IN THE OLD WEST 2^1 



lips which had not kissed pipe for many months, 

 and how the fragrant honey-dew from Old Vir- 

 ginia was relishingly puffed! 



But the Scotchman's bounty did not stop here. 

 He soon elicited from the lips of the hunters the 

 narrative of their losses and privations, and 

 learned that they now, without ammunition and 

 scarcely clothed, were on their way to Platte Fort, 

 to hire themselves to the Indian traders in order 

 to earn another outfit, wherewith once more to be- 

 take themselves to their perilous employment of 

 trapping. What was their astonishment to see 

 their entertainer presently lay out upon the 

 ground two piles of goods, each consisting of a 

 four-point Mackinaw, two tin canisters of powder, 

 with corresponding lead and flints, a pair of moc- 

 casins, a shirt, and sufficient buckskin to make a 

 pair of pantaloons ; and how much the more was 

 the wonder increased when two excellent Indian 

 horses were presently lassoed from the cavallada, 

 and with mountain saddle, bridle, and lariats com- 

 plete, together with the two piles of goods de- 

 scribed, presented to them " on the prairie " or 

 " gift-free," by the kind-hearted stranger, who 

 would not even listen to thanks for the most timely 

 and invaluable present. 



Once more equipped, our two hunters, filled 

 with good brandy and fat buffalo meat, again 

 wended on their way ; their late entertainers con- 

 tinuing their pleasure-trip across the gap of the 



