A HUNTER'S CAMP-FIRES 



pany's post and a rival trading establishment, are dependent 

 on the Indians during the winter for communication with the 

 outside world and for the supply of game. As a result the 

 Indians realize their own importance, and while not generally 

 lazy, are very independent and impudent when they are most 

 needed. However, the trading establishments mentioned get 

 back at them by charging them very high prices for any of the 

 necessities or luxuries of life bought at their stores. The second 

 Indian, whose name was Ludecker, was one of the best packers 

 in the country, and these two men, combined with six fair horses, 

 a cook, and two sportsmen willing to work, made an efficient 

 outfit. 



Another member of the outfit who certainly should be men- 

 tioned was Telecum (Chinook word for friend) , a large, faithful, 

 black-and-white dog belonging to Ludecker. He was the best 

 camp-dog I have ever seen. Telecum not only never touched 

 food lying or thrown about camp without having it passed to 

 him by hand, but was always cheerful and affectionate, never 

 made unnecessary noises, faithfully guarded provisions from 

 .marauding Indian dogs, and was instrumental in treeing a black 

 bear for us later on the trip. 



Our horses carried no more than the bare necessities for a 

 month's trip: a tent for the cook and the Indians, and a smaller 

 one for ourselves; bedding, cooking utensils, axes, and a store 

 of provisions, consisting mainly of bacon, flour, beans, oatmeal, 

 salt, sugar, and dried fruit. Howe carried a 9mm. Mannlicher, 

 the cook a .22 Winchester for birds, and I brought a .30-. 40 

 Winchester carbine. We had a .405 Winchester as an emer- 

 gency rifle, in case of accident or loss of either of our guns during 

 the trip. 



About noon of August i8th we ferried our packs and swam 

 our horses across the swift current to the south bank of the 

 Stikine, packed the outfit on the first poplar-bench, and made 

 about six miles over a good trail, camping at dark near a small 



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