Pack-thread, needles and _very l-o-n-g_ stitches were used, but
the work went slowly on. All the spare time of one day was given to
patching. Sam, of course, kept up a patter of characteristic remarks
to the piece he was sewing. Yan sewed in serious silence. At first
Sam's were put on better, but Yan learned fast and at length did by
far the better sewing.

[Illustration: Decoration of Black Bull's Teepee: (Two Examples of
Doors)]

[Illustration: THUNDER BULL'S TEEPEE]


Notes on Making Teepee:

The slimmer the poles are at the top where they cross the smaller
the opening in the canvas and the less danger of rain coming in.

In regions where there is much rain it is well to cut the projecting
poles very short and put over them a "storm cap," "bull boat" or
"shield" made of canvas on a rod bent in a three-foot circle. This
device was used by the Mandans over the smoke-hole of their lodges
during the heavy rains.

That night the boys were showing their handiwork to the hired hands.
Si Lee, a middle-aged man with a vast waistband, after looking on
with ill-concealed but good-natured scorn, said:

"Why didn't ye put the patches inside?"