October. They divide into three bands, each taking a separate route,
for the purpose of falling in with the herds of buffaloes. These bands
are each accompanied by about five hundred carts, drawn by either an ox
or a horse. They are curious vehicles, roughly formed with their own
axes, and fastened together with wooden pins and leather thongs, not a
nail being used. The tires of the wheels are made of buffalo hide, and
put on wet. When they become dry, they shrink, and are so tight that
they never fall off, and last as long as the cart holds together. The
carts contain the women and children, and provisions, and are intended
to bring back the spoils of the chase. Each is decorated with some
flag, so that the hunters may recognise their own from a distance. They
may be seen winding off in one wide line extending for miles, and
accompanied by the hunters on horseback. These expeditions run the
danger of being attacked by the Sioux Indians, who inhabit the prairies
to the south. The camps are therefore well surrounded by scouts, for
the purpose of reconnoitring either for enemies or buffaloes. If they
see the latter, they make a signal by throwing up handfuls of dust; if
the former, by running their horses to and fro.

Mr Paul Kane, the Canadian artist, describes one of these expeditions
which he joined. On their way they were visited by twelve Sioux chiefs,
who came for the purpose of negotiating a permanent peace; but whilst
smoking the pipe of peace in the council lodge, the dead body of a
half-breed, who had gone to a distance from the camp, was brought in
newly scalped, and his death was at once attributed to the Sioux. Had
not the older and more temperate half-breeds interfered, the young men
would have destroyed the twelve chiefs on the spot: as it was, they were
allowed to depart unharmed. Three days afterwards, however, the scouts
were observed making the signal of enemies being in sight. Immediately
a hundred of the best-mounted hastened to the spot, and concealing
themselves behind the shelter of the bank of a stream, sent out two of
their number as decoys, to expose themselves to the view of the Sioux.
The latter, supposing them to be alone, rushed upon them; whereupon the
concealed half-breeds sprang up and poured in a volley which brought
down eight. The others escaped, though several must have been wounded.

Two small herds having been met with, of which several animals were
killed, the sco