before the pile of meat, and worked
industriously for some time to cut it into thin broad sheets for drying.
This is no easy matter, but Delorier had all the skill of an Indian
squaw. Long before night cords of rawhide were stretched around the
camp, and the meat was hung upon them to dry in the sunshine and pure
air of the prairie. Our California companions were less successful at
the work; but they accomplished it after their own fashion, and their
side of the camp was soon garnished in the same manner as our own.

We meant to remain at this place long enough to prepare provisions for
our journey to the frontier, which as we supposed might occupy about a
month. Had the distance been twice as great and the party ten times as
large, the unerring rifle of Henry Chatillon would have supplied meat
enough for the whole within two days; we were obliged to remain,
however, until it should be dry enough for transportation; so we erected
our tent and made the other arrangements for a permanent camp.

In the meantime we had nothing to do but amuse ourselves. Our tent was
within a rod of the river, if the broad sand-beds, with a scanty stream
of water coursing here and there along their surface, deserve to be
dignified with the name of river. The vast plains on either side were
almost level with the sand-beds, and they were bounded in the distance
by low, monotonous hills, parallel to the course of the Arkansas. All
was one expanse of grass; there was no wood in view, except some trees
and stunted bushes upon two islands which rose from amid the wet sands
of the river. Yet far from being dull and tame, this boundless scene was
often a wild and animated one; for twice a day, at sunrise and at noon,
the buffalo came issuing from the hills, slowly advancing in their grave
processions to drink at the river. All our amusements were at their
expense. Except an elephant, I have seen no animal that can surpass a
buffalo bull in size and strength, and the world may be searched in vain
to find anything of a more ugly and ferocious aspect. At first sight of
him every feeling of sympathy vanishes; no man who has not experienced
it can understand with what keen relish one inflicts his death wound,
with what profound contentment of mind he beholds him fall.

The cows are much smaller and of a gentler appearance, as becomes their
sex. While in this camp we forebore to attack them, leaving to Henry
Chatillon, who could better judge their fatnes