LIFEINTHEFARWEST. 189 



carouse on Taos whisky, and then return to some hole or corner in 

 the mountains which he knew of, to follow in the spring his soli- 

 tary avocation. He, too, had had his share of troubles, and had 

 many Indian scrapes, but passed safely through all, and scarcely 

 cared to talk of what he had done, so matter-of-fact to him were 

 the most extraordinary of his perilous adventures. 



Arrived at Bent's Fort, the party disposed of their cavallada, 

 and then — respect for the pardonable weaknesses of our mountain 

 friends prompts us to draw a vail over the furious orgies that en- 

 sued. A number of hunters and trappers were "in" from their 

 hunting-grounds, and a village of Shians and some lodges of Kio- 

 ways were camped round the fort. As long as the liquor lasted, 

 and there was good store of alcohol as well as of Taos whisky, the 

 Arkansas resounded with furious mirth — not unmixed with graver 

 scenes ; for your mountaineer, ever quarrelsome in his cups, is 

 quick to give and take offense, when rifles alone can settle the 

 difference, and much blood is spilt upon the prairie in his wild and 

 frequent quarrels. 



Bent's Fort is situated on the left or northern bank of the river 

 Arkansas, about one hundred miles from the foot of the Rocky 

 Mountains — on a low and level bluff of the prairie which here 

 slopes gradually to the water's-edge. The walls are built entirely, 

 of adobes — or sun-burned bricks — in the form of a hollow square, 

 at two corners of which are circular flanking towers of the same 

 material. The entrance is by a large gateway into the square, 

 round which are the rooms occupied by the traders and employes 

 of the host. These are small in size, with walls colored by a 

 white- wash made of clay found in the prairie. Their flat roofs 

 are defended along the exterior by parapets of adobe, to serve as a 

 cover to marksmen firing from the top ; and along the coping 

 grow plants of cactus of all the varieties common in the plains. 

 In the center of the square is the press for packing the furs ; and 

 there are three large rooms, one used as a store and magazine, 



