370 DIVIDING THE SPOIL. 



leathery, and lean. That of the cows, on the contrary, is 

 as fat as the finest butcher-meat ; and when the animals 

 were stripped of their hide, we found underneath a layer 

 of fat two inches deep. 



My friends, Messrs. Sears, Sinionton, and Delmot, had 

 each killed a bison ; Mr. Mead and myself could pretend 

 only to a share in the chase. As for our Canadians, 

 Bonnet, Duquesne, and Gemmel, each of the three had 

 killed a superb cow, which they contemplated with delight, 

 and were engaged in flaying when we came upon the scene. 



The first operation undertaken by the Indians, after 

 carefully stripping the animals of their skins, was to 

 draw out the intestines, and put them aside for a bonne 

 boucke. Next they proceeded to remove the hump, a 

 fleshy and fatty portion whose reputation is unrivalled 

 among the epicures of every country. After this, they cut 

 the fillets, and some other much appreciated portions, fit 

 for curing, in case of an unforeseen scarcity arising. 



When these preparations were completed, they began 

 to think seriously of the repast, or rather orgie, which, 

 in the American prairies, invariably follows a successful 

 hunt. While the Sioux had been engaged cutting up 

 their prizes, the women, who had hitherto remained in 

 the camp, arrived upon the scene of our exploits. When 

 the bisons had been portioned out, they wrapped up in 

 their skins the pieces selected by the hunters, and carried 

 them to the wigwam, preceding the conquerors, who 

 closed the march, mounted on their smoking and sweat- 

 ing steeds ; the said steeds responding with loud neighs 

 to the guttural whoops of their riders. 



" Sur un tapis de verdure, 

 Le couvert fut bientot mis." 



