about nearly naked. In winter they clothed themselves

in the skins of rabbits and wolves. Being excellent

mimics, they could imitate the howling of

wolves, the neighing of horses, and the cries of birds, by

which means they could approach travellers, rob them,

and then fly to their rocky fastnesses in the mountains,

where pursuit was vain.

Such were the men who now assembled in front of

the camp of the fur-traders, and Cameron soon found

that the news of his presence in the country had spread