OUR LITTLE POLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1848, 22 April 1887, Page 35

OUR LITTLE POLKS.

By Dot. STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA. By One of Oub Little Folks. The fur country is the place where the traders get the skins of the white bear, ermine, wolf, and other animals^ These skins are very valuable. In winter it is often so cold that people will not go out of their houses if they can help it. The traders build forts, and give them suitable names. The houses are generally of snow, or blocks of wood laid together. At one of these houses lived a party employed 1 by a company to procure furs. One night an astronomer was brought there frozen. He was taken to the house, and it was found that he was unconscious; and Captain Joliffe thought it best, to give him a bath in hot punch,' while Lieutenant Hobson thought, it would be better to give him a rubbing with snow. They gave him both 'the bath, and the rubbing with snow. After half an hour he began to revive. He was' then given a drink of hot punch. When he had revived he to]d them that his name was Thomas Black-. He came to the fort because he wanted to go further to explore the Afctic regions." Fort Reliance was situated on the greatest lake of the North of Canada? called the Great Slave Lake. The Hudson Bay Company profited by Indians, who exchanged skins for guns, knives, and other things, as well as by the agents. The "forts were protected by'palis>ades. The beaveruskins became so scarce that other kinds had to be given. A lady named Mrs Barnett, who was visiting at fort Reliance, had many opportunities of seeing the Indians and agents exchange ,things. The preparations to depart to the North Pole were speedily-made. Thomas Black was so taken up with the coming eclipse of the mocfn (in 1860) that he thought, of nothing else till they were ready to start. In all, there were to be 19 persons taken across the barren and cold country, There were a dozen sledges with six dogs ready to convey the party., ; Th&r clothes were lined with fur, but 'Hh*y all wore linen next the skin, on account of the frequent changes of temperature. Thur boots were made of sealskin, sewn with twine. These boots are impervious to water, and are flexible, so that? they" aref\w£ll adapted for walking. Snow ahoe^may.be attached to them, and these can support a man on the mest brittle snow. LieutenanjbHobson had pistols, sabre, and ammunition^ For tools he had axes, saws, and other instrtt- , taents needed. The party had stoves, airpumps, indiarubber boat,.&c. They might, have relied on game for provisions, but, as delays had to be counted on, they took* rations with them. The lieutenant had a. small medicine chest, with necessary things to cope with the terrible affections .which, travellers in this inhospitable region are subject. The spring came at last, and the party made a Btart. They were first to go across the known district, between Great Blare Lake and* that of the Great Bear.

Captain Craventy called the men' together, and gave them good advice. Lieutenant Hobson led the way, the others were to keep at the same distance from ' each other on their journey. ■'"'' (To fa continued.)