GUARD DUTY. 47 



nion with a bertli at their mess without charge. 

 But then these lounging attaches are expected 

 at least to do good service by way of guard 

 duty. None are ever permitted to furnish a 

 substitute, as is frequently done in mihtary ex- 

 peditions, for he that would undertake to stand 

 the tour of another besides his own, would 

 scarcely be watchful enough for the dangers 

 of the Prairies. Even the invahd must be 

 able to produce unequivocal proofs of his 

 inability, or it is a chance if the plea is ad- 

 mitted. For my own part, although I started 

 on the ' sick hst,' and though the prairie sen- 

 tinel must stand fast and brook the severest 

 storm (for then it is that the strictest watch is 

 necessary), I do not remember ever having 

 missed my post but once during the whole 

 journey. 



The usual number of watches is eight 

 each standing a fourth of every alternate night. 

 When the party is small the number is gene- 

 rally reduced ; while in the case of very small 

 bands, they are sometimes compelled for safe- 

 ^[ s sake to keep one watch on duty half the 

 night. With large caravans the captain usu- 

 ally appoints eight ' sergeants of the guard/ 

 each of Avhom takes an equal portion of men 

 under his command. - 



The heterogeneous appearance of our com- 

 pany, consisting of men from every class and 

 grade of society, with a little sprinlding of the 

 softer sex, would have formed an excellent 



subject for an artist's pencil. It may appear, 

 perhaps, a httle extraordinary that females 



