212 Expedition to the 



The meat, with the exception of that of the shoulders or 

 hump, as it is called, is then dissected with much skill into 

 large thin slices, and dried in the sun, or jerked over a slow 

 fire, on a low scaffold. 



The bones of the thighs, to which a small quantity of flesh 

 is left adhering, are placed before the fire until the meat is 

 sufficiently roasted, when they are broken, and the meat and 

 marrow afford a most delicious repast- These, together with 

 the tongue and hump, are esteemed the best parts of the 

 animals. 



The meat, in its dried state, is closely condensed together 

 into quadrangular packages, each of a suitable size, to attach 

 conveniently to one side of the packsaddle of a horse. The 

 dried intestines are interwoven together into the form of 

 mats, and tied up into packages of the same form and size. 

 They then proceed to cache, or conceal in the earth these 

 acquisitions, after which they continue onward in pursuit of 

 other herds of their favourite animal. 



The nation return towards their village in the month of 

 August, having visited for a short time the Pawnee villages, 

 for the purpose of trading their guns for horses. 



They are sometimes so successful, in their expedition, in 

 the accumulation of meat, as to be obliged to make double 

 trips, returning about mid-day for half the whole quantity, 

 which was left in the morning. When within two or three 

 days journey of their own village, runners are dispatched to 

 it, charged with the duty of ascertaining the safety of it, and 

 the state of the maize. 



On the return of the nation, which is generally early in 

 September, a different kind of employment awaits the ever 

 industrious squaws. The property buried in the earth is to 

 be taken up and arranged in the lodges, which are cleaned 

 out, and put in order. The weeds which during their absence 

 had grown up, in every direction through the village, are 

 cut down and removed. 



