should wear the glass of
the windows thin, looking for their coming. Mrs Ross here interposed,
and stopped Sam's voluble utterances by saying that they were all going
over a little after noon, in response to a very cordial invitation from
Mr and Mrs Hurlburt, to witness the Indian feast and dine with them in
the church. This was great news to all, and as there were only a couple
of hours for preparation there was hurrying in every direction.

"Put on your best bibs and tuckers, my hearties," said Sam to Frank and
Alec, "for this day is the event of your lives. Rig yourselves up so
gallantly and finely that the sweet, blushing lassies over beyond, will
be so struck with your noble presences that they will, for the day at
least, imagine themselves Indian maidens enough to at least comply with
the customs of the day." But ere Sam had finished his long harangue,
the blushing Frank and Alec were hunting up their best apparel and
selecting the warmest robes for their dog-sleds.

While all are getting ready at Sagasta-weekee let us take a look at the
feast, or rather first at the preparations necessary in such a land to
feed ten or twelve hundred hungry Indians. About two months before the
time a great council is held. The missionary is invariably asked to be
the chairman, and a clever writer of the Indian syllabics is appointed
secretary. Then, as a matter of form, it is moved by the chief and
seconded by some other Indian of influence, "That we have the usual
feast on Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou day." This is, of course, carried amid
Indian applause. Then the question next asked is:

"How much will each supply to make it a grand success?" Thus there is
started a spirit of emulation that would astonish some white folks.

Big Tom says: "I saw the tracks of a moose. I will give half of him,
when I shoot him," he adds, while the quiet laugh goes round.

Mustagan says: "I saw the steam curl up from a bear's den. I will give
the largest bear, when I get him."

Soquatum says: "I have just heard of the coming of the reindeer. I will
give one."

Thus it goes on as rapidly as the secretary can write their names and
promises. Those hunters famous for killing the game that is good for
food, promise, as these already referred to have done, all kinds of
animals, from a moose to wild cats and beavers. Those hunters whose
skill is in killing the rich fur-bearing animals promise to exchange
portions of the valuable products of