338 ASSINNIB'OINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



favourable to the increase of the buffalo, the elk, the 

 moose, the antelope and the bear, — animals which always 

 seek the protection of "woods" during the terribly in- 

 clement winters of the north-western part of the American 

 continent. 



Wood began to be a great treasure in the prairie after 

 passing the Moose Jaws Forks ; we were compelled to go 

 supperless to bed on the night of the 25th, because we had 

 neglected to take a supply at the last aspen grove we 

 passed, thinking that the bois de vache (dried buffalo 

 dung) would be found in abundance, but the fires had 

 burnt it also, and not even a fragment was to be procured. 

 No tree or shrub, or even willow twig could be seen in 

 any direction from our camp on the morning of the 25th. 

 Our customary breakfast of tea and buffalo meat was im- 

 possible. We had to content ourselves with uncooked 

 pemmican and water from a marsh. 



Immediately on the banks of the Qu'appelle Valley 

 near the " Bound Hill" opposite Moose Jaws Forks, are the 

 remains of ancient encampments, where the Plain Crees, 

 in the day of their power and pride, had erected large skin 

 tents, and strengthened them with rings of stones placed 

 round the base. These circular remains were twenty-five 

 feet in diameter, the stones or boulders being about one 

 foot in circumference. They wore the aspect of great 

 antiquity, being partially covered with soil and grass. 

 When this camp ground was occupied by the Crees, timber 

 no doubt grew in the valley below, or on the prairie and 

 ravines in detached groves, for their permanent camping 

 grounds are always placed near a supply of fuel. 



Making an early start in search of wood, we came sud- 

 denly upon four Cree tents, whose inmates were still fast 

 asleep ; about three hundred yards west of them we found 

 ten more tents, with over fifty or sixty Indians in all. 



