CHAPTER XVIII.

Decline of the Fur Trade--Wild Scenes at Rendezvous--A Missionary Party--Entertained by a War Dance--Meek in Armor--Deserted by his Indian Spouse--The Pursuit--Meek abuses a Missionary and Kidnaps his Wife--Meek's Black Eyed Daughter--Singing for a Biscuit--Trapping Again--A hot March, and Fearful Suffering from Thirst--The Old Flathead Woman--Water at Last, 237