312 JOURNEY BEYOND THE GREAT RIVER. [1815. 
The morning light discovered to us many a veteran 
tree that had withstood the storms of past ages, but 
was now crumbUng to pieces by the hand of time. 
At nine, A.M. we went forward ; our dogs soon dis- 
covered a litde water among reeds, to which some of 
our people ran, and drank along with the dogs, who 
would not part with their right. After proceeding a 
little further we halted in front of a wood, near water. 
Thermometer at sun-rise (seven) 34 : at noon 60. 
This was a very busy forenoon to our Matchappees, 
for we abounded in buffalo flesh, and they employed 
their time diligently in roasting and devouring it. They 
seemed as if they feared that such an opportunity for 
feasting would never occur again. When sitting by the 
fire, they were cooking with one hand and feeding them- 
selves with the other : if they left the fire for a little 
time, they were sure to carry a large bone in their 
hand, picking it as they walked, and when it was 
done they returned for more. We named this Alers 
Fountain. 
Our sheep having strayed, we could not depart till 
three, P.M. when our journey continued among tall 
grass and bushes until six, P.M. when we halted at a 
fountain of water. Some of our people had killed a 
buffalo, which lay at a little distance; but having 
heard lions and wolves at hand, it was judged prudent 
to defer cutting it up till the morning, judging it better 
that the carcase should be exposed to the ravenous 
lions, than our own people* 
