46 ORGANIZATION AND MUSTER. 



when the company is large — and ours con- 

 sisted of nearly a hundred wagons,* besides 

 a dozen of dearborns and other small vehi- 



and two smtdl cannons (a four and 



derV each mounted nnon amrrino-n. 



To 



each of these divisions, a 'lieutenant' was ap- 

 pointed, whose duty it was to inspect every 

 ravine and creek on the route, select the best 



O'^J 



and superintend what is called 



prairie parlance, the 'forming' of each en- 

 campment 



Upon the calling of the roll, we were found 

 to muster an efficient force of nearly two hun- 

 dred men v/ithout counting invahds or other 

 disabled bodies, who, as a matter of course, 

 ai-e exempt from duty. There is nothing so 

 much dreaded by inexperienced travellers * as 

 the ordeal of guard duty. But no matter what 

 the condition or employment of the indivi- 

 dual may be, no one has the smallest chance 

 of evading the ' common law of the prairies.' 

 The amateur tourist and the listless loafer are 

 precisely in the same wholesome predica- 

 ment — ^they must all take their regular turn at 

 the watch. There is usually a set of genteel 

 idlers attached to every caravan, w^hose wits 

 are for ever at work in devising schemes for 

 whihng away their irksome hours at the ex- 

 pense of others. By embarking in these ' trips 

 of pleasure,' they are enabled 'to live without 

 expense ; for . the hospitable traders seldom 

 refuse to accommodate even a loafin«- compa- 



The 

 about $200,000. 



rest 

 wa3 



