THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 85 



for nothing as a specimen. Harris, who had shot at one 

 last night in the late twihght, had killed it, but was not 

 aware of it till I found the villain this morning. It had 

 evidently been dragged at by its brothers, who, however, 

 had not torn it. Provost went over to the other fort to find 

 out where the Buffaloes are most abundant, and did not 

 return till late, so did no hunting. A young dog of this 

 country's breed ate up all the berries collected by Mrs. Cul- 

 bertson, and her lord had it killed for our supper this even- 

 ing. The poor thing was stuck with a knife in the throat, 

 after which it was placed over a hot fire outside of the fort, 

 singed, and the hair scraped off, as I myself have treated 

 Raccoons and Opossums. Then the animal was boiled, 

 and I intend to taste one mouthful of it, for I cannot say 

 that just now I should relish an entire meal from such 

 peculiar fare. There are men, however, who much prefer 

 the flesh to Buffalo meat, or even venison. An ox was 

 broken to work this day, and worked far better than I 

 expected. I finished at last Mr. Culbertson's portrait, and 

 it now hangs in a frame. He and his wife are much pleased 

 with it, and I am heartily glad they are, for in conscience I 

 am not; however, it is all I could do, especially with a man 

 who is never in the same position for one whole minute ; so 

 no more can be expected. The dog was duly cooked and 

 brought into Mr. Culbertson's room; he served it out to 

 Squires, Mr. Denig, and myself, and I was astonished when 

 I tasted it. With great care and some repugnance I put a 

 very small piece in my mouth ; but no sooner had the taste 

 touched my palate than I changed my dislike to liking, and 

 found this victim of the canine order most excellent, and 

 made a good meal, finding it fully equal to any meat I ever 

 tasted. Old Provost had told me he preferred it to any 

 meat, and his subsequent actions proved the truth of his 

 words. We are having some music this evening, and Har- 

 ris alone is absent, being at his favorite evening occupa- 

 tion, namely, shooting at Wolves from the ramparts. 



