392 " LEFT NOT A RACK BEHIND." 



my gun, and the other the Sioux warrior-costume pre- 

 sented by the beautiful Otami-ah. 



Now, the whole had been carefully collected undei my 

 personal supervision, and a chain passed between the 

 straps and cords of each trunk, box, chest, and portman- 

 teau ; and as this, at the other end, was fastened by a 

 padlock closing on the last link, I thought I might rest 

 in perfect contentment. Moreover, was not my negro on. 

 the watch, to obtain his reward 1 



Fatal confidence ! foolish security ! I reckoned with- 

 out the artful rogues who are passengers daily on board 

 the steam-boats of the rivers of the United States. I 

 ought to have reflected more on the wisdom of the num- 

 erous inscriptions displayed before me on the posts and 

 partitions of our floating hotel : 



" BEWARE OF THIEVES AND PICKPOCKETS." 



Next morning, after breakfast, I had the curiosity to 

 go and examine whether during the night, and at the 

 various halting-places of the steamer, my luggage had 

 been in any way deranged or injured. Alas, I discovered 

 that my two precious parcels were missing ! 



I shouted, and I stormed ; I almost wept ; I threatened 

 the stupid clown of a negro that I would fling him into 

 prison, since he was legally responsible for the safety of 

 my " goods and chattels ;" all was fruitless. Whether 

 through some inexplicable accident or some cunning theft, 

 I lost and, as it proved, for ever my valuable furs and 

 niy dazzling " costume of a Redskin warrior ! " 



Farewell to tho pleasure I had hoped to enjoy in dis- 



