THE BISON, OR BUFFALO. 259 



have to straggle for the defence of their rights. 

 The hunting parties travel therefore in large num- 

 hers, and are armed so as to be alwaj'S ready for 

 a fight, or to repulse any attack that may be made 

 upon them. Frequently, in my excursions across 

 the prairies, I have come upon skeletons and bones 

 bleaching in some obscure ravine, marking no doubt 

 the scene of some deadly combat, and warning me 

 of the perils of a journey across the great American 

 desert. 



One morning in the month of October, 1845, I 

 found myself one of a party of eight on the summits 

 of the chain of mountains on the west side of the 

 Mississippi, two hundred miles from the great cata- 

 racts of St. Antoine. Five of us were on horseback, 

 and the three others, who were born Canadians, and 

 therefore fond of walking, and not to be fatigued, 

 formed the rear-guard, and led two waggons which 

 contained those provisions and utensils which civil- 

 ised man requires when he undertakes a jom^ney to 

 the Far "West. Three led saddle-horses also formed 

 part of the convoy; and underneath the waggons were 

 chamed a couple of hounds of the Scottish breed, 

 of that peculiar build and look which proves the 

 union of strength and speed with great sagacity. 

 Besides these, we had a brace of fine pointers. 

 Black and Stojp, dogs that followed to heel -without 

 requiring a leash. 



"We were all fully armed : some with that short 



