220 CRUISINGS IN THE CASCADES 



themselves by rising to their feet. The entire party 

 arose. Then their leader thanked them again, and 

 their informal deliberation ended. 



The captain detailed four men to act as a guard 

 over the camp and stock during the night, each 

 watching two hours and then calling up the one 

 who was to relieve him, and this precaution was 

 followed up throughout the expedition. 



The men were tired from their long ride, and 

 sought the comfort of their blankets at an early 

 hour. As they had a ten days' journey before them 

 to reach the buifalo range, it was agreed that they 

 should start early each morning, and the camp 

 fires were therefore ordered to be lit at four o' clock. 



The journey was uneventful for several days. 

 The road upon which the party had first traveled 

 bearing off to the southwest, and the course of our 

 party being due west, they left it. "Red River 

 Frank" now sustained his good reputation as a 

 guide by selecting with excellent skill and judg- 

 ment the best portion of the country to travel in, 

 avoiding the numerous swamps and sandy plains, 

 finding safe and easy fords across the streams, and 

 selecting good camp sites for each night. 



They were now in a country where deer and tur- 

 keys were abundant, and their tables were bounti- 

 fully supplied with fresh meat. They camped on 

 the night of November 12 in a clump of tall cotton- 

 wood trees that skirted a small creek. Just at dusk 

 a great rush of wings was heard in the air, and, 

 looking in the direction from whence the sound 

 came, a large flock of wild turkeys was seen sailing 

 directly toward their camp, and, a moment later, 



