THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 



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these lodges have a sort of portico that leads to the door, 

 and on the tops of most of them I observed Buffalo skulls. 

 This lodge contained the whole family of our guide — 

 several women and children, and another man, per- 

 haps a son-in-law or a brother. All these, except the 

 man, were on the outer edge of the lodge, crouching 

 on the ground, some suckling children; and at nearly 

 i equal distances apart were placed berths, raised about 

 [two feet above the ground, made of leather, and with 

 square apertures for the sleepers or occupants to enter. 

 The man of v/hom I have spoken was lying down in 

 one of these, which was all open in front. I walked up 

 [to him, and, after disturbing his happy slumbers, shook 

 [hands with him ; he made signs for me to sit down ; and 

 lafter Harris and I had done so, he rose, squatted himself 

 [near us, and, getting out a large spoon made of boiled 

 Juffalo horn, handed it to a young girl, who brought a 

 jreat rounded wooden bowl filled with pemmican, mixed 

 /ith corn and some other stuff. I ate a mouthful or so of 

 ft, and found it quite palatable ; and Harris and the rest 

 then ate of it also. Bell was absent ; we had seen nothing 

 )f him since we left the boat. This lodge, as well as the 

 )ther, was dirty with water and mud ; but I am told that in 

 Iry weather they are kept cleaner, and much cleaning do 

 |hey need, most truly. A round, shallow hole was dug in 

 [he centre for the fire ; and from the roof descended over 

 lis a chain, by the aid of which they do their cooking, 

 le utensil being attached to the chain when wanted. As 

 rc returned towards the fort, I gave our guide a piece of 

 )bacco, and he appeared well pleased. He followed us 

 kn board, and as he peeped in my room, and saw the 

 Iried and stuffed specimens we have, he evinced a slight 

 [egree of curiosity. Our captain, Mr. Chardon, and our 

 len have been busily engaged in putting ashore that por- 

 lon of the cargo designed for this fort, which in general 

 )pearance might be called a poor miniature representa- 



