Part 3

The seaplane to the Indians was a matter of great mystery and for long bands of them stood gazing at the craft which the white men had handled so dexterously.

During their subsequent trips to their base near Cochrane they very kindly carried our outward mails.

The object of the seaplane's journey was the recording by motion pictures the life and customs of the inhabitants of northern Canada.--_G.F._

FAMOUS TRIPS BY H.B.C. DOG TEAMS

107 Miles from Dawn to Dark

By H. M. S. COTTER, _Cumberland House_

In the year 1896 I was in charge of H.B.C. Northwest River Post on the Labrador. It was customary for the post managers to assemble annually at district headquarters which at that time was located at Rigolet on the coast. This council was usually held in April on a specified date. Rigolet is ninety-two miles from Northwest River by the winter trail. The trip occupies two days as a rule, and when we left the Post it was the intention as usual _to run the first fifty miles and camp_ for the night at a place named the Lowlands.

We had the ordinary length of sled or "komatik," which is about twelve feet long and weighs about a hundred pounds. We carried a load of about six hundred pounds, which in that part of the country is considered light.

We left the Post at 4.30 a.m. April 7th, 1896, just before dawn. The sky was somewhat overcast and a light wind was blowing from Southwest. The travelling was good, particularly in the early morning, as the melted snow of the previous day had dried up during the night.

Our nine dogs were in the very pink of condition. They displayed a fierce eagerness to reach the sealing grounds, nine miles below the Post.

"Lieutenant" was the leader's name, and second leader, "Friday." Both these dogs were famous as seal hunters. There was "nothing on four legs," it was claimed, ever approached them either in respect of speed or ability to scent seals at long distance. After we reached the sealing grounds the team broke into a mad pace. No sooner had they run down one batch of seals than the leaders would scent others long before they were visible. In this way the speed of the whole team was maintained at a high rate.

As the local saying was, the dogs were "seal mad" and getting out of hand. I had been over these sealing grounds many times, but never had seen so many seals as on this day. Around the seal or blowing holes they were not in large numbers, but along the cracks which opened across the bay and ran for fifteen or twenty miles, the seals were literally in thousands. It was good sport chasing them. We stopped several times and speared four, adding about three hundred pounds to our load. But this seemed to make no difference in the speed of the dogs.

Finally we got into the Lowlands just before noon, having covered fully sixty-five miles of our journey. As it was yet early and the dogs appeared fresh as when they started, we decided after having a light lunch, to go on to the next stopping place seventeen miles below. The going was excellent and we did the first twelve miles in ninety minutes; but coming to rough and hummocky ice we had to bear in towards the shore to get around it. The wind had swept the rocks clean of snow. Just as we got on land some caribou appeared across our course immediately ahead. Well, talk about dogs moving! Their former speed seemed slow in comparison. They raced over the naked rocks like wolves. I remember looking behind and seeing a stream of fire flying from the steel shoeing of the sledge like a shower of sparks from a high-speed emery wheel. The caribou moved off into the valley and we had a tough job to get the team onto the ice again. Here we came in sight of more seals. Off we went again from our course and past the stopping place we had planned; so we decided to go right on to our destination. _We arrived at Rigolet before 8 p.m._

The Post managers came out and greeted us warmly, remarking however that we had made slow time, arriving so late in the evening. _They thought we had left the previous day._ When I announced that we had left only that morning they said "like ---- you did." We had lost two hours, but in the fourteen and a half hours we had been actually travelling we had covered a hundred and seven miles. I am not claiming this is a record, but it is one of the fastest trips ever made by an H.B.C. dog team with full load.

