260 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
always supposed it was only a hunter's yarn. I don't 
know why there may not be a few of those big fellows 
left, though ! " 
The idea of having these gigantic neighbors was not a 
pleasant one, and the women were glad when Peeschee 
was allowed to resume his narrative. 
Shortly after running away from the Mammoth, he 
said, he sprained his ankle on a snow-covered root, and 
felt that he could go no further. Making one final effort, 
and limping painfully along, he was preparing to lie down 
and die when he saw smoke arising through the tree-tops. 
Pressing on once more, he came upon a small collection 
of wigwams, containing two or three dozen natives. 
They proved to be Ungaliks, a little known tribe of the 
interior, with whom he could only converse with signs. 
The Indians were hospitable and kind to him ; had shel- 
tered, fed, and nursed him, as the Ayans had his father 
in years gone by ; and at the end of three weeks he had 
been able to continue his journey, with a pouch full of 
dried meat and salmon. After a hard journey of six 
days' duration, he had arrived home. 
" Home ! " It was a strange word to apply to these 
two lonely little huts in the midst of a wilderness of 
forest and ice ; but the Buttons felt more thankful than 
ever for their cosey shelter, as they heard Peeschee' s 
story. 
