Memories of a Bear Hunter 



tesy due him. Though sometimes visited by In- 

 dians, I was never troubled by them. When in 

 the camp at meal time, they were fed, but at no 

 time were their visits annoying. In fact, they 

 always treated me with respect, partly, perhaps, 

 on account of my reputation as a bear hunter. A 

 singular superstition prevails among the Indians 

 in regard to bear. 64 Knowing that the skin of this 

 animal is difficult to render soft and pliable, and 

 that the Indians were skillful in dressing all kinds 

 of skins, I made an effort to have some bear hides 

 tanned by these Indians. I then learned that they 

 could not be induced to touch the skins, nor would 

 they eat the flesh. 



In the latter part of June, just before the noon 

 meal, a small party of Crow Indians appeared at 

 camp. One of them was the son of a Crow named 

 Little Face, whom I had several times met. Hofer 

 and Corey, who could talk good Crow and make a 

 few signs, learned that the son of Little Face had 

 just married, and was now on his bridal trip. It 

 was therefore decided to give the party a meal of 

 fat elk, dried fruit and whatever luxuries the camp 

 afforded. Since in mountain life there are no 

 rooms to which guests may be invited, and the only 

 living room is around the camp-fire under the 

 broad canopy of heaven, all gathered there and 



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