308 PHEASANT BALLS OR DANCES. 
I was lucky enough to be present at several of 
these balls whilst at Fort Colville. Their usual 
time of assembling is about sunrise, and late in 
the afternoon; they select a high round-topped 
mound; and often, ere the fair are wooed and 
won, and the happy couple start on their domes- 
tic cares, the mound is trampled and beaten bare 
as a road. 
I had often longed to be present at one of 
these chicken-dances; and it so happened that, 
riding up into the hills early one spring morning, 
my most ardent wishes were fully realised. The 
peculiar ‘ chuck-chuck’ came clear and shrill upon 
the crisp frosty air, and told mea dance was afoot. 
I tied up my horse and my dog, and crept 
quietly along towards the knoll fron: whence the 
sound appeared to come. Taking advantage of 
some rocks, I weazled myself along, and, with- 
out exciting observation, gained the shelter of 
an old pine-stump close to the summit of a hil- 
lock; and there, sure enough, the ball was at its 
height. 
Reader, can you go back to the days of your 
first pantomime, your first Punch-and-Judy, or 
bring to your remembrance the fresh, bounding, 
joyous delight that you felt in the days of your 
youth, when you had before your eyes some long 
