«48 CAMP OF THE MOUNTAIN HUMTKiL 



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My more lengthy rambles brought me to a large valley immured by lit 

 era! hills, that had been occupied a short time previous by a party of In- 

 dians, for the purpose of eagle-catching. As proof of their success, I 

 counted the bodies of thirty-six eagles, lying in piles at their recent camp 

 These consisted of the only two varieties found in the mountains, viz : the 

 American and bald eagle. The wmg-feathers of these birds command a 

 ready sale among the Indians, by whom they are highly prized for the em- 

 pluming of arrows. 



The usual mode of dressing skins, prevalent in this country among both 

 Indians and whites, is very simple in its details and is easily practised. 



It consists in removing all the fleshy particles from the pelt, and divest- 

 ing it of a thin viscid substance upon the exterior, known as the " grain ;" 

 then, after permitting it to dry, it is thoroughly soaked in a liquid decoc% 

 tion formed from the brains of the animal and w^ater, when it is stoutly 

 rubbed with the hands in order to open its pores and admit the mollient 

 OToperties of the fluid, — this done, the task is completed by alternate rub- 

 Dings and distensions until it is completely dry and soft. 



HI this manner a skin may be dressed in a very short time, and, on ap- 

 pUcation of smoke, will not become hardened from any subsequent contact 

 with water. 



The winter-camp of a hunter of the Rocky Mountains would doubtleso 

 pove an object of interest to the unsophisticated. It is usually located in 

 l^me spot sheltered by hills or rocks, for the double purpose of securing 

 tbe full warmth of the sun's rays, and screening it from the notice of stroll 

 ^ Indians that may happen in its vicinity. Within a convenient prox- 

 ^ty to it stands some grove, from which an abundance of dry fuel is pro- 

 garable when needed ; and equally close the ripplings of a watercourse salute 

 ^ ear with their music. 



His shantee faces a huge fire, and is formed of skins carefully extended 

 e^er an arched frame-work of slender poles, which are bent in the form of 

 & semicircle and kept to their places by inserting their extremities in the 

 |p)und. Near this is his " graining block," planted aslope, for the ease of 

 5ie operative in preparing his skins for the finishing process in tlie art of 

 iressing ; and not f%r removed is a stout frame, contrived from four pieces 

 of timber, so tied together as to leave a square of suflicent dimensions for the 

 required purpose, in which, perchance, a skin is stretched to its fullest ex- 

 tension, and the hardy mountaineer is busily engaged in rubbing it with a 

 rough stone or *' scraper," to fit it for the manufacture of clothing. 



riicmghis shantee upon the opposite side of the fire, a pole is reared upon 

 erotches five or six feet high, across which reposes a choice selection of 

 the dainties of his range, to wit: the " side ribs," shoulders, heads, and 

 •* rump-cuts" of deer and sheep, or the " d^pouille" and " fleeces" of buf- 

 ttlo. The camp-fire finds busy employ in fitting for the demands of appe* 

 tite such dainty bits of hissing roasts as en appolas may grace its siaes , 

 while, at brief intervals, the hearty attendant, enchaired upon the head of < 

 mountain sheep, (whose huge horns furnish legs and arms for the cony9« 

 nimce of sitting,) partakes of his tempting lunch. 



OtivfiiUy hung m some fitting place, are seen his ** riding" and ** fuk 