_Editor's Note--Mr. James Fraser, who later became H.B.C. District Manager in Esquimaux Bay, made the trip from Rigolet to Northwest River in one day on a previous occasion, but as he lost a twenty-eight pound keg of white lead on the way up much of the glory vanished. The foregoing is the first of a series of authentic stories which The Beaver plans to carry in a regular department which may be styled the "Dog Column"--just plain DOG. Men of the Hudson's Bay: bestir your "recollection equipment" and let us know if you have a better dog story than Mr. Cotter's. Particularly are we expecting to hear from J. J. G. Rosser, of Isle a la Crosse, and Ashton Alston, of Barriere, both famous "dog skinners."_

LITTLE JOURNEYS TO THE HAUNTS OF CANADA'S FUR-BEARING ANIMALS

I.

THE BEAVER

(_Continued from last Issue_)

They have their young during June. When one year old they have two or three only, the next year as many as six, but in after years the average number is four. The young stay with their parents for two years and in the third year they leave and make a home or mate with others who are making homes for themselves. Under the old unwritten laws of the Indians, a trap must not be set closer than two hundred yards from a house, because the young beaver never go that far away from home, therefore only the two years and older ones would be caught.

_Method of Drowning Beaver_

Owing to their custom of immediately using their teeth on anything that interferes with their liberty, a trap must be set in such a way that the animal drowns or he will in a very few seconds cut his imprisoned foot off close to the shoulder. The system of drowning is as simple as it is effective. Every trap chain has a ring on the end of it and is usually set on the edge of fairly deep water with the chain ring over a stick that has about half an inch of each branch left on, and has been shoved in the mud out in deep water. The first thing the beaver does when caught is to spring out into the water, taking of course train and trap with him, and the ring easily and naturally slips down the pole and when it reached the bottom immediately checks the flight of the beaver and does not allow him to even come to the surface again. Consequently, he is drowned in a very few moments. Ordinarily he can stay under water for about ten minutes, but when excited and fighting as he would do when caught, will drown quickly.

_Beaver Tail Useful Implement_

The beaver uses its tail to steer with while swimming and to carry the mud necessary to construct his house. He will scratch a little pile of earth up with his fore paws, then turn around and scoop his tail under the loose mud, holding it stiff and straight out behind on the level of the water while he swims off to where building operations are going on.

_How the Beaver Stores Food_

The beaver's winter store of food is not put too close to the house, but usually a considerable distance off; sometimes in deep water in the middle of a pond or under a bank where the water is too deep to freeze to the bottom. Sticks of cottonwood, cut as large as can conveniently be handled, are pulled or even carried on their shoulders while they walk in an upright position to the water, then floated to the spot selected. These sticks are not shoved into the mud as has often been stated, but are piled up or built up just as we would build a raft--the first layer lying one way, and the second layer crossways on top, each layer having all crevices filled up with mud until the larder is sufficient for his winter's needs, and is weighed down level with the top of the water. When he starts to draw from this store, he pulls a stick out from the bottom and takes it off to his tunnel leading to the bank close by his house where meals are served.

_Easy To Approach Beaver From Windward Side_

Animals usually can detect the approach of danger if it comes from the windward side. The beaver is not an exception, but one can be within a few feet of them when the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, and they fail to get the scent. For example, an Indian wanted a beaver to eat and as just before camping for the night he had passed some cuttings only a little way back on the trail, he decided to go back after dark and see what luck there was for him. He was careful to approach the workings from the windward side and after listening attentively he could hear a beaver cutting trees up on the hill side above him. He selected a sheltered spot in some brush on the windward side of the slide or the road that was used by the beaver to skid down the cut wood. Presently along came the animal, struggling with a large piece of cottonwood. The Indian waited until after the beaver had passed him, then reached out and caught the stick, holding it firmly, and as soon as the beaver was satisfied that it was caught it walked back with the intention of cutting it loose only to get hit on the head with a stick and killed by the Indian.

