iderable pride.

"You've a good place to camp," said Mr. Strong, "and we will gladly share
your fire until we are warm enough to go on."

Ted's face fell. "Must we go right away?" he asked. "This is such a
jolly place."

"No go to-day," said Kalitan, briefly, to Chetwoof. "_Colesnass_."[2]

[Footnote 2: Snow.]

"Huh!" said Chetwoof. "Think some."

"Here comes my uncle," said Kalitan, and he ran eagerly to meet an old
Indian who came toward the camp from the shore. He eagerly explained the
situation to the Tyee, who welcomed the strangers with grave politeness.
He was an old-man, with a seamed, scarred faces but kindly eyes. Chief of
the Thlinkits, his tribe was scattered, his children dead, and Kalitan
about all left to him of interest in life.

"There will be more snow," he said to Mr. Strong. "You are welcome. Stay
and share our fire and food."

"Do let us stay, father," cried Ted, and his father smiled indulgently,
but Kalitan looked at him in astonishment. Alaskan boys are taught to
hold their tongues and let their elders decide matters, and Kalitan would
never have dreamed of teasing for anything.

But Mr. Strong did not wish to face another snow-storm in the sledge, and
knew he could work but little till the storm was passed; so he readily
consented to stay a few days and let Ted see some real Alaskan hunting
and fishing.

Both boys were delighted, and soon had the camp rearranged to
accommodate the strangers. The fire was built up, Ted and Kalitan
gathering cones and fir branches, which made a fragrant blaze, while
Chetwoof cared for the dogs, and the old chief helped Mr. Strong pitch
his tent in the lee of some fragrant firs. Soon all was prepared and
supper cooking over the coals,--a supper of fresh fish and seal fat,
which Alaskans consider a great delicacy, and to which Mr. Strong added
coffee and crackers from his stores,--and Indians and whites ate
together in friendliness and amity.

CHAPTER II

AROUND THE CAMP-FIRE

"How does if happen that you speak English, Kalitan?" asked Mr. Strong as
they sat around the camp-fire that evening. The snow had continued during
the afternoon, and the boys had had an exciting time coasting and
snow-balling and enjoying themselves generally.

"I went for a few months to the Mission School at Wrangel," said Kalitan.
"I learned much there. They teach the boys to read and write and do sums
and to work the ground besides. They learn much more than the