Notes on Memories of a Bear Hunter 



They followed the buffalo wherever they were, and 

 with them took their whole families and all their 

 worldly possessions, transported in the famous Red 

 River carts. Usually they made their start about the 

 1 5th of June, a part going from the Red River settle- 

 ment and another part from the White Horse Plain 

 on the Assiniboine. Once these bands traveled to- 

 gether, but differences sprang up among them, and 

 between 1850 and 1857 they hunted apart. 



Sometimes the halfbreeds were absolutely improvi- 

 dent and thoughtless of the future. Often they made 

 surrounds and killed buffalo purely for the love of 

 killing, taking nothing but the skins and tongues, 

 and not recognizing that this great destruction of the 

 buffalo must sooner or later react upon themselves. 



While often they rioted in plenty, having more food 

 than it was possible to consume, at other times they 

 suffered from hunger. If buffalo could not be found, 

 provisions became scarce; children cried with hunger 

 and all complained of the lack of food. It was a 

 feast or a famine. 



Sometimes, too, they lost their animals. The horses 

 strayed away or the oxen that belonged in the camp 

 took the back trail and had to be searched for at great 

 loss of time. 



On the other hand, when hunting, their industry 

 was very great. They had a splendid organization; 

 they were at peace with all the Indians of the plains, 

 who in early days neither wished nor dared to attack 

 them. The approach of a hostile party to the half- 

 breed camp meant merely the withdrawal of the half- 

 breeds within the circle of their lodges, and the turn- 



257 