_The Beaver a Castorum Factory_

Both male and female have a pair of glands lying lengthways on the inside of the skin at the lower extremities, which does not appear to be controlled as other organs are, but are emptied with the hand by a downward pressure. The secretion contained in these two bags is a solid from which oil is extracted and is completely emptied once each year. Close by every house a handful of dry grass is gathered up and the castorum deposited, then a few tail-fulls of mud are put on top of it. What this is done for I am not certain but think it is like a challenge or a sign that all trespassers will have to fight. When the bags are emptied in the fall the beaver visit jackpine forests and eat largely of the gum, I am told by the Indians, for the purpose of replenishing the castorum supply, and this is likely true, because the odor and character of the deposit is not unlike pine gum. Castorum has a peculiar attraction for all wild animals, and the Indians put it to account by using it as a trap scent. Another advantage it has is that though an oil substance it is of such a nature that when rubbed on iron traps and set under water it will not leave the trap and float up like all other oil substances will do. Commercially it is used as a body in perfumes, likely also on account of its being able to retain the perfume for such a long time.

(_To be continued_)

G. L. Bellingham Won Way From Clerkship in Land Dept.

_Assistant Land Commissioner--A Man to Whom Accuracy is Next to Godliness--Has Earned Continuous Promotion Through 18 Years._

By B. A. EVERITT, _Associate Editor_

Mr. G. L. Bellingham, assistant to the land commissioner, hails from Wales but he has been so long in Canada and has for so many years dealt with H.B.C. farm lands that he knows his adopted country possibly better than his native soil. Mr. Bellingham is so intimately in touch with the Company's widespread land holdings that he can almost tell one the value, topography, the soil and the tonnage of wild hay on any H.B.C. parcel out of several thousand dotted over the prairie maps.

_Likes to See a "Square Deal" All Round_

Mr. Bellingham is keen, active and earnest, with a typical British temperament, which often reminds one that he is a fighting man all through--prepared to hold his own in any transaction. Those who know him best admire his faculty for getting at the "root of things" quickly and his insistence on absolute justice being meted out to all concerned.

_Insists on Clear Understanding_

Any arrangement made with Mr. Bellingham could not possibly be misunderstood or confused. His mastery of details and clearcut registering of all salient points--always followed by a careful recapitulation--makes issues unforgettable, whether the occasion be the sale of a section of land or the arrangement of a curling match. He is as careful in even the most unimportant dealings as if making a legal contract.

Mr. Bellingham was born at Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, June 17th, 1875. Educated in London and North of England, he entered a Lancashire stockbroker's office in 1889, where he remained for two years. For ten years, subsequently, he was in the employ of the town council, resigning the position of assistant secretary in 1902, to embark for Canada.

_Has a Try at Tilling the Soil_

The desire to get "back to the land" had got a strong hold upon him, and Canada's great West presented the most alluring prospects to the young and adventurous agriculturist.

One week of the farm's hard labor sufficed. Mr. Bellingham's illusions of the joy of currying the prairies as a means of enticing wealth broke and died as the proverbial bubble. His first farm job was either too "hefty" for Mr. Bellingham or he was not powerful enough for it.

_Joined H.B.C. as Clerk in 1902_

In Winnipeg, May 16th, 1902, he applied for and obtained a junior position in the Company's land department, of which Mr. Montague Aldous was chief clerk and Mr. C. C. Chipman, Commissioner.

_Faithful Effort Gains Promotions_

Mr. Bellingham applied himself earnestly to learning all there was to know about land and H.B.C. methods of doing business. He was assigned one duty after another and, as his good work came to the notice of his superiors, "graduated" from each new position to a better one. To-day, he is assistant to the land commissioner, Mr. H. F. Harman.

When the Company's Edmonton townsite sale of 1912 was inaugurated, Mr. Bellingham was chosen to take charge of the Edmonton branch, in which capacity he remained until June, 1916, being then recalled to Winnipeg to deputize for the assistant land commissioner during the latter's absence in France.

