A few days brought our travellers to the settlement of Red River, where
they made but a very short stay; and, having procured a few articles
which they stood in need of, they resumed their journey, and floated on
towards Lake Winnipeg. The swans were seen in greater numbers than
ever. They were not less shy however, and Francois, as before, in vain
tried to get a shot at one. He was very desirous of bringing down one
of these noble birds, partly because the taste he had had of their flesh
had given him a liking for it; and partly because their shyness had
greatly tantalised him. One is always more eager to kill shy game, both
on account of the rarity of the thing, and the credit one gets for his
expertness. But the voyageurs had now got within less than twenty miles
of Lake Winnipeg, and Francois had not as yet shot a single swan. It
was not at all likely the eagles would help him to another. So there
would be no more roast swan for supper.
Norman, seeing how eager Francois was to shoot one of these birds,
resolved to aid him by his advice.
"Cousin Frank," said he, one evening as they floated along, "you wish
very much to get a shot at the swans?"
"I do," replied Francois,--"I do; and if you can tell me how to
accomplish that business, I'll make you a present of this knife." Here
Francois held up a very handsome clasp-knife that he carried in his
pouch.
A knife in the fur countries is no insignificant affair. With a knife
you may sometimes buy a horse, or a tent, or a whole carcass of beef,
or, what is stranger still, a wife! To the hunter in these wild
regions--perhaps a thousand miles from where knives are sold--such a
thing is of very great value indeed; but the knife which Francois
offered to his cousin was a particularly fine one, and the latter had
once expressed a wish to become the owner of it. He was not slow,
therefore, in accepting the conditions.
"Well," rejoined he, "you must consent to travel a few miles by night,
and I think I can promise you a shot at the trumpeters--perhaps
several."
"What say you, brothers?" asked Francois, appealing to Basil and Lucien;
"shall we have the sport? Say yes."
"Oh! I have no objection," said Lucien.
"Nor I," added Basil. "On the contrary, I should like it above all
things. I wish very much to know what plan our cousin shall adopt. I
never heard of any mode of approaching these birds."
"Very well, then," answered Norman, "I shall have the pleasure of
instructing you in a way that is in use in these parts among the
Indians, who hunt the swan for its skin and quills, which they trade to
us at the post. We can manage it to-night, I think," continued he,
looking up at the sky: "there is no moon, and the sky is thick. Yes, it
will be dark enough."
"Is it necessary the night should be a dark one?" asked Francois.
"The darker the better," replied Norman. "To-night, if I am not
mistaken, will be as black as pitch. But we need to make some
preparations. It is near sundown, and we shall have just time to get
ready for the business. Let us get ashore, then, as quickly as
possible."
"Oh! certainly--let us land," replied all three at once.
The canoe was now turned to the shore; and when it had arrived within a
few feet of the land it was brought to a stop. Its keel was not allowed
to touch the bottom of the river, as that would have injured the little
craft. The greatest precaution is always observed both in landing and
embarking these vessels. The voyageurs first get out and wade to the
shore, one or two remaining to hold the canoe in its place. The cargo,
whatever it be, is then taken out and landed; and after that the canoe
itself is lifted out of the water, and carried ashore, where it is set,
bottom upward, to dry. The birch-bark canoe is so frail a structure,
that, were it brought rudely in contact either with the bottom or the
bank, it would be very much damaged, or might go to pieces altogether.
Hence the care with which it is handled. It is dangerous, also, to
stand upright in it, as it is so "crank" that it would easily turn over,
and spill both canoemen and cargo into the water. The voyageurs,
therefore, when once they have got in, remain seated during the whole
passage, shifting about as little as they can help. When landed for the
night, the canoe is always taken out of the water as described. The
bark is of a somewhat spongy nature; and if left in the water for a
length of time, would become soaked and heavy, and would not run so
well. When kept all night, bottom upward, it drips and becomes dryer
and lighter. In the morning, at the commencement of the day's journey,
it sits higher upon the water than in the afternoon and evening, and is
at that time more easily paddled along.
Our voyageurs, having got on shore, first kindled a fire to cook their
supper. This they intended to despatch earlier than usual, so as to
give them the early part of the night for their swan-hunt, which they
expected to finish before midnight. Lucien did the cooking, while
Norman, assisted by Basil and Francois, made his preparations for the
hunt. Francois, who was more interested in the result than any of them,
watched every movement of his cousin. Nothing escaped him.