Volume 1

SKIN CANOES—PEMBINA SITE SELECTED. l8l
some others to settle the men's accounts. i6th. I sent off
the canoes with the remaining property, the summer men,
etc., for Panbian river, and dispatched to the Forks two
men in two skin canoes loaded with bags of pemmican,
10 in each.
These canoes are made by constructing a frame with willows,
nearly in the shape of a canoe, and stretching one or
sometimes two raw buffalo hides over this frame,
according
to the required size ;
if two, they are cut square at the
shoulders and sewed together with sinews. The sides are
then brought over the largest
willow, which serves as the
gunnel, and lashed fast with leather cords. The hair is
generally on the inside. These canoes will carry great
loads, but it is necessary to unload them at least once a day
and dry them in the sun or over the fire ;
otherwise they
would soon sink. They are only fit for drifting down the
current.
May ijth. The baggages, 40 pieces per canoe and two
men in each, were sent off to the Forks. I went up to Panbian
river on horseback to find a proper spot for building.
I got there at twelve o'clock, crossed Red river with Desmarais,
planted my potatoes and sowed a few garden seeds
on the spot where Mr. Grant's fort stood. We recrossed,
and, after examining the ground, pitched on the N. side
Panbian river, at the point of land between that and Red
river, about 100 paces from each. The ground was so encumbered
with large fallen trees, and the underwood so intricate,
that we could not see ten yards before us ;
however,
I drew out the place as soon as possible. Between this
spot and the plains on the W. are great numbers of fine
large oaks, very proper for building, and on the N. side, between
this and a small rivulet, are plenty of fine large bois
blancs, proper for flooring and covering. The stockades
of
years since among the Shawanees." Tanner's probable date is too late for the
particular story Henry had from Tabashaw ; but the woods were as full of
volunteer Messiahs in those days as they are now, and Tabashaw could easily
have been favored with such a revelation as he professed to have received.