Running by the side of the cariole, one of his companions said to the bishop:
‘Perhaps God is not pleased at your leaving the Indians so soon. Should we get back safely, the Indians will be very glad to see you again, for they are not tired of the teaching you gave them.’
In the afternoon they came to the Indian hut before alluded to. It was full now; several hunters were there, and geese were abundant. They were made very welcome, and sitting round the fire, all listened with wrapt attention to the guide as he narrated the incidents of the day. When he had finished they expressed their wonder and joy at the escape.
‘Not long afterwards,’ says the bishop, ‘I went out to have a look at our surroundings. I soon came upon a curious sight: a high cross-like erection with lines attached to it covered with bones of animals and birds, and pieces of red and blue cloth and other things. I had never seen anything of the kind before, and had no idea what it was intended for. I called Wiskechan, the proprietor of the tent, and said, “What is this?”
‘“Oh,” said he, “this is my mistikokan (conjuring pole), which I shake in this way when I do my conjuring.”
‘Looking solemnly at him, I replied, “I have come to tell you of better things, of God’s willingness to give you all things through Jesus Christ, His Son. If you wish to accept the message I have brought, you must give up this.”
‘Without a moment’s hesitation he called for his axe, and instantly chopped the pole down. What a glorious end to a day of danger! My thanksgivings that night were very hearty. I slept in peace, surrounded by my red-skin brethren, and a little after the next noontide was again at Rupert’s House.’
Rupert’s House, which is called after Prince Rupert, cousin of King Charles II., to whom and a band of associates the king granted a charter, giving them exclusive rights to trade with the inhabitants of Hudson’s Bay, is situated near the mouth of Rupert’s River, which empties itself into the beautiful Hudson’s Bay, studded with picturesque islands. It lies one hundred miles east of Moose, from which it is reached by a sea voyage in summer along the southern shore of Hudson’s Bay, and by a snow-shoe or cariole journey in winter.
As a fur-trading post it is of considerable importance, being the head-quarters of a large district.