262 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



which to pass the inclement winter. These were built 

 of rough logs of cottonwood, laid one above the other, 

 the interstices filled with mud, and rendered impervious 

 to wind or wet. At one end of the row of shanties was 

 built the " church" or temple a long building of huge 

 logs, in which the prayer-meetings and holdings-forth 

 took place. The band wintering on the Arkansa were 

 a far better class than the generality of Mormons, and 

 comprised many wealthy and respectable farmers from 

 the western states, most of whom were accustomed to 

 the life of woodmen, and were good hunters. Thus 

 they were enabled to support their families upon the 

 produce of their rifles, frequently sallying out to the 

 nearest point of the mountains with a waggon, which 

 they would bring back loaded with buffalo, deer, and 

 elk meat, thereby saving the necessity of killing any of 

 their stock of cattle, of which but few remained. 



The mountain hunters found this camp a profitable 

 market for their meat and deer-skins, with which the 

 Mormons were now compelled to clothe themselves, and 

 resorted there for that purpose to say nothing of the 

 attraction of the many really beautiful Missourian girls 

 who sported their tall graceful figures at the frequent 

 fandangos. Dancing and preaching go hand in hand 

 in Mormon doctrine, and the " temple " was generally 

 cleared for a hop two or three times during the week, 

 a couple of fiddles doing the duty of orchestra. A 

 party of mountaineers came in one day, bringing some 

 buffalo meat and dressed deer-skins, and were invited 

 to be present at one of these festivals. 



