424 BUFFALO LAND. 



and again it is some other grievance. It may be some 

 gratification for them to know that it is estimated 

 that, until within the last three years, a white man's 

 scalp atoned for each buffalo killed by his race. 



In our various wars with the Indians, it is worthy 

 of remark the bison have been like supply posts at 

 convenient distances, to the hostile bands. Traveling 

 without any supplies whatever, and therefore rapidly, 

 a few moments suffice to kill a buffalo near the camp- 

 ing spot, and roast his flesh over the chips. The 

 pony, meanwhile, makes a hearty meal on the grass. 

 On the other hand, our troops, in pursuit of these 

 bands, have had to encumber themselves with bag- 

 gage wagons, or pack-muleSj bearing food and forage. 



Among our notes, I find recorded many incidents 

 illustrative of the aptitude which the savage mind 

 possesses for dissimulation. For instance, in our 

 council at Hays City, White Wolf could apparently 

 understand only our sign language ; yet when the in- 

 terpreter advised the Professor, in good English, not 

 to accept the little Mexican hurro, unless content to 

 return its weight in something much more valuable 

 than jackass meat, the chief could not refrain from 

 smiling. As Indians are not given to facial reve- 

 lations, the colloquy must have struck him as very 

 apropos and very amusing. We concluded then and 

 there, that it was unsafe to talk Indian sign with the 

 savages for effect, and meanwhile express our real 

 sentiments to each other in English ; and upon this 

 opinion we habitually acted thereafter. 



This was our last night together as a party. The 

 Professor had signified his intention of remaining a 



