at the Big House. We found the surroundings and people unique and
interesting. There were lumbermen, trappers, and fishermen--a
motley gathering of Newfoundlanders, Nova Scotians, Eskimos and
"breeds," the latter being a comprehensive name for persons whose
origin is a mixture in various combinations and proportions of
Eskimo, Indian, and European. All were friendly and talkative, and
hungry for news of the outside world.

Lying around everywhere, or skulking about the reservation, were
big Eskimo dogs that looked for all the world like wolves in
subjection. We were warned not to attempt to play with them, as
they were extremely treacherous. Only a few days before a little
Eskimo boy who stumbled and fell was set upon by a pack and all but
killed before the brutes were driven off. The night we arrived at
Rigolet the pack killed one of their own number and ate him, only a
little piece of fur remaining in the morning to tell the tale.

Within an hour after we reached the post, Dr. Simpson arrived on
the Julia Sheridan; but as he had neglected to bring the mail for
Northwest River Post that the Virginia Lake had left at Indian
Harbour, he had to return at once. Dr. Simpson not being permitted
by his principles to run his boat on Sunday, unless in a case of
great necessity, we were told not to expect the Julia Sheridan back
from Indian Harbour until Monday noon; and so we were compelled to
possess our souls in patience and enjoy the hospitality of Mr.
Fraser. I must confess that while I was anxious to get on, I was
at the same time not so greatly disappointed at our enforced delay;
it gave me an opportunity to see something of the novel life of the
post.