There would be a few portages
but they were not long, and in some places it would be just a short
lift over; but it was all rapid nearly.
"And when you come to a river coming in on the other side in quite
a fall you are not far from the post."
There was a tightening in my throat as I thought, "What if I had
decided to turn back rather than winter in Labrador!"
"Did you see any Indians?" the chief asked.
"Yes, we have slept three times since we were at their camp."
"Were they getting any caribou?" was the next eager question. "Had
they seen any signs of the crossing?" George told them of the
great numbers we had seen and there followed an earnest discussion
among themselves as to the probability of the caribou passing near
them.
"Are you going up?" we enquired.
They replied, "No, not our country."
There were enquiries as to which way the caribou were passing, and
again they talked among themselves about their hopes and fears. We
learned that only three days before they had returned from Davis
Inlet where they go to trade for supplies as do the Montagnais.
They had come back from their long journey sick at heart to meet
empty handed those who waited in glad anticipation of this the
great event of the year--the return from the post.
Pages:
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215