TWENTY YEARS IN THE ROCKIES. 26 1 



night. Early next morning with ample provisions, we set 

 out for the half-breed's home. Our course lay through Hay 

 basin, a lonely little valley about a mile wide. The country 

 was dotted with small lakes and almost covered with ducks. 



We reached my guide's home, if it could be called a 

 home, about noon. His possessions were a little log cabin, 

 four lank cayuses, a dog and half-a-dozen children. There 

 seemed to be a family resmblance between the animals and 

 children. His wife owned most of the flesh on the premises, 

 her weight being two hundred and fifty pounds. I had taken 

 the precaution to bring a good bed with me, so was assured 

 of cleanliness and comfort. After examining all of our outfit 

 the curiosity of the children was satisfied. I began to clean 

 my gun and prepare for the morning. 



As only one bed was visible, I wondered how this family 

 of eight would manage to sleep. Presently a large tick was 

 taken from the bed and spread upon the floor. The children 

 were all stored away in the bed and not a word was said, but 

 several pairs of roguish black eyes peered out under the cov- 

 ers while I arranged my blankets near by. The parents then 

 filled their pipes and began to smoke. 



In their plain cabin, with just enough to keep soul and 

 body together, the happiness of these people seemed com- 

 plete. The half-breed had married a Flathead squaw, and, 

 during the time of Reil's rebellion had moved to Montana 

 where he has lived and roamed ever since. After relating 

 many buffalo and other frontier stories, we turned in for the 

 night. We arose late in the morning, but were not long in 

 getting off,, as our pack horses were in the stable and our pro- 

 visons were soon packed. 



We began to ascend Dearborn canyon on the north wall. 

 Each of us rode one horse and Lafarge, the half-breed, led 

 the pack horse. While going over some rough ground, the 



