Around the curve of the bay and
stranded in the river-bed were more ice-banks.
While George, Joe, and Gilbert were busy preparing lunch Job
disappeared into the woods. Some time later he came back with four
stout dry poles. They were about nine feet long and two and a half
inches in diameter at the lower end. After lunch the work of
shaving and shoeing them began, and the crooked knife came into
use. It was fine to watch Job's quick, deft strokes as he made
them ready. The "shods" George had brought from Missanabie. These
were made at Moose Factory, and were the kind used throughout the
James Bay country. They were hollow cone-shaped pieces of iron a
quarter of an inch thick and open down one side, so that they might
not break with the strain. They were 4 inches long, rounded and
solid at the small end, and on either side, about an inch from the
top, was a hole to admit the nail which fastened the pole in place.
When finished they looked as if meant for heavy work.
All being now ready to proceed George said: "We will get in around
the point, Mrs. Hubbard."
I wondered why, and concluded it must be because the water was so
swift at the point.
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