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noticed quite a number passing their pans, well filled "with mush, to their 

 squaws who were standing about the door, which indicated generous and 

 kind feeling. This was not an act of impoliteness, but just the reverse 

 according to Indian etiquette, for with them it is very impolite not to 

 eat all that is given at a feast — you must eat or carry away. Soon 

 after, the parties dispersed and went to their lodges, to feast again most 

 probably. 



On asking at what age young men were allowed to attend these feasts, I 

 was told that they went to those given by whites at all ages, but that they 

 must gain admittance to the feasts among themselves in one of three ways — 

 by stealing a great many horses, by giving a great deal to the poor, or by 

 bringing in the scalps of a great many warriors. The men who appeared 

 so peaceable this afternoon were all ready to kill their fellows, on any 

 jirovocation, and, doubtless, every man of them had killed more than one. 

 They are regarded at the fort as the worst of all the tribes, and are blamed 

 for killing cattle every time they come. They have traded a large number 

 of robes this afternoon, and nearly all for eatables, as they were starving ; 

 they want to trade for meat, but Alexander will not do this, on any consid- 

 eration, for fear of starving himself. 



Oh ! for the jaw bone of an ass to murder these miserable Indian dogs ; 

 just now, as at every few minutes during the day and night they are howl- 

 ing like a set of fiends ; they have not a decent bark like our well-bred 

 American dogs, but it is howl I howl!! howl!!! everlastingly — but after 

 all it is their nature, for they are more wolf than dog. 



Recipe for making dried Plums. — It is late, but I must note .a new 

 way, or rather the Indian way of drying plums, for the benefit of our 

 economical housewives. When a lady wishes to preserve her plums, 

 which grow here abundantly, she gathers them, invites her neighbors, and 

 they spend the afternoon sociably in sucking out the plum stones, saving the 

 skins, which are carefully put away and dried, and when cooked with the 

 scrapings of a buffalo skin, are esteemed a most rare dish. This is worthy 

 a place amongst " Miss Leslie's Thousand and one Receipts." 



Friday, May "31. — This morning was spent in hunting antelope with 

 M'Kenzie ; we rode about ten miles over the hills bordering the Missouri, 

 but did not get any game. The few antelopes that we saw were very wdld, 

 and although M'Kenzie shot twice, the animals were too far off. A wolf 

 was seen scampering along, but at such a distance that we could get no 

 chance I'or a shot. It appears as if I were to get no game at all here ; the 

 best marksmen about the fort have tried to get wolves, antelope and prairie 

 dogs, but thus far without success. I have tried to get rabbits, and have 

 engaged several young Indians to bring me some, but none have yet come. 

 About two o'clock this afternoon, Gilpin, Alexander and myself w^ent to a 

 feast in the village, given by one of the tribe which ariived yesterday. On 

 entering the lodge, we found but few assembled. Opposite the door or place 

 of entrance, through which we passed by stooping and dragging ourselves 

 in, was placed a good robe for our seat, and in honor of the occasion, a 

 small square box containing a flag. In a short time the whole company 

 had assembled, consisting of perhaps twenty persons. An old man, who 

 came in last, returned thanks to the host for his hospitality, and then each 

 of the company folio weil in turn, all using the same form except the title by 

 which they acklressed him : thus — " brother-in-law, I thank you for the 

 feast," — " cousin, I thank you, &c." — " uncle, I thank you, ,(Scc." Then 



