Still on the Trail with the Dogs 263 



it most thoroughly and yet so kindly. No 

 mother ever more carefully and completely 

 tucked up her child in a crib or cradle than 

 do my faithful Indians thus tuck me up in 

 my robes and blankets in this snow, to pro- 

 tect me as much as possible from the bitter 

 cold. As stated, they begin at my feet and 

 gradually working up, they reach my 

 shoulders and then they fold back both the 

 blanket and fur robe over my head, and 

 begin tucking them under my shoulders. 



I had not at first been educated enough 

 in Indian methods to stand that kind of 

 sleeping, and so it was quite the thing for 

 me, after enduring the choking sensation 

 for a very brief period, suddenly to throw 

 everything off from my head and ask them : 

 " Why do you wish to smother me? " 



Patiently would they put up with my in- 

 experience and say: 



" We love you too well to smother you. 

 We know it must be difficult at first for 

 you to sleep in this way, but you will soon 

 be able to stand it, and indeed there is no 

 other safe way." 



No other safe way? Well, if that is the 

 case, I must try again, and so they patiently 



