One might imagine that with such a great variety of occupations we would soon become rich — especially as we raised much of our own food and seldom had any rent to pay — but this was not the case. I do not know how much my father charged for his treatment of sick people, but his prices were probably moderate, and as to our trade in baskets, furs and bead work, we were not any better business people than Indians generally.
Nevertheless, it was a happy life that we led, and lack of money troubled us little. We were healthy and our wants were few.
Father did not always take his family with him on his expeditions, and as I grew older I passed a good deal of time on the reservation. Here, tho the people farmed and dressed somewhat after the fashion of the white man, they still kept up their ancient tribal ceremonies, laws and customs, and preserved their language. The general government was in the hands of twelve chiefs, elected for life on account of supposed merit and ability.
