194 THE AMERICAN BISONS. 



supply the brigades of boats in their expeditions to York Factory, on Hud- 

 son's Bay, and throughout the interior.* 



Pemmican, though made sometimes from the meat of other animals, as 

 deer, elk, moose, mountain sheep, and reindeer, is prepared principally from 

 the buffalo. It is put up in bags of from ninety to one hundred and ten 

 pounds' weight (according to different authorities), and consists of nearly 

 equal parts, by weight, of pounded dried meat and tallow. The method of 

 its preparation has been repeatedly described by different Northern trav- 

 ellers,! whose accounts differ somewhat in respect to the details, as they do 

 in respect to its flavor and desirability as an article of food. The Earl of 

 Southeskt speaks of it as scarcely endurable, and Captain Butler says that 

 when prepared in the best form it " can be eaten, provided the appetite be 

 sharp and there is nothing else to be had, — this last consideration is, how- 

 ever, of importance." § It proves, however, to be exceedingly nutritious, 

 and is the favorite food of the Indians and the half-breed voyageurs, and was 

 formerly so extensively used in the Red River Settlement that the supply 

 was never adequate to the demand. || According to Mr. Sibley's account, as 

 furnished him by the Rev. Mr. Belcourt.lj a Catholic priest residing among 

 the Red River balf-breeds, the dried meat and the pemmican are prepared 

 I iv these people as follows : — 



"The meat, when taken to the camp, is cut by the women into long strips. 

 about a quarter of an inch thick, which are hung upon the lattice-work pre- 

 pared for that purpose, to dry. This lattice-work is formed by small pieces 

 of wood placed horizontally, transversely, and equi-distant from each other. 

 not unlike an immense gridiron, and is supported by wooden uprights 

 (trepieds). In a few days the meat is thoroughly desiccated, when it is bent 

 into proper lengths, and tied in bundles of sixty or seventy pounds' weight. 

 This is called dried meat ( viande seche). Oilier portions, which are destined 



* Narrative of the Canadian Exploring Expedition, Vol. I. p 811. 



[Tie Red [liver Settlement, pp. 268 864; Sibley, in Schoolcraft's History, Condition, nod 

 Le of the Indian TVibcs, Part IV, p. 107; Elind, Canadian Exploring Expedition, VoL I. p. 819; 

 Butler, The Great Lone Land, p. i 



.in and the Rock}' Mountains, p. 302. 

 : Lone Land, p 184. 

 || Rosa, Red River Settlement, p 165. 



* Mr. Belcourt's account appears i<> have been previously communicated to Major S. Woods, by whom 

 ii v%. i- published in the original French as carl} at 1848, in lii- report of 1 » i — Expedition !<• tin' Pembina 

 Settlements. 9 ' Rep>, 81§1 I House Ex Doi . Vol \ III. Ni I 



