DEESS. 9 



material, cut evenly below, reaches to the middle ; 

 the ends of a piece of cloth secured to a waistband, 

 hang down before and behind; hose or Indian 

 stockings descend from the top of the thigh to the 

 ankle ; and a pair of mokassins or shoes of the 

 same soft leather, with tops which fold round the 

 ankle, complete the costume. When the hunter is 

 equipped for the chase, he wears, in addition, a 

 stripe of white hare-skin, or of the belly part of a 

 deer-skin, in a bandeau round the head, with his 

 lank, black elf-locks streaming from beneath ; a shot 

 pouch, suspended by an embroidered belt, which 

 crosses the shoulder ; a fire-bag or tobacco-pouch 

 tucked into the girdle ; a pair of mittens ; and a 

 long fowling-piece in its coat thrown carelessly 

 across the arm or balanced on the back of the neck. 

 The several articles here enumerated are orna- 

 mented at the seams and hems with leathern thongs 

 wound round with porcupine quills, or are more or 

 less embroidered with bead- work, according to the 

 industry of the wife or wives. One of the young 

 men even of the slovenly Dog-rib tribe, when newly 

 equipped from top to toe, and tripping jauntily over 

 the mossy ground with an elastic step, displays his 

 slim and not ungraceful figure to advantage. But 

 this fine dress, once donned, is neither laid aside nor 

 cleaned while it lasts, and soon acquires a dingy 

 look, and an odour which can be perceived from 



