about eleven o'clock
While our party of hunters were waiting in their shady retreat , secluded from observation , the Indians with as little noise as possible cut down and smoothly trimmed for use some poles . When fully prepared they were between ten and twelve feet long and from one to two inches in diameter . To the larger ends of each were securely lashed with deerskin thongs long , sharp , double-edged knives . It was about eleven o'clock ere the Indian scouts , sent out to watch the movements of the deer , returned with the report that the greater portion of the herd had taken to the water . In order to be sure of success in the hunt it was decided to carefully carry the canoes through the woods , and embark as near as possible to the spot where the deer had plunged into the lake . This would place the hunters in the rear of their game , and thus give them a very decided advantage . As the Indians were anxious to get as many reindeer as possible for the sake of the meat , a large portion of which they decided to make into pemmican , they decided to send out six canoes on this day 's expedition .