TO THE TIMBER'S EDGE 171 



If there is one thing these Indians know how to do it 

 is to build a roaring fire where wood is plentiful ; first of 

 all, pine brush is cut down and laid about three feet high 

 in a semicircle, on top of which the sledges are lifted to 

 keep them from the voracious dogs. The opening of the 

 semicircle is piled high with wood, and when lighted 

 throws out warmth enough to keep you comfortable so 

 long as it lasts, even with the mercury at its lowest. 



About noon the next day we left the lake, striking 

 north, and for three days, starting at six and going until 

 eight and nine at night, we travelled across a rough coun- 

 try, broken up by ridges and filled with lakes most of 

 the ridges bare of all timber, and what trees there were, 

 very insignificant. All this time I had been running and 

 the Indians riding, and I was well pleased when on the 

 night of the third day we reached Beniah's camp, which 

 proved to be quite the biggest settlement I had seen, for 

 these Indians roam about in small parties of one or two 

 lodges. Only a few consequential leaders like Beniah 

 have a fixed habitation, and then it is only used in sum- 

 mer, when the fishing is going forward. 



Here, while Beniah was explaining my mission and 

 making up his party, I put in three very uncomfortable 

 days. To say that I was an object of curiosity would be 

 putting it mildly ; I was indeed a stranger in a strange 

 land. The men examined over and again every article 

 I possessed ; the women stared me out of countenance ; 

 the mothers used me as a bugaboo to hush their crying 

 babies ; and the dogs crowded about me so threateningly 

 that I never ventured outside the lodge without my whip. 

 I was the first white man they had seen, and one and all 

 made the most of their opportunity. I was on exhibition 

 with a vengeance, only, unlike other freaks, I had no 

 hours ; the show opened when I arose in the morning, 



