TEANSPORTATION BY LAND. 



309 



bar to the last one on the heel of the sled is run a stout twisted thoug 

 under the end of each bar, which tliere has a notch cut on the under 

 side for the line to pass through. This line serves to strengthen the 

 sides and prevent the two boards from slipping past each other when 

 passing over inequalities of tlie ground. At the ends of the first bar 

 and connected with the side lines are two long stout thougs of twisted 

 skin, often 25 feet long. These are used as traces, by which the sled is 

 dragged. The shape of the bottom is often fashioned after all the re- 

 mainder of the work has been done. The width of the nose is rarely- 

 more than 9 inches; at the first bar it is about 14 inches and as much 

 as 18 inches between the first and second bars. From the widest part 

 to the heel it gradually narrows to a width of 5 to 7 inches. 



Two boards are used, as one of sufficient width could not be obtained 

 from the forests of that region. Besides, a single board would certainly 

 split, while two obviate this 

 danger and render the sled less 

 stiff. In passing over rough 

 places the sled must bend to 

 conform to inequalities or else 

 it would break. In the con- 

 struction of this vehicle the In- 

 dian displays much skill and a 

 perfect knowledge of the re- 

 quirements of the case. The 

 load is placed so as to dispose 

 the weight on that portion which 

 will bear chiefly on the ground. 

 The great length of the sled en- 

 ables the person to guide it 

 more readily. 



When on a journey theyounger 

 women and the men drag it 

 along. When the men return 

 to the station to trade they 

 alone drag it. A small dog is 



Fig. 129 — Nenenot snowshoe, single bar. 



sometimes hitched to it by a thong, but as the auiuial is so small and 

 light, it affords but little assistance. The animal, however, would cer- 

 tainly wander oft' in search of game along the track, and by being' 

 hitched to the sled is kept within bounds. 



All the household effects, consisting of tent, cooking utensils, cloth- 

 ing, and other articles are placed on the sled when tlie people are 

 changing camp. 



The Nenenot are skilled in the manufactui'e and use of snowshoes, 

 of which four styles are used, viz: The "swallow-tail," "beaver- tail," 

 "round-end," and "single-bar" (Figs. 128, 129). The frame is of wood, 

 nearly au inch wide and half an inch thick, usually in two pieces, joined 



