65 \ LIFEINTHEFARWEST. 



to gratify his "dry" (for your mountaineer is never "thirsty") ; 

 and then, " hos and beaver" gone, is necessitated to hire himself 

 to one of the leaders of big bands, and hypothecate his services 

 for an equipment of traps and animals. Thus La Bonte picked 

 up three excellent mules for a mere song, with their accompany- 

 ing pack-saddles, apishmnores,'^ and lariats, and the next day, 

 with Luke, "put out" for Platte. 



As they passed through the rendezvous, which was encamped 

 on a little stream beyond the town, even our young Mississippian 

 was struck with the novelty of the scene. Upward of forty huge 

 wagons, of Conostoga and Pittsburg build, and covered with snow- 

 white tilts, were ranged in a semicircle, or rather a horse-shoe 

 form, on the flat, open prairie, their long "tongues" (poles) point- 

 ing outward ; with the necessary harness for four pairs of mules, 

 or eight yoke of oxen, lying on the ground beside them, spread in 

 ready order for " hitching up." Round the wagons groups of 

 teamsters, tall, stalwart young Missourians, were engaged in busy 

 preparation for the start ; greasing the wheels, fitting or repairing 

 harness, smoothing ox-bows, or overhauling their own moderate 

 kits or " possibles." They were all dressed in the same fashion : 

 a pair of " homespun" pantaloons, tucked into thick boots reach- 

 ing nearly to the knee, and confined round the waist by a broad 

 leathern belt, which supported a strong butcher-knife in a sheath. 

 A coarse, checked shirt was their only other covering, with a fur 

 cap on the head. 



Numerous camp-fires surrounded the wagons, and near them 

 lounged wild-looking mountaineers, easily distinguished from the 

 " greenhorn" teamsters by their dresses on)uckskin, and their 

 weather-beaten faces. Without an exception, these were under 

 the influence of the rosy god ; and one, who sat, the picture of 

 misery, at a fire by himself — staring into the blaze with vacant 



* Saddle-blanket made of buffalo-calf skiu. 



