282 THE UPPER YUKON 



tie hamlet lying close to the sandy margin 

 of this lake. We were conducted into the 

 cabin of our head guide, whom we called the 

 Chief. The floor was covered with bear, 

 caribou, moose, fox, and wolverine skins, and 

 on these we laid our sleeping bags and soon 

 were in the land of Nod. 



In the morning the writer was awakened by 

 the sweet and melodious voice of a woman 

 who was talking to Gene, our cook. Hastily 

 dressing, I looked into the kitchen and saw 

 the "lady fair" just leaving for her own dom- 

 icile, which was across the trail from ours. 

 She had brought a basket of fresh vegetables 

 out of her own garden for our delectation and 

 nourishment. There were radishes, lettuce, 

 carrots, turnips, etc. We heartily enjoyed 

 them. Our cook told us her name, and also 

 some of her life history. 



He said she certainly would not take any 

 pay for what she had brought us, because that 

 was only one of the many ways that she had 

 with which she rejoiced the hearts of all who 

 met her. However, I called upon her, and 

 happily having some little household neces- 

 saries with me which could be spared from 

 our outfit, I prevailed upon her to take them, 

 and then she asked me to sit down and tell her 



