ARTEMISIA. 203 
stood or hung convenient for them to place their blankets on 
so soon as they were immersed, and thus avoided exposure 
almost entirely. 
The Camanches are very fond of bathing, both men and 
women, but cleanliness is only partially promoted by it, as 
they are either unable or neglect to change their clothing, 
but wear it in a filthy state. 
The women observed the same modest caution in mount- 
ing their horses. They rode astride, and like all Indians 
mounted upon the right side of the horse, Drawing the 
left foot up, after placing the right in the stirrup, they 
extended it over the saddle at right angles to the right, 
instead of describing the are of a circle, performing the feat 
‘and seating themselves with much ease and grace. This 
fact was common to all the females we met. 
Towards sunset I observed one of the Chief's wives lead- 
ing a horse and mule slowly backwards and forwards through 
a slow fire, which scattered over quite a large bare spot of 
ground, made a dense white smoke without flame, and at the 
same time I was sensible of an aromatic perfume proceeding 
from the valley. Upon inquiry, I found it was the process 
of hardening the hoofs by exposing them to the smoke and 
vapour of the wild rosemary—artemisia—large quantities of 
which grew in the valley of the Clear Fork. 
August 22d.—A little Mexican made his appearance 
among the Indians this morning, dressed in a gay dressing- 
gown and pantaloons, and was immediately recognized by 
