IN THE LAND OF LITTLE STICKS 



191 



in provisions ; and recklessness of provisions was just as 

 apt as not to end in our starvation, or, what concerned 

 me more, failure of my trip. I had fetched the pemmi- 

 can to have at a time and cache at a place when, as near 

 as I could estimate, we should be in direst need. To eat 

 it now, with the journey barely begun, was to rob us of 

 our last resource. I felt if I could go without meat for 

 two days and resist the temptation of eating, they, whose 

 very existence is divided into alternate periods of feasting 

 and fasting, could also, and must, if my determination was 

 to carry weight. 



I was not a little exasperated, too, that the Indians 

 should treat my wishes with contempt, 

 and so when Seeyah renewed his explora- 

 tions for pemmican I confess I was in fit 

 humor to leave no doubt in their minds 

 as to whom the disposition of that pem- 

 mican actually belonged. Jumping to 

 my feet, I grabbed the Indian by the 

 shoulder and jerked him away from 

 my sledge. Instantly all the Indians 

 were on their feet, jabbering and ges- 

 ticulating at a great rate ; and while 

 the storm of their displeasure raged, I 

 backed up against my sledge and await- 

 ed its abatement, shouting " Ilia!" every 

 now and again, and keeping a sharp 

 lookout for any sudden movement on 

 their part. As in my mind's eye I now see those Indians 

 grouped about the teakettle, all talking at once, and cast- 

 ing lowering looks at me, back against my sledge, shout- 

 ing " Ilia!" whenever I thought they could hear me above 

 their own din, the situation seems mirth provoking. But 

 the humor of it did not appeal to me so much at that time. 



INDIAN LEGGING 



