108 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



foxes, &c., from intruding, and to cook the meat for 

 dinner. Sometimes we went singly on this duty, some- 

 times divided into two parties : especially when we dis- 

 covered by their tracks that bears were numerous in this 

 place. After the departure of Chuckochilgegan ("Cunning 

 polecat, or marten ") and his companions, Tom and I 

 invariably went into the woods in company, leaving Achil 

 to cook ; for at that business he was an adept. Some- 

 times it took us many hours to visit the traps ; but if 

 few animals were caught, and the victims had not to be 

 killed and skinned, we soon got through with this work, 

 and I spent the remainder of the day in either shooting 

 or watching the habits of the animals in the forest. We 

 ate but two " square " meals per day, but the quantity 

 of meat consumed at these two meals would have 

 astounded an easy-working, idle cit. I usually ate a 

 few mouthfuls of food while wandering in the woods ; 

 but ultimately I got into the habit of being satisfied with 

 two full meals per day. We all, however, would eat any 

 of the wild fruits that we might meet with when wander- 

 ing about, and I dare say the quantity thus consumed 

 was considerable. 



Of course we all got back to our camp before the 

 darkness of night set in ; and the evening meal was the 

 principal one of the day. By the blazing light of the 

 fire we followed our occupations, or lay idly about and 

 smoked. On this journey, owing to the need of travel- 

 ling as lightly as possible, I had but two books with me — 

 the Bible and my note-book. I jotted down my notes 

 for the day by firelight, and then read such portions of 

 the Bible as I thought would be most impressive to the 

 Indians. We prayed to God, and then retired to rest, 

 seldom later than seven or eight o'clock. Such was our 

 daily life. 



On subsequent occasions during my long sojourn in 

 the Americas, I always carried as many books as I could 

 find room for. I cannot be happy without books, and I 



