STEEP TRAILS 



in baskets slung on their backs, or balanced 

 upon the saddle-bow, while the nut-baskets 

 and water- jars project from either side, and 

 the long beating-poles, like old-fashioned 

 lances, angle out in every direction. 



Arrived at some central point already fixed 

 upon, where water and grass is found, the 

 squaws with baskets, the men with poles, 

 ascend the ridges to the laden trees, followed 

 by the children; beating begins with loud noise 

 and chatter; the burs fly right and left, lodg- 

 ing against stones and sagebrush; the squaws 

 and children gather them with fine natural 

 gladness; smoke-columns speedily mark the 

 joyful scene of their labors as the roasting-fires 

 are kindled ; and, at night, assembled in circles, 

 garrulous as jays, the first grand nut feast 

 begins. Sufficient quantities are thus obtained 

 in a few weeks to last all winter. 



The Indians also gather several species of 

 berries and dry them to vary their stores, and 

 a few deer and grouse are killed on the moun- 

 tains, besides immense numbers of rabbits and 

 hares; but the pine-nuts are their main de- 

 pendence — their staff of Ufe, their bread. 



Insects also, scarce noticed by man, come 

 in for their share of this fine boimty. Eggs 

 are deposited, and the baby grubs, happy fel- 

 lows, find themselves in a sweet world of 



172 



