EMPLOYMENT GREAT FALL HUNTDRESSING SKINS. 357 



The southern plains Indians turn the animal on its 

 back, and commence skinning, as we do, by a split down 

 the belly. The northern tribes turn the animal on its 

 belly, and make a starting slit down the spine. In either 

 case the skin is removed with marvellous celerity. The 

 meat, cut as closely as possible from the bones, is tied up 

 in the skin, and packed on ponies to camp. The entrails, 

 emptied of their contents, form the principal food of 

 all during the hunt, not only being the most delicious 

 morsel, but not requiring a waste of time in cooking. 

 Marrow bones and hump ribs roasted on the coals serve 

 for most delicious suppers after the day's work is done. 

 All these are prepared by the women and brought to 

 camp. 



The skins are spread flesh side upwards on a level 

 piece of ground, small slits are cut in the edges of each, 

 and it is tightly stretched and fastened down by wooden 

 pegs through the slits into the ground. The meat is cut 

 into thin flakes, and placed on the drying scaffolds or 

 poles. All this work is done in an incredibly short time. 

 Another surround is then made, and so on, until the 

 winter's supply is obtained. 



The hunt being over, or, in the intervals, if game is 

 scarce, the women proceed to ' gather the crop.' Old 

 parfleches are brushed up and new ones made. The now 

 thoroughly dried meat is pounded to powder between two 

 stones, and packed in these receptacles. Melted tallow is 

 poured over the whole, which is kept warm until the 

 mass is thoroughly saturated. When cold the parfleches 

 are closed and tightly tied up. The contents so prepared 

 will keep in good condition for several years. 



The dressing of skins is the next work. No tannin 

 is used, consequently no leather is made. The thickest 

 hides are selected for shields, parfleches, &c. The hair 

 is taken off by soaking the skins in water in which is 

 mixed wood ashes, lime, or some natural alkali. The 

 skin is then cut into the required shape arid put on a 



