.C. fur trader at York Factory and in the Saskatchewan district, was admitted to the Winnipeg General Hospital on April 21st. Mr. Sinclair is suffering from cancer, a rodent ulcer on the face. He has had an attack of pneumonia while in hospital, but recovered and according to his physician is doing as well as could be expected.

About the year 1879 a party of Metis hunters came to the plains southwest of the present situation of Regina, Saskatchewan, to hunt buffalo. The party consisted of the father, a man then on the elderly side of middle age, but who had been in his youth a noted buffalo runner and Indian fighter; his wife, a heavy half-breed woman of some fifty years; and his daughter, a girl of about seventeen of a comely and attractive appearance.

The father, according to his custom, followed the chase on horseback, the old woman, seated amongst robes and camp baggage, drove the creaking Red river cart, whilst the young girl was in and out of the vehicle like an eager young spirit of the prairie.

That season there were very few carts which came to the plains after buffalo. The great herds that used to blacken the country to the rim of the horison had thundered away into the limbo of the lost, and all that was left of them was a few stragglers that still haunted some of the more remote valley bottoms.

The halfbreeds had strange and superstitious ideas about the passing of the buffalo. They could not believe that they had gone never to return. It was only yesterday that the plains were black with the shaggy herds. Their trails and wallows were still to be seen everywhere.

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