instruments, but nearly everything we had, and were handled and
inspected by our hosts, but not the slightest thing was filched. No
Labrador Indian north of the Grand River will ever disturb a cache
unless driven to it by the direst necessity, and even then will leave
something in payment for what he takes.

We told them of the evidences we had seen of the caribou migration
having taken place between Michikamau and Michikamats, and they were
mightily interested. They had missed it but were, nevertheless,
meeting small bands of caribou and making a good killing, as the
quantities of meat hanging everywhere to dry for winter use bore
evidence. The previous winter, they told us, was a hard one with
them. Reindeer and ptarmigan disappeared, and before spring they were
on the verge of starvation.

Our visit was made the occasion of a holiday and they devoted
themselves wholly to our entertainment, and I believe were genuinely
sorry when, on the afternoon after our arrival, I announced my
decision to break camp and proceed. They helped us get ready, drew a
rough sketch of the river so far as they knew it, and warned us to
look out for numerous rapids and some high falls around which there
was a portage trail. Farther on, they said, the river was joined by
another, and then it became a "big, big river," and for two days'
journey was good. Beyond that it was reported to be very bad. They
had never traveled it, because they heard it was so bad, and they
could not tell us, from their own knowledge, what it was like, but
repeated the warning, "Shepoo matchi, shepoo matchi" (River bad), and
told us to look out.

When we were ready to go, as a particular mark of good feeling, they