Perhaps in the
Indian Race, is

them, and who, until recently stiffened by "old time," stood the undisputed Champion, at distances varying from one to four miles. future our turn may come, as the not likely to produce another such as he, although his successor John Lefevbre is no mean antagonist.

As far back as 1840, the "Montreal" as already stated, goes for the date of its birth, although at that early period, it was not generally known by the name it now bears and was governed by no regularly organized club rules. Not until three years later was any attempt made at organization, yet the few who then gathered themselves together on Saturday afternoons for a "constitutional" tramp into the wilds of the country returning to relate their experience round the festive board, little fancied they were laying the foundation of an organization, which was to grow from twelve members into one whose roll runs into hundreds.

In the year 1843, the membership showing signs of an increase, an attempt was made to formally organize,and Col. Ermatinger was elected President No Constitution or By-Laws fettered the action of the Club, its rules were drawn from the unwritten traditions of this "Band of Brothers;" memory stood in the place of minutes, while loyalty to the "common law" of Snow Shoers made a formal code unnecessary.

In this year the "sporting" character of the organization fully developed itself and a man was found who was willing to try conclusions with the Redskins, in a long race on Snow Shoes, A Race of four miles was arranged and on the St. Pierre Race Course the issue was decided. The superiority of the "Unknown" soon manifested itself and the prophets for once had consulted their lucky star. Deroche,a Nor'West Voyageur proved himself equal to the occasion and won the race cleverly, aided by an artifice which reflected credit upon his ingenuity. The weather a few days previous to the match had been very mild, with rain, and the day before the Race, the track lay half under water, during the night it became colder leaving (on day of race) the greater part of the track, clear bright ice. This rather non-plussed the Aborigines, but served to develope the more civilized state of being in Deroche, who ingeniously contrived to fix spikes into the wood-work of his Shoes which enabled him to obtain a firm hold on the ice whilst his more uncivilized rivals were able to make but little headway-stay, it won't do to use that word so recklessly to all of the competitors, for the second. man in and a good second he was considering the advantages possessed by his conquerer, was our Honorary President,then in all his youth and beauty. Five Indians followed after "Evergreen" Hughes,

rather disgusted no doubt with the advance civilization had made in the half breed Deroche: Among the competitors, was the now great pilot chief Baptiste, and very few who know him, would fancy that he had ever aspired to the honors of the racing track; such was the case however and our friend Baptiste stood among the defeated ones.

In the steeple chase of one mile over four 4 feet hurdles which followed, only two competed andEdward Lamontagne won a hard fought battle from his game young opponent Frank Brown, whose frame lacked the magnificent strength and endurance which belonged to the winner.

Thus were the first races on shoes won in Canada under our auspices. We have no records of any other and may take the credit to ourselves of instituting the national sport of snow-shoeing.

These Races closed the season and the club finished up the day's sport with a jolly good dinner. We have to draw upon the imagination for the toasts and witty speeches which must have flashed across the board from a congregation of such wit and talent.

During the season of 1844, the "club" took the usual weekly tramp on Saturday afternoons, having no set route merely tramping along after their leader till some one not quite so robust as the rest, would cry, "hold" and the "route" home was taken up.

It was during this season that the Indians introduced the "Racing Snow Shoe," weighing about one and a half pounds, and for one or two reasons would not sell them to the "pale faces."

In the races of February, 1844, Narcisse the great Indian runner wore the light shoes in the four mile contest. As the races took place upon the St. Pierre race course there was no regular track. Seven Indians and three white men started; two Indians immediately struck out for the lead, Narcisse third and the white men close behind. The leading Indians wore the old shoe and falling out at the end of the first mile, proved to the satisfaction of onlookers, that they only entered to beat a track for the champion Narcisse, who won a good race, Nicholas Hughes, second, an Indian third, C. Duchesnay, fourth, A. Lamontagne, the other white gave up during the race.

Hurdle race of half a mile over six, three feet hurdles followed, and E. Lamontagne the winner of last year's race, again proved himself an adept in clearing timber, Frank Brown having to content himself with second honours.

In the half mile dash, Frank Brown had his revenge, and in first class style ran away from five Indians, including Narcisse the winner of the four miles and the great chief Baptiste, who once more tried his luck with no better success than in the previous season.

The usual annual dinner closed the racing season.

SEASON 1845.

In this year the tramps, as usual occupied the foremost place, but some little attention was paid to training for the races. After holding a meeting on the subject it was decided to have public races and these took place upon the St. Pierre race track on the 10th February.

"The

We take the following account of these Races from one of the daily papers of that date :brilliant sun and fine bracing weather tempted hundreds of visitors from Montreal, and numbers of ladies graced the sports by their presence."

"The First Race was a sweepstake on snow shoes, four miles, entrance five shillings, to which was added a handsome silver cup. For this, seven competitors appeared, and it was won in 38 min. by Deroche, W. H. Boyd, coming in second."

"The Second Race, sweepstake one mile, with six hurdles to leap, entrance five shillings, to which was added a silver cup, only two contested and it was won by E. Lamontagne, with Abbott, second.

"After this, a purse was made up for boys under sixteen years. It was exceedingly well contested by twelve juveniles, and was cleverly won by Rogers, pressed by Napier. The time was very good, considering that the winner was only fourteen years of age."