The Last of the Plainsmen 



tinguishable doors. Fires smoked in holes in the 

 snow. Not till late in the day did any life manifest 

 itself round the tepees, and then a group of children, 

 poorly clad in ragged pieces of blankets and skins, 

 gaped at Jones. He saw their pinched, brown faces, 

 staring, hungry eyes, naked legs and throats, and 

 noted particularly their dwarfish size. When he 

 spoke they fled precipitously a little way, then turned. 

 He called again, and all ran except one small lad. 

 Jones went into the cabin and came out with a hand 

 ful of sugar in square lumps. 



&quot; Yellow Knife Indians,&quot; said Rea. &quot; A starved 

 tribe ! We re in for it.&quot; 



Jones made motions to the lad, but he remained 

 still, as if transfixed, and his black eyes stared 

 wonderingly. 



&quot; Molar nasu (white man good),&quot; said Rea. 



The lad came out of his trance and looked back 

 at his companions, who edged nearer. Jones ate a 

 lump of sugar, then handed one to the little Indian. 

 He took it gingerly, put it into his mouth and imme 

 diately jumped up and down. 



u Hoppieshampoolie ! Hoppieshampoolie ! &quot; he 

 shouted to his brothers and sisters. They came on 

 the run. 



&quot; Think he means sweet salt,&quot; interpreted Rea. 

 &quot; Of course these beggars never tasted sugar.&quot; 



156 



