CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 



Objectsof a proposed excursion. Primary plans and movements. A Di^eEsion. 

 Rendezvous for Oregon emigrants and Santa Fe traders. Sensations on a 

 first visit to the border Prairies. Frontier Indiana, 29 



CHAPTER 11. 



Preparations for leaving. Scenes at Camp. Things as they appeared. Simpli- 

 city of mountaineers. Sleep in the open air. Character, habits, and costume 

 of motmtaineers. Heterogeneous ingredients of Company. The command- 

 ant En route. Comical exhibition and adventure with a Spanish compa- 

 ny. Grouse. Elm Grove. A storm. Santa Fe traders. Indian battle. 34 



CHAPTER III. 



Tlie Pottowatomies. Crossing the Wakarousha. Adventure at the Springs. 

 The Caw chief. Kansas river and Indians. Pleading for wldskey. Hick- 

 ory timber. Prairie tea. Scenes at the N. Fork of Blue. Wild honey. 

 Return party. Mountaineers in California, Adventure with a buffalo. In- 

 dian atrocities. Liquor and tiie Fur Trade. Strict guard. High prices. 45 



CHAPTER IV. 



CSonntry from the frontiers to Big Blue ; its geological character, &c. Novel euro 

 for fever and ague. Indian trails. Game. Large rabbits. Antelope, and 

 their peculiarities. Beaver cuttings. Big Blue and its viciidty. Dangerouj 

 country. Pawnee bravery. Night-alarm, (Prairies on fire.) Platte river. 

 Predominant characteristics of the Grand Prairies, and theory explanative of 

 of tb«»ir phenomenon. Something to laugl^ at. " Big Jim " and the ante- 

 lope. 64 



CHAPTER V. 



Deierted camp. Big Jim's third attempt a a hunter. Buffilo and other particu 

 lar«. Big Jim lying guard. Butch iring. Strange selections. Extraordi- 

 nary eating, and excallence cf buffalo meat. Brady's Island. The muiv 

 derer's fete. Substitute for wood. A storm. Game in camp. Strange 

 tnfetuation. Tenacity of buffalo to life, and how to hunt them.^ Croa S, 

 FWt of Platte. Big Jim's fourth adventura. M 



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