The Men of the Last Frontier by Grey Owl

Author:Grey Owl [Owl, Grey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Cultural; Ethnic & Regional, Indigenous, Nature, Environmental Conservation & Protection, History, Canada, General
ISBN: 9781446547250
Google: dUp8CgAAQBAJ
Publisher: Read Books Ltd
Published: 2016-09-29T04:09:51+00:00

VI

THE FALL OF THE LEAF

"Now the Four-Way Lodge is open,

Now the Hunting Winds are loosed."

CHAPTER SIX

The Fall of the Leaf

Much has been written concerning the beauties and the joys of spring. Poets have glorified that time of flowers, and budding leaves, and frisking lambs in every language. I have, however, formed the opinion, after observing a good many of them, that spring is a time of the year to be regarded as something to look back on, or forward to, but not to enjoy. In the snow countries it is a season of floods, wet feet, bad trails, transportation difficulties, and shortage of supplies.

Easter is a favourite season for breaking ice, and carrying canoes on snowshoes over portages flooded with slush; whilst the weather is a nightmare of wet snowstorms and chill rains, or, if warm and clear the resultant thaw produces torrents of melted snow water and shaky ice. By the time these conditions mend equipment has been damaged far more than by the wear and tear of a whole year of honest travel. Men's patience is worn to a frazzle, and the seeds of a wasting sickness are often laid in the system of those who perforce must sleep out in the rain or not sleep at all.

Here, spring is a time of the year when the marriage market is weak, bootleggers' receipts are high, and those of the Church very low. I think the habitants[16] have a saint whose speciality it is to care for travellers at this season. I should much like to meet him, and discuss the matter quietly as between gentlemen, without witnesses.

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