348 CAMP OF THE MOUNTAIN HUNTER. 



My more lengthy rambles brought me to a large valley immured by lat- 

 eral hills, that had been occupied a short time previous by a party of In- 

 dians, for the purpose of eagle-catching. As proof of their success, I 

 counted the bodies of thirty-six eagles, lying in piles at their recent camp. 

 These consisted of the only two varieties found in the mountains, viz : the 

 American and bald eagle. The wing-feathers of these birds command a 

 ready sale among the Indians, by whom they are highly prized for the em- 

 pluming of arrows. 



The usual mode of dressing skins, prevalent in this country among both 

 Indians and whites, is very simple in its details and is easily practised. 



It consists in removing all the fleshy particles from the pelt, and divest- 

 ing it of a thin viscid substance upon the exterior, known as the " grain ;" 

 then, after permitting it to dry, it is thoroughly soaked in a liquid decoc- 

 tion formed from the brains of the animal and water, when it is stoutly 

 rubbed with the hands in order to open its pores and admit the mollient 

 properties of the fluid, — this done, the task is completed by alternate rub- 

 bings and distensions until it is completely dry and soft. 



In this manner a skin may be dressed in a very short time, and, on ap- 

 plication of smoke, will not become hardened from any subsequent contact 

 with water. 



The winter-camp of a hunter of the Rocky Mountains would doubtless 

 prove an object of interest to the unsophisticated. It is usually located iii 

 some spot sheltered by hills or rocks, for the double purpose of securing 

 the full warmth of the sun's rays, and screening it from the notice of stroll- 

 ing Indians that may happen in its vicinity. Within a convenient prox- 

 imity to it stands some grove, from which an abundance of dry fuel is pro- 

 curable when needed ; and equally close the ripplings of a watercourse salute 

 the ear with their music. 



His shantee faces a huge fire, and is formed of skins carefully extended 

 over an arched frame- work of slender poles, which are bent in the form of 

 a semicircle and kept to their places by inserting their extremities in the 

 ground. Near this is his" graining block," planted aslope, for the ease of 

 the operative in preparing his skins for the tinishing process in the art of 

 dressing ; and not far removed is a stout frame, contrived from four pieces 

 of timber, so tied together as to leave a square of suflicent dimensions for the 

 required purpose, in whicii, perchance, a skin is stretched to its fullest ex- 

 tension, and the hardy mountaineer is busily engaged in rubbing it with a 

 rough stone or " scraper," to fit it for the manufacture of clothing. 



Facing his shantee upon the opposite side of the fire, a pole is reared upon 

 crotches five or six feet high, across which reposes a choice selection of 

 the dainties of his range, to wit: the "side ribs," shoulders, heads, and 

 *' rump-cuts" of deer and sheep, or the " depouille" and "fleeces" of buf- 

 lalo. The camp-fire finds busy employ in fitting for the demands of appe- 

 tite such dainty bits of hissing roasts as en appolas may grace its sides , 

 while, at brief intervals, the hearty attendant, enchaired upon the head of a 

 mountain sheep, (whose huge horns furnish legs and arms for the conve- 

 nience of sitting,) partakes of his tempting lunch. 



Carefully hung in some fitting place, are seen his " riding" and " pack 



