From My Outlook On The Defot Ridge I
Saw Thousands Of Square Miles Of This Prairie-Like Region Drained By
Tributaries Of The Stickeen, Taku, Yukon, And Mackenzie Rivers.
Le Claire told me that the caribou, or reindeer, were very abundant
on this high ground.
A flock of fifty or more was seen a short time
before at the head of Defot Creek, - fine, hardy, able animals like
their near relatives the reindeer of the Arctic tundras. The Indians
hereabouts, he said, hunted them with dogs, mostly in the fall and
winter. On my return trip I met several bands of these Indians on the
march, going north to hunt. Some of the men and women were carrying
puppies on top of their heavy loads of dried salmon, while the grown
dogs had saddle-bags filled with odds and ends strapped on their
backs. Small puppies, unable to carry more than five or six pounds,
were thus made useful. I overtook another band going south, heavy
laden with furs and skins to trade. An old woman, with short dress
and leggings, was carrying a big load of furs and skins, on top of
which was perched a little girl about three years old.
A brown, speckled marmot, one of Le Claire's friends, was getting
ready for winter. The entrance to his burrow was a little to one side
of the cabin door. A well-worn trail led to it through the grass and
another to that of his companion, fifty feet away.
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