162 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



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

 kansa 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 

 neighbourhood of these Indians being hardly desirable, 

 after a few days' halt the Americans were again on their 

 way, and halted finally at the juncture of the Fontaine- 

 qui-bout with the Arkansa, where they determined to con- 

 struct 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 securing the 

 animals at night, or in case of Indian alarms. This they 

 effected by felling several large cotton- woods, and throwing 

 them in the form of a horse-shoe : the entrance, however, 

 being narrower than in that figure, and secured by upright 

 logs, between which poles were fixed to be withdrawn at 

 pleasure. The house, or "fort" as anything in the shape 

 of a house is called in these parts, where, indeed, every 

 man must make his house a castle was loopholed on all 

 sides, and boasted a turf chimney of rather primitive con- 

 struction, but which answered the purpose of drawing the 

 smoke from the interior. Game was plentiful all around ; 

 bands of buffalo were constantly passing the Arkansa ; and 

 there were always deer and antelope within sight of the 

 fort. The pasture, too, was good and abundant being the 

 rich grama or buffalo grass, which, although rather dry at 

 this season, still retains its fattening qualities ; and the 

 animals soon began to improve wonderfully in condition 

 and strength. 



Of the four hundred head of mules and horses with which 

 they had started from California, but one-half reached the 

 Arkansa. Many had been killed for food (indeed, they 

 had furnish v. . the only provisions during the journey), 

 many had been stolen by the Indians, or shot by them at 

 night ; and many had strayed off and not been recovered. 

 We have omitted to mention that the Sonora girl Juanita, 





