THE BISON, OR BUFFALO. 201 



All had been stowed away under mj very eyes, and a 

 chain passed through the cords of each package, and 

 a padlock at the ends of that. Surely I had a right 

 to think that everything was safe. Alas ! I had not 

 taken into account the accomplished thieves who 

 infest these river steamers in America. I should 

 have taken better heed of the significant warning 

 which adorned every part of our floating phalanstery, 

 " Beware of thieves and pickpockets." Next morn- 

 ing, after breakfast, I went to see whether the stop- 

 pages at the different stations had caused any 

 derangement of my luggage, and to my dismay the 

 two precious packets were nowhere to be found. I 

 stamped and swore ; I threatened the stupid brute 

 who had taken charge of my goods to hold him 

 responsible for the loss ; it was all of no use. 

 Whether by theft or mistake, I had lost my furs 

 and my Sioux dress irrecoverably. There was nothing 

 for it but to resign myself to my misfortune with a 

 philosophic spirit. 



Of my sojourn among the Red Skins I retain no 

 memento but a bow and a few arrows ; a pouch for 

 powder and ball, embroidered with porcupine's quills ; 

 and my panther s skin. Into whose hands the rest 

 of my trophies have fallen I know not. 



END OF VOL. I. 



