gathering of the scant crops from the
rich soil. The Blackfeet lived too far to the eastward to take any part
in the salmon fishing which gave employment to so many of their race on
the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The warriors were finely
formed, and were held in no little respect and fear by the neighboring
red men, most of whom at some time or other had felt the weight of
their prowess.

The home for the expected visitors was erected at the extreme northern
end of the village, and was separated by fully fifty yards from the
next neighbor to the south. About a dozen saplings were planted in the
ground so as to form a circle, perhaps fifteen feet in diameter and a
little less in height. The tops were tied together, but loosely enough
to leave an opening a foot or more across to serve as a chimney. Over
the framework thus formed were stretched with no little skill a number
of bison furs, with the furry side in. They were stitched together by
means of deer sinews and pegged at the bottom, so as to shut out all
draught. Thus all the interior walls were brown and shaggy and warm. On
the outside of numerous tepees, cured and whitened by the storms, many
of the aboriginal artists of the tribe had sketched grotesque figures
of men, horses and wild animals.

You will note that the temporary home of our friends was of the most
primitive character, and yet all had seen such before and Deerfoot had
spent many a day and night in similar ones in the East. At one side a
loose bison robe could be lifted, thus serving as a door. When the
weather was warm this fold was often fastened back to permit a partial
ventilation of the lodge.

In the middle of the space the fire was kindled, the smoke finding
escape through the opening in the saplings at the crown of the
structure. Despite the care with which the robes were joined together,
enough air stole through the crevices to give the necessary draught for
the chimney and furnish the occupants comparatively pure sustenance for
their lungs.

The bare ground was the only floor to these rude structures, but the
blankets and furs served as so many rugs, and the dwellings, with the
crackling fire in the center, could be made comfortable even in the
depth of the rigorous winters.

At that early day, more firearms than would be supposed were found
among the Indian tribes of the Northwest, though naturally the
old-fashioned bow and arrow were the main weapon. The flintlocks were
g