﻿A RESIDENCE AMONG THE INDIANS. 321 



to impossible. I watched the falling flakes with considerable regret, 

 for I knew that during the winter, which, in that country, is usually 

 long and severe, I should be kept pretty closely within the fort, and 

 that, until spring again returned, I could not expect a renewal of my 

 excursions about the prairies. However, sighing and regrets could 

 not mend the matter, so I resolved to make the best of it. 



Notwithstanding that we were kept pretty closely in doors, I found 

 abundant amusement and various methods of passing my time pleas- 

 antly. Hardly a day passed during which there were not more 01 

 less of the Indians with us, either trading for their furs, or lounging 

 about, watching for a good opportunity to steal something from us. 

 The Indian thinks it no disgrace to steal, provided it is done cun- 

 ningly, and without exposure; but if, as frequently happens, the 

 culprit is detected, he is subjected to the jokes and laughter of his 

 comrades for his failure. 



Among the Indians who daily visited our fort, I noticed one day 

 a young half-breed, about twenty years of age. His father was a 

 Canadian trapper. He was called by the Indians, Jol-lie-kin-i-wet, 

 or " the great bear trap." At the fort he went by the nickname 

 Jollie. He was a smart, active, bright-faced young man as I ever 

 saw, and was an especial favorite with all who knew him. Trained 

 up among these red men, and probably possessing a full share of 

 their native cunning, he was almost perfect in every accomplishment 

 deemed important among their wise men. If a council of war was 

 called by the "medicine men" in the village, Jollie was sure to be 

 consulted. If a buffalo hunt was in preparation among the young 

 warriors, none but Jollie could head them. With his rifle Jollie was 

 certainly wonderful. I have seen him often shoot the eyes from the 

 head of a duck, while flying, without apparently any extra exertion. 

 With this young fellow I soon became intimate, and we had many 

 a pleasant day together during that long, tiresome imprisonment. 

 I sometimes sat for hours together listening to Jollie's adventures, 

 many of which almost exceeded belief; and, had I not subsequently 

 seen him accomplish feats which were almost equal to his stories, 

 with apparently no self pride, I am inclined to think I should have 

 looked upon him as a story-teller. Yet an acquaintance of many 

 years has convinced me that in all things, his word could be de- 

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