He tells us he
killed a caribou to-day, a big stag.
April 22nd. - This morning gave our dogs a little rest, and did not
start from Mr. Bakie's till noon. Our dogs are so poor that most
of them are chaffed with the harness, and a mixed team, some water
dogs, some Esquimaux dogs. The water dogs do not stand the hard
work near so well as the huskies, and get played sooner. Before we
started to-day one of the men killed four caribou there. Came here
this evening at Bell Shepherd's.
Saturday evening, April 22rd. - Got to Rigolette. Mr. M'Kenzie
caught up to us just a few miles before getting to Rigolette, and
we got there together. Mr. Fraser, the agent at Rigolette, has
some time ago been telling Jerry Flowers and his brother that we
would be along at Rigolette, and asked them if they would help us
along to Cartwright, and that he would let them know when we came
to Rigolette.
Sunday, April 24th. - Mr. Fraser sent off two men to go and tell
Jerry and his brother that we are at Rigolette.
Monday, April 25th. - Early this morning Jerry and brother came with
team of dogs each, but they wouldn't go less than thirty dollars
each for two days' run. Mr. Fraser told them they were charging
too much and wouldn't have them, but got some other men for us.
Left Rigolette in the afternoon. Crossed over river in a boat.
Came to William Mugford's, 3 miles from Rigolette.
Tuesday, April 26th. - Snowing. Started at 6 A.M. Wind in our
faces before noon and the new snow made heavy going. I have Mr.
Hubbard's body on my sledge, and also some dunnage, and have four
dogs. George Pottle my teamster. Wallace has George Williams for
his teamster and six dogs. After noon the wind shifted to the
northwest and the wind blew the snow off the crust, and fine going.
A few ridges of hills we came over but not bad. Came 40 miles to-
day. Came to Sam Pottle's house at West Bay at 6.30 P.M.
Wednesday, April 27th. - Started from West Bay 7 A.M. Got to
Cartwright 4.30 P.M., 46 miles. Sam Pottle and George Williams our
teamsters. Drifting and cold all day.
Thursday, April 28th. - Staying here at the post. Mr. Swaffield,
agent here of the Hudson's Bay post, getting us another team. Only
enough dogs for one team here. Mr. Swaffield has sent for Charles
Davies to be ready for starting off in the morning.
Friday, April 29th. - This morning Mr. Davies took sick and was very
bad. So Mr. Swaffield had to get us another man in his place,
Walter Bird. Started 7 A.M. Got to Sandy Hill 2.30 P.M., and got
so soft we could not travel, especially through the portages.
Travelling mostly on ice.
