LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 127 



the amber-coloured surface, and, with the usual mountain 

 pledge of " here's luck ! " tossed off the grateful liquor at 

 a breath. This prepared them in some measure for what 

 was yet in store for them. The Scotchman bestirred the 

 cook in his work, and soon sundry steaming pots were 

 lifted from the fire, and the skillets emptied of their bread 

 the contents of the former poured in large flat pans, 

 while panikins were filled with smoking coffee. The two 

 trappers needed no second invitation, but, seizing each a 

 panful of steaming stew, drew the butcher-knives from 

 their belts, and fell-to lustily the hospitable Scotchman 

 plying them with more and more, and administering cor- 

 rective noggins of brandy the while ; until at last they 

 were fain to cry " enough," wiped their knives on the grass, 

 and placed them in their sheaths a sign that human 

 nature could no more. How can pen describe the luxury 

 of the smoke that followed, to lips which had not kissed 

 pipe for many months, and how the fragrant honey-dew 

 from Old Virginia 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 pre- 

 sently 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 mo- 

 cassins, a shirt, and sufficient buck-skin to make a pair of 

 pantaloons ; and how much the more was the wonder in- 

 creased when two excellent Indian horses were presently 

 lassoed from the cavallada, and with mountain saddle, 

 bridle, and lariats complete, together with the two piles of 

 goods described, 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. 



