EVENING IN THE CAMP. 357 



there exists a custom, not without its good side for those 

 who have a sharp appetite. 



To the hunter sufficiently fortunate to kill a large 

 animal belong his haunch and pasterns ; the remainder 

 is equally divided among his less successful comrades. 

 This rule is without exception, and it is very just ; for 

 with the egotistical spirit which animates the Indians, if 

 a few monopolized to themselves the whole of their spoil, 

 the greater number would perish from starvation. The 

 moment a stag, an antelope, or a bison is brought to the 

 ground, he who kills it lies down in calm indifference, 

 kindles his pipe, and patiently waits until his comrades 

 have completed the cutting up, and selected his portion, 

 which he accepts without a word. 



I returned to the camp sorely disappointed ; and I 

 confess, the only thing that mitigated my vexation was 

 the fact that my companions, Messrs. Sears and Del mot, 

 had not been more fortunate than myself. 



In the evening, as the reader will suppose, the Indians 

 assembled in great numbers round the blazing camp-fire : 

 each related his adventures during the day; and the 

 horrible rascal who had played me so knavish a trick did 

 not lose the opportunity of trumpeting forth his skill 

 among his admiring companions. He even thought him- 

 self authorized to excite a laugh at my expense; but 

 through my glasses I looked at him in so irate a manner 

 that he stopped, and changed the subject of his pleasan- 

 tries, affording me, a Pale-face, the satisfaction of having 

 made a Sioux trapper turn red at his conduct. 



The following morning, after a peaceful night whose 

 calm was only interrupted by the howling of the camp 

 dogs, who, with one consent, regaled us with the most 



