reen hide of a buffalo, horse, mule, or ox,
stretching it upon the ground, and pinning it down by the edges. After
it has been well stretched, a circle is described with a piece of
charcoal, embracing as much of the skin as practicable, and a strip
about an inch wide cut from the outer edge of sufficient length to form
the lariat. The strip is then wrapped around between two trees or
stakes, drawn tight, and left to dry, after which it is subjected to a
process of friction until it becomes pliable, when it is ready for use;
this lariat answers well so long as it is kept dry, but after it has
been wet and dried again it becomes very hard and unyielding. This,
however, may be obviated by boiling it in oil or grease until
thoroughly saturated, after which it remains pliable.

The Indians make very good lariat ropes of dressed buffalo or buck
skins cut into narrow strips and braided; these, when oiled, slip much
more freely than the hemp or cotton ropes, and are better for lassoing
animals, but they are not as suitable for picketing as those made of
other material, because the wolves will eat them, and thus set free the
animals to which they are attached.

CACHES.

It not unfrequently happens that travelers are compelled, for want of
transportation, to abandon a portion of their luggage, and if it is
exposed to the keen scrutiny of the thieving savages who often follow
the trail of a party, and hunt over old camps for such things as may be
left, it will be likely to be appropriated by them. Such contingencies
have given rise to a method of secreting articles called by the old
French Canadian voyagers "_caching_."

The proper places for making caches are in loose sandy soils, where the
earth is dry and easily excavated. Near the bank of a river is the most
convenient for this purpose, as the earth taken out can be thrown into
the water, leaving no trace behind.

When the spot has been chosen, the turf is carefully cut and laid
aside, after which a hole is dug in the shape of an egg, and of
sufficient dimensions to contain the articles to be secreted, and the
earth, as it is taken out, thrown upon a cloth or blanket, and carried
to a stream or ravine, where it can be disposed of, being careful not
to scatter any upon the ground near the cache. The hole is then lined
with bushes or dry grass, the articles placed within, covered with
grass, the hole filled up with earth, and the sods carefully placed
back in their origi