222 THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
Mr. Dutton and Peeschee, lying on their faces, and 
peering through the thick boughs of a spruce, could 
easily see all this without being seen. 
The squaws now set up an excited jabbering, pointing 
at the two whites before them, and discussing some point 
with the utmost vehemence. 
Peeschee made out, after a while, that they were in- 
di:fferent what became of poor Hugh, but that they 
wanted Solomon for a husband, several of the ugliest of 
the lot claiming him, each to the exclusion of the rest. 
Perhaps it was fortunate that the long-limbed hunter 
could not understand what they were up to, or he might 
have expressed himself vigorously as to a matrimonial 
alliance wdth any of the fair "Brown Bears" before 
him. 
" Where do you suppose the men are ? " whispered Mr. 
Dutton to his companion. 
" Men gone 'way off to fish. All come back in winter. 
Live in wigwam now." 
''Well, the women won't hurt their prisoners, wdll 
they ? " 
" Squaws much bad," replied the Fox, sententiously. 
a Worse than men." 
Whatever plan might have been matured for a rescue 
was now frustrated by a move on Carlo's part. The faith- 
ful Newfoundland was as much interested in the scene as 
anybody ; and when Mr. Dutton unconsciously loosened 
his grip on his collar, the dog freed himself by a sudden 
