WE EMBARK. 139 



duced, is afforded by ihe discovery of a genuine Roman coin, in the State 

 of Missouri, several years since. 



Taking all these corroborative circumstances in connection, the fact that 

 Roman colonies did exist, to some extent, upon this continent in past ages, 

 must be regarded as placed beyond successful controversy. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Singular exhibition of natural affection.— Embark for the States.— Scarcity of pro- 

 visions and consequent hardship and suffering.— Extraordinary daring of wolves. — 

 Difficulties of navigation. — Novel diet.— Fishing.— A fish story, and another to 

 match it.— A bull story. — Hard aground and dismal situation. — Extreme exposure. — 

 Cold, hungry, and wet. — Again afloat. — Re-supply of provisions.— Camp on fire. — 

 A picture of Platte navigation.— Country north of river.— Adventure with a bull.— 

 Indian benevolence.— Summary of hardships and deprivations. — Abandon voyage. 



Soon after our return, one of the hunters came in from a short excursion 

 followed by a buffalo calf, which appeared as tame and docile as if always 

 accustomed to the presence of man. 



This incident first brought to my knowledge a remarkable peculiarity in 

 the nature of these animals, — viz : the strength of affection existing between 

 the mother and her offspring. 



The buffalo will never desert her calf, except in cases of imminent 

 danger, and then, never for a long time ; — she is certain to return promptly 

 in search of it, even at the hazard of her own life. The calf, on the other 

 hand, exhibits an equal, or rather superior, love for its mother. 



If she, to whom he owes his birth, falls a prey to the relentless hunter, he 

 deserts her not, but lingers near her lifeless carcase, till the butcher-knife 

 performs its office, and the reeking flesh belades tlie pack-horse ; — nor then, 

 even, does he leave her. 



As the honored relics are borne away, he not unfrequently follows on, 

 mournfully, regardless of aught else, as if saying, " Where thou goest let 

 me go, and now thou art dead, I would live no longer." There is some- 

 thing touchingly beautiful in such exhibitions of natural affection on the 

 part of dumb brutes. 



May 1th. Availing ourselves of a slight rise of water, we embarked on 

 our meditated voyage to the States. 



The boat was freighted with some sixty packs* of robes, and provisions 

 for four weeks. A barge belonging to another company, also in readiness, 

 started with us, and we all flattered ourselves with the hope of a speedy 

 and pleasant trip. 



The two boats numbered a united crew of eleven men, — mine consist- 

 ing of five, and that of our consort counted six. 



* A pack of robes generally embraces ten skins, and weighs about eighty pounds, j 



