SMOKING SUMACH. 59. 
- corn—the one fed from nature’s bounty, the other, raised 
by the sweat of their slaves, in quantity sufficient to keep 
them from starvation—are their food; and the Indian can 
mount his pony and gallop whooping through the prairie, 
lounge dozing about his log hut. or taking his rifle, stroll 
listlessly about the country; in short, do any thing but work ; 
“that is a word not known in his vocabulary. 
Nor does their country supply only the necessaries of life ; 
the sumach grows in abundance and is prepared from the 
_ stalk almost in an instant. : 
Whilst in camp one evening during our march, J observed 
two Indians ride up and dismount. One of them stooped 
down, pulled something from under his horse’s feet, and 
walking to the camp fire, held it over the flame. Prompted 
by curiosity, I went over and found him preparing sumach 
for his evening’s smoke. He had pulled a bunch of the green 
branches of the plant, and now held them in the flame just 
far enough and long enough, to singe and curl them; he 
then rubbed them in his hands, filled his -pipe, lit it, and, 
mounting, was gone, the whole process not detaining him 
five minutes. : 
Thus, even the luxuries -of life are supplied by the same 
bountiful hand, and “dolce far niente” made as perfect, as 
imagination can conceive, or the Indian’s capacity enjoy. 
Even the few improvements in culinary utensils, and faci- 
lities for preparing food for cooking, are not taken advantage 
of, The old log burnt hollow at one end, and the rude 
