SCENES AT CAMP. 17 



lighted, in front of wliicli the officiating cook was busily engaged in prepar- 

 ing the evening repast. To the windward were the dusky forms of ten or 

 fifteen men, — some standing, others sitting a la Turk, and others half- 

 reclining or quietly extended at full length upon the ground, — watching 

 the operative of the culinary department with great seeming interest. 



Enchairing myself upon a small log, I began to survey the surrounding 

 objects. In the back ground stood four large Connestoga waggons, with 

 ample canvass tops, and one dearborn, all tastefully drawn up in crescent 

 form. To the right a small pyramid-shaped tent, with its snow-white 

 covering, disclosed itself to the eye, and presented an air of comfort. To 

 the left the caravan animals, securely picketed, at regular distances of some 

 fifteen yards apart, occupied an area of several acres. Close at hand a 

 crystal streamlet traced its course, murmuring adown the valley ; and still 

 beyond, a lovely grove waved its branches in the breeze, and contributed 

 its willing mite to enliven and beautify the scene. The camp-fires in 

 front, formed a kind of gateway to a small enclosure, shut in as above 

 described. Here were congregated the company, or at least, that portion 

 of it yet arrived. Some had already spread their easily adjusted couches 

 upon the ground, in readiness for the coming night, and seemed only await- 

 ing supper to forget their cares and troubles in the sweet embrace of sleep. 

 Every thing presented such an air of primitive simplicity not altogether 

 estranged to comfort, I began to think it nowise marvellous that this 

 mode of life should afford such strong attractions to those inured to it. 



Supper disposed of, the area within camp soon became tenanted by the 

 devotees of slumber, — some snoring away most melodiously, and others 

 conversing in an animated tone, now jovial, now grave, and at intervals, 

 causing the night-air to resound with merry peals of laughter. At length 

 the sleep-god began to assert his wonted supremacy, and silence in some 

 measure reigned throughout camp. 



The bed of a mountaineer is an article neither complex in its nature nor 

 difficult in its adjustment. A single buffalo robe folded double and spread 

 upon the ground, with a rock, or knoll, or some like substitute for a pillow, 

 furnishes the sole base-work upon which the sleeper reclines, and, envel- 

 oped in an additional blanket or robe, contentedly enjoys his rest. Wishing 

 to initiate myself to the new mode of life before me, I was not slow to imi- 

 tate the example of the promiscuous throng, and the lapse of a few moments 

 found me in a fair way to pass quite pleasantly my first night's repose in 

 the open air. 



With the first gray of morning-I arose refreshed and invigorated, nor 

 even suffered tlie slightest ill effect from my unusual exposure to a humid 

 and unwholesome night-air. The whole camp, soon after, began to disclose 

 a scene of cheerfulness and animation. The cattle and horses, unloosed 

 from their fastenings, and accompanied by keepers, were again permitted 

 to roam at large, and in a short time were most industriously engaged in 

 administering to the calls of appetite. 



Afiter breakfast I improved the opportunity to look about and scan more 

 closely the appearance of my coinpagnons de voyage. This opened to view 

 a new field for the study of men and manners. 



A mountain company generally comprises some quaint specimens of 

 human nature, and, perhaps, few more so than the one to which I here 



