C Ihe Ladies c cu. V'VVAN - History and Classics, Department of

206 Appendix 1SATURDAY 12 JUNESun'!)' d'!Y at last. Set out 10 0' c in Hubaco motor launch rented Iry Mr.Boa the shooting man from Hudson B. Go. Also Mr Hastings + Mr Moran withhis Movie Kodak. A 1/2 breed Pilot 1/2 breed Ganoeman + English mechanic.We steamed right aX river anchored + all 7 got into a cockleshell canoe and paddled close under a rapid in an Eddy + feltabout grounding on rocks till we landed on a flat granite (pink)island. No Pelicans to be seen + onJy then thry told us that Pelican Islandis above Mt Rapid + can onJy be approached from FitJ;i;erald: duds everyone ofthem muttered Gwen. However we enj'!Yed it much: great experiencestanding on that polished island with a waste of rapids + debrisall round us: scene ofloneliness + desolation: only somewooden frames on shores + islands where Indians had driedfish + by a pink island a line of floats of a fishing net. Back +landed on farther shore + followed track aX a mile or so all 7 of us + saw notchedtrees where gold seekers had staked claims. Tis hard to realise the vastnessof the country just here for the trees are so monotonous + forestline so low against the s9 that the wildness of it does not "sauterauxyeux": butwe realised it today: the debris brings it home as much asanything where a chip of wood + a tree trunk share the samefate + are tossed by the Rapids with equal facility. Back at 3: Gsketched + I sauntered Iry RG Gathedral along swamp back to Mrs Hasting's toborrow books. Mosquitoes bad.SUNDAY 13 JUNEHot. To RC Church with Mr Brabant + theJudge. Strange scene:we stood outside as the Indians came along + they shook handsw. Mr B + we were introduced to several including ChiefSquirrel ancient fires in his look now in yachting cap + slouchblue serge suit with longish gray black hair. Mr B remembershim in full war paint with feathers +c. Long service. Bearded priestpreached in French then Chipewyan (Jesus vous aime) in arapid voice. Thin female voices chanted mass. Tinsel + paper +gold lilies adorned the wooden building. The Indian faces were astucfy. High cheek bones chin runningfocward head running back: mediump~sique: one bigfellow with shock head + rolling ryes like a bull. The chiefwith patient not interested expression + a glazed look in his eyethat spoke of ancient fires, of strength diluted to resignation. Somefaces were bored some puzzled some absent not one thrilled orinspired. Thought of rough old Turks at Mohammedan service+ the differences. After we walked a mile or 2 up river bank + weretormented Iry mosquitoes: had to hold veil in one hand + eat bun inside with theother. 7.30 came the settlement folk to dinner Mr Mrs Master + MissMcDougall Mr + Mrs Hastings. Mr Fletcher Mr Murp~ the Post master +c +cAbout 20 or more of us: the Judge + Mr Brabant leading hostsdispensing much prized whisky + liqueur. Speeches: Hudsons B'!Y,wireless, Dept. Interior, Police +c +c : old Brabant in merry mood. The HBCogets much chat: "It was founded in 1602" O'Connor is alw'!Yss'!Ying.SOInetimes called "Half breed Curse" or "Here before Christ".Walked back to the Hastings' where we danced to a gramophonebut were recalled by telephone to S.S. Distributor. So back incool night air accompanied again by the Hastings + finally at1.30 pushed off: yells + screams + whoops of 1/2 breeds raisinganchor + cutting capers on piled boxes below, pale faces quitedistinct on shore even at that hour still night new moon + onestar: the roar of the rapids now grown such a friendly sound +slowly slowly we started off-off on our long long journey to thenorth last goodbyes + greetings being called from shore. So tobed bung-ryed. 2 good yarns we have heard: Irishman In New York where allpolice are Irish: he in a Ford Gar behind a Rolls R'!Yce or what not which pulledup rather suddenJy + he ran straight into it RR beckons policeman to take FordsNo. +c: "Matis yr. number? Name? Oh where from? Limerick? On me soul?And doya know Pat? + Mick +c Then at last "So the damned son of a bitchbacked intoyour car did he? I'll take his number . .. All this told Iry the Judge withinimitable Frenchflicks of rye brows + forefinger. The other yarn was of a1/2 breed marriage: agreement 1/2 children to be RCs 1/2 Ch.E. 27 children born + it became a yearly race whether RCBishop or Ch.E got down river 1st, RC nearly always won + hewas getting a big majority: regular annual Event. Ch. Econsulted Police Inspector: who replied that he must not onlyget down on 1st Boat each year but bring a fire hose + baptisethe infant from the steamer while the Bishop was steppingashore.MONDAY 14 JUNEDelightful d'!Y. Sunshine cool bree