LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 69 



ing pack-saddles, apishamores* and lariats, and the 

 next day, with Luke, " put out" for Platte. 



As they passed through the rendezvous, which was 

 encamped on a little stream beyond the town, even our 

 young Mississippian was struck with the novelty of the 

 scene. Upwards of forty huge waggons, of Conostoga 

 and Pittsburg build, and covered with snow-white tilts, 

 were ranged in a semicircle, or rather a horse-shoe form, 

 on the flat open prairie, their long " tongues" (poles) 

 pointing outwards ; with the necessary harness for four 

 pairs of mules, or eight yoke of oxen, lying on the ground 

 beside them, spread in ready order for " hitching up." 

 Round the waggons groups of teamsters, tall stalwart 

 young Missourians, were engaged in busy preparation 

 for the start, greasing the wheels, fitting or repairing 

 harness, smoothing ox-bows, or overhauling their own 

 moderate kits or " possibles." They were all dressed in 

 the same fashion : a pair of " homespun" pantaloons, 

 tucked into thick boots reaching nearly to the knee, 

 and confined round the waist by a broad leathern belt, 

 which supported a strong butcher-knife in a sheath. 

 A coarse checked shirt was their only other covering, 

 with a fur cap on the head. 



Numerous camp-fires surrounded the waggons, and 

 near them lounged wild-looking mountaineers, easily 

 distinguished from the " greenhorn " teamsters by their 

 dresses of buckskin, and their weather-beaten faces. 

 Without an exception, these were under the influence 

 of the rosy god; and one, who sat, the picture of 

 * Saddle-blanket made of buffalo-calf skin. 



