360 ' FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



quarters and titbits, binding both bundles down with saddle- 

 ropes and stirrup-leathers, after the fashion in which Indians 

 and cow-boys fasten a load on a pack-horse, and which, simple 

 as it may appear, is altogether an art, to be acquired only under 

 proper tuition. By this time we had been pretty nearly caught 

 hold of by the frost ; the blood had congealed in red ice upon 

 our hands ; and the poor ponies were clothed in icicles. But 

 the loads rode well. We made the best of our way, footing it 

 beside the horses, and reached the cow-camp with the last 

 glimmer of daylight. The ghost-like form and demon-like ears 

 nodding on the foremost horse fairly scared the occupants of 

 the loghouse, as they opened the door to our holloa, and let out 

 the same steaming fog of hot air as before. But their alarm 

 soon turned to joy and triumph ; and their Christmas Dinner 

 and ours on the morrow were veritable feasts to Diana. 



