Rocky Mountains. 193 



means of a strong fire in and upon it. It was now covered 

 with cinders and earth, to the depth of about one foot, and a 

 strong fire was made over it. In this situation it remained 

 until it was taken up for the table to-day, when it was found 

 to be excellent food. Mr. Lisa and family dined with us by 

 invitation. That we have sometimes food in great sufficiency, 

 the provision upon our table this day will sufficiently attest. 

 It consisted of the entire bison hump, above mentioned ; 

 the rump of a bison roasted ; boiled bison meat ; two 

 boiled bison tongues ; the spinous processes roasted in 

 the manner of spare ribs ; sausages made of minced 

 tender loin and fat, &c. It is true that we have no vegeta- 

 bles whatever ; but having been so long estranged from 

 them we scarcely regret their absence. Their place is 

 supplied by excellent wheat flour, of which our cook pre- 

 pares us bread fully equal, in point of excellence, to any that 

 we have ever eaten. The above repast was prepared for 

 eleven persons, of whom two were ladies. The collation was 

 succeeded by coffee as a dessert. 



February 28th. I ascertained the temperature of spring 

 water, which, however, was somewhat exposed to the atmos- 

 phere, but in a shaded situation, and in a ravine, to be 47° ; 

 that of the atmosphere being at the same time 56°, and that 

 of the river 32°, of Fahrenheit's scale. 



Wednesday, March 8th. The Big Elk, Big Eyes, and 

 Wash-co-mo-ne-a visited us to-day on their way, with their 

 attendants, to the traders with jerked bison meat. They pre- 

 sented us with five large pieces. The Big Elk, principal 

 Omawhaw chief, is much pitted with the small pox, and is of 

 commanding presence. He speaks with great emphasis, and 

 remarkably distinct. He observed that we must think them 

 strange people to be thus constantly wandering about, during 

 the cold of winter, instead of remaining comfortably housed 

 in their village ; " but," said he, " our poverty and necessities 

 compel us to do so, in pursuit of game ; yet we sometimes 



vol. i. 25 



