THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 



121 



and we soon had a large fire. In the winter season 

 this prairie fuel is too wet to burn, and oftentimes the 

 hunters have to eat their meat raw, or go without their 

 supper. Ours was cooked however; I made mine chiefly 

 from the liver, as did Harris; others ate boiled or roasted 

 meat as they preferred. The tent was pitched, and I 

 made a bed for Mr. C. and myself, and guns, etc., were 

 all under cover; the evening was cool, the wind fresh, 

 and no mosquitoes. We had seen plenty of Antelopes ; 

 I shot at one twenty yards from the wagon with small 

 shot. Harris killed a Wolf, but we have seen very few, 

 and now I will wish you all good-night ; God bless you ! 



July 28, Friday. This morning was cold enough for a 

 frost, but we all slept soundly until daylight, and about 

 half-past three we were called for breakfast. The horses 

 had all gone but four, and, as usual, Owen was despatched 

 for them. The horses were brought back, our coffee 

 swallowed, and we were off, Mr. C. and I, in the wagon. 

 We saw few Antelopes, no Buffalo, and reached the 

 ferry opposite the fort at half-past seven. We found 

 all well, and about eleven Assiniboins, all young men, 

 headed by the son of a great chief called " Le mangeur 

 d'hommes " (the man-eater). The poor wretched Indian 

 whom Harris had worked over, died yesterday morning, 

 and was buried at once. I had actually felt chilly riding 

 in the wagon, and much enjoyed a breakfast Mrs. Culbert- 

 son had kindly provided for me. We had passed over 

 some very rough roads, and at breakneck speed, but I did 

 not feel stiff as I expected, though somewhat sore, and a 

 good night's rest is all I need. This afternoon the cow's 

 skin and head, and the Hare arrived, and have been pre- 

 served. A half-breed well known to Provost has been 

 here to make a bargain with me about Bighorns, Grizzly 

 Bear, etc., and will see what he and his two sons can do; 

 out I have little or no confidence in these gentry. I was 

 told this afternoon that at Mouse River, about two hundred 



M 



