FUR-TRAPPERS OF THE FAR WEST. 67 



merits. His costume is a hunting-shirt of dressed buckskin, 

 ornamented with long fringes ; pantaloons of the same mate- 

 rial, decorated with porcupine quills and long fringes down 

 the outside of the leg. He has mocassins on his feet, and a 

 flexible felt hat on his head. Over his left shoulder and 

 under his right arm hang his powder-horn and bullet-pouch, 

 with flint, steel, and other articles, in a bag. A belt round 

 the waist secures a large knife in a sheath of buffalo hide to 

 a steel chain, as also a case of buckskin, containing a whet- 

 stone. In his belt is also stuck a tomahawk, a pipe-holder 

 hangs round his neck, and a long heavy rifle is slung over his 

 shoulder. ( 



Arrived on the hunting-ground, as soon as the ice has 

 broken up he follows the creeks and streams, keeping a look- 

 out for the signs of beavers. As soon as he discovers one, he 

 sets his trap, secured to a chain fastened to a stake or tree, 

 baiting it with the tempting castoreum. He is ever on the 

 watch for the neighbourhood of Indians, who try to outwit 

 him, though generally in vain, to steal his traps and beavers. 

 His eye surveys the surrounding country, and instantly de- 

 tects any sign of his foes. A leaf turned down, the slightly 

 pressed grass, the uneasiness of the wild animals, the flight of 

 birds, all tell him that other human beings are in the neigh- 

 bourhood. Sometimes, after he has set his traps and is re- 

 turning to his camp, the wily Indian who has been watching 

 follows, and a home-drawn arrow, shot within a few feet, 

 never fails to bring the hapless victim to the ground. For 

 one white scalp, however, that dangles in the smoke of an 

 Indian's lodge, a dozen black ones surround the camp-fires of 

 the trappers' rendezvous. Here, after the hunt, from all 

 quarters the hardy trappers bring in their packs of beaver 



