FRIENDSHIP OF NATIVES 197 



" fire," breaking the trail thus far, and making 

 the going for our sleds easier ; a final act of good- 

 fellowship arranged by the people at the Fort. 

 Gewgewsh had trailed with me to the edge of the 

 Barren Grounds and had taken upon himself 

 this delicate manner of showing friendship which 

 is typical of the refinement and chivalry of the 

 best of the Indians, who are sometimes, at heart, 

 true men. 



With a purpose I have dwelt at some length 

 on the friendship of natives, for I believe that 

 anyone who wishes to enjoy travel or sport far 

 afield in any land should always try to accept 

 the native as a well-meaning character, no 

 matter how strange their lives and manners may 

 be in contrast to our own ; they are, after all, but 

 children of circumstance, with colour, character, 

 environment, irrevocably inherited. Their seem- 

 ing stupidity, or sullen nonchalance, especially 

 if confused by overbearing command or reproach, 

 does often, it seems to me, come about through 

 lack of full understanding, particularly in lan- 

 guage, for one may not be able, in their native 

 tongue, to say explicitly that which one means, 

 and they, on their part, may not be capable 

 of phrasing their own language to convey to the 

 stranger addressed the full significance of their 

 reply. 



In any case, if early contact with natives prove 

 difficult and trying, it is well not to be disheartened 

 and suspicious of them, but to persevere while 

 accepting them as strange, rude people. In the 

 end, if this is done, there will result at least 

 a measure of mutual understanding, and the 



