llness at the waist, instead of being cut
away, was merely puckered into place, and beneath the lower hem of the
skirt showed a pair of beaded leggings and a pair of silk-worked
moccasins.

All the Indians shook hands with us, for in the Canadian Government's
treaty with them it is stipulated that: "We expect you to be good
friends with everyone, and shake hands with all whom you meet." And I
might further add that the Indian--when one meets him in the winter
bush--is more polite than the average white man, for he always removes
his mitten, and offers one his bare hand. Further, if his hand happens
to be dirty, he will spit on it and rub it on his leggings to try and
cleanse it before presenting it to you. But when he did that, I could
never decide which was the more acceptable condition--before or after.

When the Factor entered, he was greeted with a perfect gale of
merriment, as it was the ancient custom of the Great Company that he
should kiss every woman and girl at the New Year's feast. After that
historical ceremony was over--in which Free Trader Spear also had to do
his duty--and the laughter had subsided, the principal guests were
seated at the Factor's table, the company consisting of the three
clergymen, the Spears, myself, the two North-West Mounted
Policemen--who had just arrived from the south--and a few native
headmen, including my friend Oo-koo-hoo. Though the feast was served
in relays, some of the guests who were too hungry to await their turn
were served as they sat about the floor. The dishes included the
choice of moose, caribou, bear, lynx, beaver, or muskrat.

Then a couple of picturesque, shock-haired French Canadians got up on a
big box that rested upon a table, and tuning up their fiddles, the
dance was soon in full swing. In rapid succession the music changed
from the Double Jig to the Reel of Four, the Duck Dance, the Double
Reel of Four, the Reel of Eight, and the Red River Jig, till the old
log storehouse shook from its foundation right up to its very rafters.
The breathless, perspiring, but happy couples kept at it until
exhaustion fairly overtook them, and then dropping out now and then,
they sat on the floor around the walls till they had rested; and then,
with all their might and main, they went at it again. Among other
things I noticed that the natives who were smoking were so considerate
of their hosts' feelings that they never for a moment forgot themselves
enough to soil