The following day all the men, except Job, were ill, and camp was
not moved till Thursday morning. When evening came, the outfit had
been taken forward three and a half miles. The three small lakes
we had passed had given about one mile of paddling, and at night
our camp was made at the edge of the fourth, a tiny still water
pond.

The flies were that day worse than I had ever seen them. My veil
proving an insufficient protection, I made myself a mask from one
of the little waterproof bags, cutting a large hole in front
through which I could see and breathe, and sewing over it several
thicknesses of black veiling. There were as well two holes cut at
the back of the ears for ventilation-these also being covered with
the veiling. Pulling it over my head I tied it tight round my
neck. It was most fearful and hideous to look upon, but it kept
out the flies. The men insisted that I should have to take it off
when we came to the Nascaupees else they would certainly shoot me.
The flies were in clouds that day, and even their tapping on the
outside of my mask made me shudder. I ached as I watched the men
carrying their heavy loads, for it was very, very hot, and they
wore no protection whatever. How they endured so uncomplainingly I
could not understand, and they rarely wore their veils. It was an
unspeakable relief when the clear, cool night closed in, and for a
time put an end to the torture.




CHAPTER VIII