298 MULE-HUNTING EXPEDITION. 
companion at three o’clock in the morning. The 
silver stream of light from the unclouded moon 
illumines the trail we follow as brightly as sun- 
shine. The mules are to follow. As day dawns 
an open plain is seen, spreading far away right and 
left, and along it a horseman gallops towards us. 
Ashe nears I make him out to be an Indian on 
a skewballed horse. We stop and parley, and I 
find he is a Snake scout; both horse and rider 
are splendid specimens of their kind. A circle of 
eacle’s feathers fastened to the skin of the ermine 
surrounds his head, and long raven black hair 
covers his neck: a scarlet blanket, elaborately 
beaded, hangs from his shoulders; a broad 
wampum-belt contains his knife and powder- 
horn, and in his right hand he bears a rifle. 
But very little paint daubs his shining-red skin, 
through which every muscle stands out as if cast 
in bronze; he is a handsome savage, if there ever 
was one. As we ride in opposite directions, I can- 
not help thinking that men and mules will stand 
but little chance if all the Snakes are like to this 
sable warrior. Reachedacabin at the Tye creek 
after doing forty-five miles, where we remained 
for the night. 
May 31st.—Ride in amidst the tents of the 
Commission, anxiously awaiting my arrival. The 
