Ready to Load

The fur trapper has spent many months trapping and tanning hides under the harsh conditions of the wilderness.  It is now time for the sale of his furs.  He has laboriously prepared bales (called "pieces") of approximating 90 pounds each.  Within each bale, the furs are arranged fur to fur and skin to skin in order to prevent damage to the pelt while traveling by canoe or pack horse.  Less valuable pelts were used as protection for the exterior of the bale.

In this scene, the pieces are ready to load into his canoe for transport to Rendezvous .  His Flintlock rifle is also loaded and ready to defend his precious cargo from those that would steal his hard earned treasure.