e hickory bows
came from the East, of course, and through trading, reached the plains
country. I have also seen bows covered with the skins of the
bull-snake, or wound with sinew, and bows have been made from the horns
of the elk, in the early days, after a long course of preparation.

Before Lewis and Clark crossed this vast country, the Blackfeet had
traded with the Hudson Bay Company, and steel knives and lance-heads,
bearing the names of English makers, still remain to testify to the
relations existing, in those days, between those famous traders and men
of the Piegan, Blood, and Blackfoot tribes, although it took many years
for traders on our own side of the line to gain their friendship.
Indeed, trappers and traders blamed the Hudson Bay Company for the
feeling of hatred held by the three tribes of Blackfeet for the
"Americans"; and there is no doubt that they were right to some extent,
although the killing of the Blackfoot warrior by Captain Lewis in 1805
may have been largely to blame for the trouble. Certain it is that for
many years after the killing, the Blackfeet kept traders and trappers
on the dodge unless they were Hudson Bay men, and in 1810 drove the
"American" trappers and traders from their fort at Three-Forks.

It was early when we gathered in War Eagle's lodge, the children and I,
but the story-telling began at once.

"Now I shall tell you a story that will show you how little OLD-man
cared for the welfare of others," said War Eagle.

"It happened in the fall, this thing I shall tell you, and the day was
warm and bright. OLD-man and his brother the Red Fox were travelling
together for company. They were on a hillside when OLD-Man said: 'I am
hungry. Can you not kill a Rabbit or something for us to eat? The
way is long, and I am getting old, you know. You are swift of foot and
cunning, and there are Rabbits among these rocks.'

"'Ever since morning came I have watched for food, but the moon must be
wrong or something, for I see nothing that is good to eat,' replied the
Fox. 'Besides that, my medicine is bad and my heart is weak. You are
great, and I have heard you can do most anything. Many snows have
known your footprints, and the snows make us all wise. I think you are
the one to help, not I.'

"'Listen, brother,' said OLD-man, 'I have neither bow nor
lance--nothing to use in hunting. Your weapons are ever with you--your
great nose and your sharp teeth. Just as we came up this h