62 ON SNOW-SHOES TO THE BARREN GROUNDS 



is, I think, its greatest advantage, because, if you do not 

 happen to have a wife to direct, or, having one, do not 

 stand high in her estimation, your socks will be of the 

 same size, and all too large. Consequently your feet will 

 slip about, which is most tiresome in 

 long and hard walking, and the socks 

 will freeze into wrinkles, and when 

 your snow-shoe strings have also be- 

 come frozen they will cut your toes 

 and instep, and very likely cripple you 

 eventually. While your moccasins and 

 socks should fit snug, they must not 

 be tight, and your mittens large enough 

 to be drawn easily over hands already 

 encased in loose, stout gloves. Noth- 

 ing should fit tight in the Northland, 

 otherwise your chances of freezing are 

 much greater. 



The denial I practised in the matter 

 of blankets proved doubly advantage- 

 ous. It conditioned me so that very 

 soon I slept soundly and comfortably, 

 and it proved a blessing to John, to 

 whom I gave of my surplus. He was 

 very glad to get the additional blanket, 

 and I never encountered an Indian 

 throughout my trip who was not thank- 

 ful for any extra covering, even a coat, 

 that I let him have. This is apro- 

 pos of the declaration made to the venturer into this 

 country that the Indians scorn more than one blanket. 

 I heard it on all sides. " What ! two pairs of blankets ? 

 Why, the Indians," etc., etc. When these Indians sleep 

 under one blanket it is because they have no second, 



A WOMAN S PORCU- 

 PINE-QUILL KELT 



