ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 103 



In about an hour after, an unpleasant accident happened to 

 one of our men, named McCarey. He had been running a 

 buffalo, and was about reloading the gun, which he had just 

 discharged, when the powder in his horn was ignited by a burn- 

 ing wad remaining in the barrel ; the horn was burst to frag- 

 ments, the poor man dashed from his horse, and his face, neck, 

 and hands, burnt in a shocking manner. We applied, imme- 

 diately, the simple remedies which our situation and the place 

 afforded, and in the course of an hour he was somewhat relieved, 

 and travelled on with us, though in considerable suffering. His 

 eyes were entirely closed, the lids very much swollen, and his 

 long, flowing hair, patriarchal beard and eye-brows, had all 

 vanished in smoke. It will be long ere he gets another such 

 crop. 



The weather here is generally uncomfortably warm, so much 

 so, that we discard, while travelling, all such encumbrances as 

 coats, neckcloths, &c., but the nights are excessively cold, ice 

 often forming in the camp kettles, of the thickness of half an 

 inch, or more. My custom has generally been to roll myself in 

 my blanket at night, and use my large coat as a pillow; but here 

 the coat must be worn, and my saddle has to serve the purpose 

 to which the coat is usually applied. 



We travelled, this day, thirty miles, and the next afternoon, 

 at 4 o'clock, arrived at the fort. On the route we met three 

 hunters, whom Captain W. had sent to kill game for the camp. 

 They informed us that all hands have been for several days on 

 short allowance, and were very anxious for our return. 



When we came in sight of the fort, we gave them a mountain 

 salute, each man firing his gun in quick succession. They did 

 not expect us until to-morrow, and the firing aroused them 

 instantly. In a very {e\v minutes, a score of men were armed 

 and mounted, and dashing out to give battle to the advancing 

 Indians, as they thought us. The general supposition was, that 



