68 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



that it may contain the less, or not unfrequently fill the 

 bottom with melted buffalo fat, with the same object. So 

 greedy are the Indians that they never discover the cheat, 

 and, once under the influence of the liquor, cannot dis- 

 tinguish between the first cup of comparatively strong 

 spirit, and the following ones diluted five hundred per 

 cent, and poisonously drugged to boot. 



Scenes of drunkenness, riot, and bloodshed last until 

 the trade is over. In the winter it occupies several weeks, 

 during which period the Indians present the appearance, 

 under the demoralising influence of the liquor, of demons 

 rather than of men. 



CHAPTEE IV. 



LA BONT and his companions proceeded up the river, the 

 Black Hills on their left hand, from which several small 

 creeks or feeders swell the waters of the North Fork. 

 Along these they hunted unsuccessfully for beaver " sign," 

 and it was evident the spring hunt had almost extermin- 

 ated the animal in this vicinity. Following Deer Creek 

 to the ridge of the Black Hills, they crossed the mountain 

 on to the waters of the Medicine Bow, and here they dis- 

 covered a few lodges, and La Bonte set his first trap. He 

 and old Luke finding " cuttings " near the camp, followed 

 the " sign " along the bank, until the practised eye of the 

 latter discovered a " slide," where the beaver had ascended 

 the bank to chop the trunk of a cotton-wood, and convey 

 the bark to its lodge. Taking a trap from " sack," the old 

 hunter, after setting the trigger, placed it carefully under 

 the water, where the " slide " entered the stream, securing 

 the chain to the stem of a sapling on the bank ; while a 

 stick, also attached to the trap by a thong, floated down 

 the stream, to mark the position of the trap should the 



