I'm beginning to recognize that I'm not as modern as I thought.

But have you ever been frankly afraid of the wilds ?" "Often.

When you meet the snow on the frozen trail, a hundred miles from shelter, mind and body shrink.

Perhaps it's worse when all that stands for warmth and life is loaded on the hand-sledge you haul across the rotten ice.

Then it's significant that the _Metis_ are sometimes more afraid than white men.