VISIT TO AN INDIAN LODGE. 271 



which had apparently been unvisited since the death 

 of its owners. The interior resembled that of an 

 ordinary Indian lodge. In one corner they found a 

 goodly collection of skins, among which were several 

 of the highly -prized silver fox. Some of the peltries 

 were almost valueless. These they rejected, and find- 

 ing no other objects worth removal, they shouldered 

 the packs into which they had bound the hides, and 

 again crossing the creek upon their impromptu bridge, 

 they wended their way towards the camp. It was 

 late in the afternoon when they arrived at a spot about 

 a mile distant from the encampment. Here, feeling 

 fatigued with their walk, as well as by the weight of 

 their burdens, they disembarrassed themselves of their 

 loads, and flung themselves upon a grassy bank 

 which commanded a good view of the river both up 

 down its course. Pierre produced his pipe, and having 

 filled it from his otter-skin pouch, he surrendered him- 

 self to its quiet enjoyment. At this spot the river was 

 several hundred yards across, the farther bank being 

 covered with trees almost to the edge of the water. 

 While vacantly gazing through the wreaths of smoke, 

 Pierre's eye was suddenly arrested by an object which 

 moved behind some bushes near the verge of the 

 opposite bank. For some moments it remained sta- 

 tionary; but presently it advanced from its shelter, 

 and both the hunters immediately observed it to be a 

 bear. The animal apparently had not perceived them, 

 as it came boldly forward to the water. 



