SUPPLY OF TIMBERS. ■ 49 



attacks (which are the most common), will of 

 course be more likely to do execution than a 

 single rifle-ball fired at random. The ' repeat- 

 ing ' arms have lately been brought into use 

 upon the Prairies, and they are certainly very 

 forrnidable weapons, particularly when used 

 against an ignorant savage foe. A great 

 many were furnished beside with a bountiful 

 supply of pistols and knives of every descrip- 

 tion, so that the party made altogether a very 

 brigand-hke appearance. 



Dvmng our delay at the Council Grove, the 

 laborers were employed in procuring timber 

 for axle-trees and other wagon repairs, of 

 which a supply is always laid in before leav- 

 ing this region of substantial groAvths; for 

 henceforward there is no wood on the route 

 fit for these purposes ; not even in the moun- 

 tains of Santa Fe do we meet with any ser- 

 viceable timber. The supply procured here 

 Js generally lashed under the wagons, in 

 which way a log is not unfrequently carried 

 to Santa Fe, and even sometimes back again. 



5 