WHAT HAPPENED AT MOOSE FACTORY DURING SUMMER AND FALL, 1920

Extracts from the Post Journal from Entries by J. L. Gaudet, Post Manager

July 1st--Our steamer, the "Inenew," left this morning on her first trip to Charlton Island, taking the District staff to the island for the summer, as this is our summer distributing point. Dr. Stewart and Rev. W. G. Walton were passengers.

July 6th--The steamer returned with a cargo for Moose Factory of Charlton Depot stock. The steamer returned to Charlton with a load of lumber which I am shipping to the Straits.

July 14th--The steamer returned with her second cargo from Charlton, and took another load of lumber for the Strait Posts. Mr. Johansen of the Biological Branch of the Naval Department of the Canadian Government, was a passenger on his way to Fort George. Mr. Fred McLeod and family were also passengers on their way to Woswonaby Post. Mr. McLeod is going there in the capacity of Post Manager.

July 21st--Mr. F. D. Wilson arrived here to-day with two apprentice clerks, Messrs. Beveridge and Findlay, both from Aberdeen, Scotland.

Aug. 3rd--Mr. Aurey, the government treaty paymaster, arrived here on his annual trip, paying treaty to the Indians. Mr. Aurey is assisted by Dr. Baker.

Aug. 10th--Mr. Russell and family, Mr. John Louttit and family, arrived with the schooner "Fort George." These gentlemen are on their way out to civilization. Mr. Russell was in charge of Fort George Post.

Aug. 14th--Mr. Romanet, general fur trade inspector, arrived here with Mrs. Romanet and two children. Mr. Romanet says he is here on an official visit from the Fur Trade Commissioner's Office. Inspector Phillips and Sgt. Joy, of the R.C.M. Police, also arrived to-day. They are on their way to the Belcher Islands to investigate some Eskimo murder case.

Aug. 17th--A large seaplane, "The Caaz," with Capt. Maxwell as pilot and Mr. Doan as engineer, landed here this afternoon. This is the first flying machine to come to Moose Factory and was quite a sight for our Indians.

Aug. 19th--The general inspector left on the schooner "Fort George" for Charlton Island this morning at 7 o'clock. A canoe carrying the ship's papers and two apprentice clerks, Mr. Gregory and Mr. Bremner, arrived at 1 p.m., just a few hours late to catch the schooner which I was holding for that purpose, so I had to get busy and send off our hay-boat with this mail to Charlton Island.

Aug. 23rd--The seaplane landed here to-day on her second trip from Remy Lake, which is a few miles from Cochrane, with two moving picture men, Mr. Blake and Mr. Tash. They claim that they are being sent by the Ontario Government to take pictures.

Aug. 26th--We had a visit from Capt. Mack to-day. He came with our schooner "Fort Charles" from Charlton Island, and states that they had a hard and trying trip coming through the Straits. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer were also passengers. Mr. Mayer is our worthy Post Manager at Great Whale River and is on his way out to civilization on a few months' leave.

Aug. 27th--The seaplane "Caaz" brought us some newspapers from Cochrane, dated Aug. 25th, with the latest news.

Aug. 31st--We have at last managed to extinguish the bush fire which was started by the Rev. Mr. Haythornthwaite on the 25th inst., after working day and night since it started. This will be quite a relief to the many families who are still camped across the river, as they were afraid to come back.

Sept. 2nd--Our steamer "Inenew" landed here to-day with our District Manager, Mr. Rackham, Mr. Romanet, the general inspector, Mr. Griffith, manager of Albany Post, who is acting as private secretary to the general inspector, Messrs. Blake and Tash, movie men, and the Rev. Mr. Walton were passengers. The seaplane "Caaz" also arrived from Remy Lake with Mr. Griffin, representing the Toronto _Star_, as passenger.

Sept. 21st--Mr. A. Nicolson and family arrived this evening from Rupert's House, after a hard and trying trip around the coast. Mr. Nicolson has been in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company for forty years. It is with much regret that we see Mr. Nicolson severing his active services with the good old Company.

