76 THE YOUNG FUR-TRADERS.

knives; twine for nets, vermilion for war-paint, fish-
hooks and scalping-knives, capotes, cloth, beads, needles,
and a host of miscellaneous articles, much too numerous
to mention. Here, also, occur periodical scenes of bustle
and excitement, when bands of natives arrive from distant
hunting-grounds, laden with rich furs, which are speedily
transferred to the Hudson’s Bay Company’s stores in
exchange for the goods aforementioned. And many a
tough wrangle has the trader on such occasions with
sharp natives, who might have graduated in Billingseate,
so close are they at a bargain. Here, too, voyageurs
are supplied with an equivalent for their wages, part in
advance, if they desire it (and they -generally do desire
it), and part at the conclusion of their long and arduous
voyages.

It is to one-of these stores, reader, that we wish to in-
troduce you now, that you may witness the men of the
“North brigade receive their advances.

The store at Fort Garry stands on the right of the fort,
as you enter by the front gate. Its interior resembles
that of the other stores in the country, being only a little
larger. A counter encloses a space sufficiently wide to
admit a dozen men, and serves to keep back those who
are more eager than the rest. | Inside this counter, at the
time we write of, stood our friend Peter Mactavish, who
was the presiding genius of the scene.

“Shut the door now, and lock it,’ said Peter, in an
authoritative tone, after eight or ten young voyageurs had
crushed into the space in front of the counter. “Tl not
supply you with so much as an ounce of tobacco if you
let in another man.”

Peter needed not to repeat the command. Three or
four stalwart shoulders were applied to the door, which
shut with a bang like a cannon-shot, and the key was
turned.