They had watched the squaws making baskets of the inner bark of the oak, elm, and basswood, and mats of the inner bark of the cedar, with many other ingenious works that they now found would prove useful to them, after a little practice had perfected their inexperienced attempts.

They also knew how to dry venison as the Indians and trappers prepare it, by cutting the thick fleshy portions of the meat into strips, from four to six inches in breadth, and two or more in thickness.

These strips they strung upon poles supported on forked sticks, and exposed them to the drying action of the sun and wind.

Fish they split open, and removed the back and head bones, and smoked them slightly, or dried them in the sun.
Their success in killing the doe greatly raised their spirits; in their joy they embraced each other, and bestowed the most affectionate caresses on Wolfe for his good conduct.
"But for this dear, wise old fellow, we should have had no venison for dinner to-day," said Louis; "and so, Wolfe, you shall have a choice piece for your own share." Every part of the deer seemed valuable in the eyes of the young hunters; the skin they carefully stretched out upon sticks to dry gradually, and the entrails they also preserved for bow-strings.

The sinews of the legs and back, they drew out, and laid carefully aside for future use.
"We shall be glad enough of these strings by-and-by," said careful Hector; "for the summer will soon be at an end, and then we must turn our attention to making ourselves winter clothes and mocassins." "Yes, Hec., and a good warm shanty; these huts of bark and boughs will not do when once the cold weather sets in." "A shanty would soon be put up," said Hector; "for even Kate, wee bit lassie as she is, could give us some help in trimming up the logs.
"That I could, indeed," replied Catherine; "for you may remember, Hec., that the last journey my father made to the Bay, _[FN: Bay of Quints.]_ with the pack of furs, that you and I called a _Bee_ _[FN: A Bee is a practical instance of duty to a neighbour.