DRYING SKINS. 97 
very perceptible in the lounging step, the hearty yawn and 
the disordered look of every one and everything about camp. 
Our Indians, were the only ones stirring until a late hour, 
and when we turned out, two deer were ready for the spit, the 
proceeds of their morning’s work. 
_ Ihave been struck with the thorough going manner of these 
Delawares. 
When anything was to be done, not even conversation was 
indulged in until it was finished. 
So soon as they had deposited their game at the door of the 
Captain’s tent, they turned their attention to drying the skins ; 
this they did by stretching them in every part by means of 
long thin sticks, fastened upon the hair side, and then hanging 
them in the sun, and air. After this—as this was their day 
to draw rations of sugar, coffee and flour—bread was baked 
and coffee roasted, they then prepared a meal, and afterwards 
lounged, chatting, smoking or dozing, until the time for 
making ready for the road, a good example, worthy of imita- 
tion, business first, ease afterwards. 
Having observed another mound acne; as I thought, a 
quarter of a mile off, I started on-foot to explore it, when, to 
my surprise, an hour elapsed ere I reached the top, so. decep- 
tive are distances on the prairie. 
This mound was more elevated, but less abrupt than the 
former one, — 
I found on top a rude structure, binilt of loose ue but 
9* 
