288 THE UPPER YUKON 



when it takes its departure for parts unknown. 



We were informed that caribou which were 

 killed before the month of November would 

 be free from fly bites, and therefore the tanned 

 hides would be more attractive. 



I was the recipient at the hands of this fair 

 woman of a beautiful pair of caribou-hide 

 mittens, resplendent with beads and highly 

 colored embroidery; also of a large bow with 

 several arrows, the points of the arrows being 

 made of pure native copper. 



The husband having stepped out of the 

 cabin for a few minutes I took the opportunity 

 to compliment her upon her cooking; also 

 upon the respectful and courteous behaviour 

 of her children, and their very healthy and 

 robust appearance. As in case of illness the 

 nearest doctor would be nearly two hundred 

 miles away, and to send out a messenger and 

 bring the doctor back with him would take 

 about eighteen days if the going was good, I 

 asked the woman what she did when the chil- 

 dren got sick. 



''They never get sick," she answered. 



'What, were they never sick?" 



"No, they have never been sick." 



"What about you yourself?" 



"I have never been sick in my life." 



