Fish Calturists' Association. 17 



them. We found them very serviceable in assisting about our work, 

 although they were provokingly freakish. When they worked they 

 worked well, but when they did not want to work, they were as obstinate 

 as mules or as alevins — those who are accustomed to hatching fish will 

 appreciate this last allusion, I know — and then they would not lift a hand 

 to help us, however urgent the circumstances might be. I employed them 

 to help run the seine, to chop wood, to cook, to build dams, to work in 

 the water, to ^:ick out dead eggs, and to do various odd jobs. They were 

 especiall}' dexterous and nimble in picking over the eggs. Their slender 

 fingers and delicate touch seemed particularl}' adapted to this light work. 

 They could not always resist the temptation to pilfer such little things as 

 needles and soap, and sometimes a shirt, but considering the constant 

 opportunities fhey had for stealing on a larger scale, I think they deserve 

 a good deal of credit for not taking more than they did. I am of the 

 opinion that we should have lost more things in an average white com- 

 munity, under the same circumstances. 



INTERESTING CHARACTER OF CAMP LIFE. 



Our life at the camp was exceeding!}' interesting and pleasant. We 

 had a harmonious household, the work progressed satisfactorily, the 

 mountain air was invigorating, and the landscapes were beautiful, or 

 magnificent, according to the direction in which one looked. Ever}- 

 morning we were sure of a cloudless skj' and a pleasant day, and 

 although a quarter of a mile away the heat was intolerable ; nearer the 

 river side where we were, it was so tempered b}- the ic}' water of the 

 McCloud that we knew nothing about it. Everj- morning also it was a 

 matter of new interest to know what luck the seine had had the night 

 before, or how many eggs had been taken. 



Almost everj" day the Indians would bring in a coon or a mink or deer 

 or bear skin or at least some bit of news that interested us. The salmon 

 were jumping in the river in front of our house, at the rate of a thousand 

 an hour, and occasional!}' we would see an otter placing in the water 

 opposite. We frequently saw emigrant wagons dragging wearilj- along, 

 some going from California to Oregon, and some the reverse, both hoping 

 to make a change for the better. Twice ever}^ twenty-four hours the 

 Oregon stage with its six galloping horses made its fast time over the 

 stage road on the liills above us, carrying the mail from San Francisco, 

 California, to Portland, Oregon, and back. Altogether our life at the 

 camp, in spite of hard and persistent work, was interesting and pleasant. 



Our table was usually supplied with venison, trout and salmon grilse ; 

 the small grilse of the fall run generally being good eating. We also had 

 occasional!}' quails, squirrels, rabbits and fresh vegetables. Our staples 



