274 IN THE OLD WEST 



left behind, and afford them a good supply of 

 meat. In the month of December the mountain- 

 eers crossed the great dividing ridge of the Rocky 

 Mountains, making their way through the snowy 

 barrier with the utmost difficulty, and losing many 

 mules and horses in the attempt. On passing the 

 ridge, they at once struck the head-springs of the 

 Arkansa river, and turned into the Bayou Salade. 

 Here they found a village of Arapahos, and were 

 in no little fear of leaving their cavallada with 

 these dexterous horse-thieves. Fortunately the 

 chief in command was friendly to the whites, and 

 restrained his young men ; and a present of three 

 horses insured his good offices. Still, the near 

 neighborhood of these Indians being hardly desir- 

 able, after a few days' halt the Americans were 

 again on their way, and halted finally at the junc- 

 ture of the Fontaine-qui-bouille with the Arkansa, 

 where they determined to construct a winter camp. 

 They now considered themselves at home, and at 

 once set about building a log shanty capable of 

 containing them all, and a large corral for se- 

 curing the animals at night, or in case of Indian 

 alarms. This they effected by felling several 

 large cottonwoods, and throwing them in the form 

 of a horse-shoe: the entrance, however, being nar- 

 rower than in that figure, and secured by upright 

 logs, between which poles were fixed to be with- 

 drawn at pleasure. The house, or " fort '* — as 

 anything in the shape of a house is called in these 



