LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 131 



wood is most comical. They will lie down stubbornly 

 at a little distance, whining their uneasiness, or some- 

 times scamper off bodily, with their long poles trailing 

 after them, pursued by the yelling and half-frantic 

 squaws. 



When the travees are laden, the squaws, bent double 

 under loads of wood sufficient to break a porter's back, 

 and calling to the dogs, which are urged on by the 

 buffalo-fed urchins in rear, lead the line of march. The 

 curs, taking advantage of the helpless state of their 

 mistresses, turn a deaf ear to their coaxings, lying 

 down every few yards to rest, growling and fighting 

 with each other, in which encounters every cur joins the 

 melee, charging pell-mell into the yelping throng, 

 upsetting the squalling children, and making confusion 

 worse confounded. Then, armed with lodge-poles, the 

 squaws, throwing down their loads, rush to the rescue, 

 dealing stalwart blows on the pugnacious curs, and 

 finally restoring something like order to the march. 



" Tszoo tszoo ! " they cry, " wah, kashne, ceitcha 

 get on, you devilish beasts tszoo tszoo!" and 

 belabouring them without mercy, they start them into 

 a gallop, which, once commenced, is generally con- 

 tinued till they reach their destination. 



The Indian dogs are, however, invariably well treated 

 by the squaws, since they assist materially the every-day 

 labours of these patient over- worked creatures, in hauling 

 firewood to the lodge, and, on the line of march, carrying 

 many of the household goods and chattels, which other- 

 wise the squaw herself would have to carry on her back. 



