CHAPTER XVI
 THE WEST, 1763-1812
143.  The Hudson's Bay Company.-During the last century 
of the French regime the Hudson's Bay Company had con-
tinued its trade. Its forts had fallen into the hands either
of De Troyes or of D'Iberville, but had been restored by

Image:
The West
at the Beginning of the 19th century


treaty. Though the dangers of war were past, the Com-
-pany still had its rivals in trade. The Canadian traders
made their long overland journey to the Bay and tempted
the Indians with showy trinkets and brandy. The major-
ity of the natives, however, remained loyal to the old com-
pany. 
144.Description of the fur trade.-Winter was the hunt-
ing season. The Indians covered a wide area of country
in the chase. After hunting within a radius of four or five
miles from their encampment, they moved on to fresh
grounds. The marten, squirrel, and ermine were generally
caught in traps or snares by the women and children. The
men, meanwhile, followed the deer and the buffalo. Hav-
ing once brought down these victims of the chase, they
cut off the choicest parts and left the remainder for the 
squaws to bring into camp on the following day.  A good 
hunter killed  five  or  six hundred beaver in a season. 
Usually, not more than one-sixth of the beaver skins found
their way to the trading-rooms of the fur companies. The 
greater number were used for tent and bed-coverings.
The trading took place, for the most part, in the summer,
when the rivers and lakes were clear of ice. It is true that
the Indians near the Bay often brought in their furs during
the winter and were made welcome by the traders. In the
summer season, however, the inland lakes and streams were 
dotted with fur-laden canoes making their way from the far
west and north. Lake Winnipeg was the meeting-

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