28 THE LIFE or

but now, the occupation has no charms for me. I will now take the goose quil, for my bow, and its point for my arrow. If perchance I may yet speak, when my poor aching head lies low in the grave; when the hand that wrote these recollections shall have crumbled into dust; then these pages will not have been written in vain.

“O! Land of rest for thee I sigh— VVhen will the season come, When I shall lay my armor by,

And dwell in peace at home.”

The beaver was hunted in the spring and fall. They were either trapped or shot. Among all the animals that live in the water, the beaver is of the kindest dis- position, when tamed; it is a very cleanly animal ; sits on its broad tail on the ground while feeding ; feeds all night, and sleeps most of the day. The beaver skin was once worth from eight to ten dollars apiece, or four dollars per pound.

The otter, too, is much valued. The whites buy the skins, and make caps of them. They are mostly caught in traps. In the fall and spring they are always on the move.

The otter is a greedy animal; it can be tamed, but when hungry becomes cross, and often bites. If it be a half a mile off, it will scent any food preparing in the wigwam.

VVhen about five years old, I commenced shooting birds, with a small bow and arrow. I have shot many a bird, but am no more a marksman. I used to feel

proud when I used to carry home my own game. The