ON THE MARCH. 353 



trapper, who, for the very reason that lie lives in the 

 In -art of immeasurable* abundance, becomes more delicate 

 and difficult to satisfy. 



In the evening, thanks to the care of our Canadians, 

 our encampment was in excellent order ; we supped in a 

 very comfortable manner, sharing with the Indians a roast 

 joint of exquisitely flavoured venison ; we recruited our 

 strength, and soon yielded ourselves up to slumber. 



Our arrangements had been made during the evening 

 with Rahm-o-j-or, through the agency of Duquesne, one 

 of our Canadians, who, thanks to a long residence among 

 the Redskins, knew enough of their language to act as 

 interpreter. For a monthly sum of six dollars per head 

 we were to be guided, protected, and sheltered by the 

 Sioux, and afterwards reconducted to the frontiers of 

 ^Missouri. 



Next morning, all the tribe was on foot ; it had boon 

 decided that we should encamp at about twenty miles 

 further west, on the banks of the Ayoua. All the horses 

 of the Indians were loaded with baggage ; and the very 

 women, those poor helots of savage life, performed the 

 office of beasts of burden, carrying heavy loads which our 

 European porters could hardly have lifted upon their 

 shoulders. 



In general, those who marched unencumbered, without 

 their shoulders being bent under any kind of burden, 

 were the beauties of the tribo ; beautiful in spite of the 

 reddish colour of their skins ; graceful, in spite of the un- 

 gainly costume which concealed the swelling outlines of 

 their figures. The only task imposed upon these was to 

 lead the horses by their bridles. 



We started on our journey, acting as scouts and skir- 

 I*u) 23 