Sept. 23rd--Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson and child landed here to-day after spending a few months' holiday in civilization. Mr. Anderson is on his way to his Post, which is Attawapiskat.

Oct. 1st--The steamer "Inenew" landed here to-day with the District Office staff and the balance of our outfit. This finishes our season's transport.

Oct. 7th--Capt. G. R. Redfearn, A. Guibeau, engineer, Inspector Phillips, Sgt. Joy, Mr. Johansen and Mr. Sainsbury left this morning for Clute.

Oct. 9th--Hauled out the S.S. "Inenew" to winter quarters and stored away the hauling gear.

Oct. 27th--Packet canoes returned from the line to-day and by them received the first issue of our magazine, _The Beaver_.

Oct. 29th--Mr. G. R. Ray, fur trade inspector, and Mr. J. B. Neil arrived here to-day at mid day.

Nov. 10th--The river is frozen over, and hardly any snow on the ground as yet. We are having fine weather.--J. L. Gaudet, Post Manager.

The Ghost is Foiled in Lac Seul's Haunted Room

By R. O. OTTEN

It was Christmas at Lac Seul Post, that historic place, well known to men of the North. Quite a number of the Outpost managers had come in to spend Christmas with the Post Manager and his family. The last to arrive was Mr. R. He had travelled over 200 miles by dog team and cariole to get there. After the hand-shaking was over, Mr. M., the Post Manager, drew Mr. R. aside and asked if he believed in ghosts. Mr. R. laughed and said he didn't believe in any kind of spirits, except the kind they used to have at Christmas in the old days, but wanted to know what the joke was. The Post Manager told him that he had only one room left vacant, and nobody had slept in that room for years as it was supposed to be haunted.

The story was that on two different occasions at the usual Christmas gathering of the Outpost managers, there had been tragic endings to several guests who had occupied that room. Both had died from having their throats cut from ear to ear--and no one had slept there since. Mr. R. said he didn't believe in such nonsense as ghosts, and wanted to be shown to the room, as he wanted to get a shave and clean-up before dinner. He said any kind of a room would look good to him after sleeping in the snow for the past week.

The Post Manager showed him to the room which was situated at the rear of the large dwelling house, away from the rest of the guests. Mr. R. had just laid out his "glad rags" and was commencing to shave--he had the razor in his hand--when a feeling came over him that _he was not alone in the room_. Looking into the mirror, he was horrified to see there the reflection of a horrible face peering over his shoulder. He felt his wrist grasped by a claw-like hand. His hand was being forced slowly up and up, towards his throat. Mr. R. tried to call out for help, but he was powerless to utter a sound. The hand was still forcing the razor towards his victim's throat, then it started to draw it across. Mr. R. gave himself up for lost, when he felt the grip on his wrist loosen and a baffled expression came over the horrible face. That ghost was up against modern science. _Mr. R. was using a safety razor._

SASKATCHEWAN DISTRICT OFFICE NEWS

Congratulations would appear to be in order for Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, of Fort a la Corne Post, and their daughter Norah on the success attained by the latter at the recent St. Alban's College (Prince Albert) term examinations. The following is a quotation from the local paper:

"Miss Norah Armstrong, the gold medalist of the year at St. Alban's college, Prince Albert, holds an enviable record in the college. Miss Armstrong has been a student at St. Alban's for the past four years, taking her grade 8 diploma in 1917. She was successful in passing her junior matriculation examination in June, and now holds the St. Alban's scholarship to the University of Saskatchewan. In addition to her marked progress in her studies, Miss Armstrong has found time to distinguish herself along athletic lines, having won the tennis cup in singles, and also with Miss Phyllis Clarke in the doubles."

"SKIPPERING A SCOW" ON THE ATHABASCA

(_Continued from last number_)

By N. A. Howland

When the men in the scow realized their position they did not shout frenziedly for help. To them the most important business of the moment was to get a smoke.

_They Smoked While Facing Death_