CHAPTER VI. 



^mid of Kaskaias — Indian encampment — Unfriendly beha" 

 viour of the Kaskaias — Some account of their persons and 

 manners — Salt plains — Camancias, 



On the 9th we breakfasted on the last of the horse-beef, 

 which, having been killed on the 5th, and the weather being 

 unusually warm, had suffered from long keeping. We ate it 

 cheerfully, only regretting we had not the prospect of any 

 thing as good for dinner. All the marksmen of the party 

 were kept constantly out in search of game, but for several 

 days had met with no success in hunting. 



Our sufferings from want of provisions, and from the ap- 

 prehension of still more distressing extremities, were now so 

 considerable, that we gave little attention to any object ex- 

 cept hunting. Unfortunately for us, the wind had been high 

 during the morning, and had blown from west to east, near- 

 ly in the direction of our route, so that whatever animals 

 might have been in the way, had received early intimation 

 of our approach, and made their escape. We were glad to 

 observe considerable numbers of prairie wolves, and carrion 

 birds, as they afforded an almost certain indication of the 

 proximity of bisons. The recent tracks of a herd of these 

 animals had been discovered, from which we learned that 

 they had crossed the river within a day or two, in a crowded 

 and hurried manner, as if pursued by hunters. We pursued 

 nearly the same course during the day, and halted for the 

 night at a late hour, having travelled twenty-eight miles, 

 and being much exhausted with fatigue, hunger, and the 

 heat of the day, the mercury at noon having stood at 96*'. 



