a scalp-dance outside the fort--not a
very edifying spectacle, but an amusement in which they seemed to take
an especial delight--were invited to partake of a feast which had been
in the meantime preparing. All our cooks had been engaged on it, and
though not of a very refined description, it suited the taste of our
guests.

We had buffalo meat and venison, boiled, roasted, and stewed, with flour
cakes, and potatoes the produce of our garden. A small amount of whisky
was served out; but Alick was careful not to give the Indians enough to
make them lose their wits. The chiefs, however, who asked for more, got
sufficient to make them loquacious, and some wonderfully long speeches
were uttered, expressing the affection they felt for us, their pale-face
brothers.

When night came on they encamped outside, as it was a rule never to
allow any large body of Indians, whoever they were, to sleep inside the
fort. As they were aware of this, they were not offended. The weather
being warm they had no great hardship to endure, though unable to put up
wigwams for their protection. Before lying down they had another
scalp-dance, which they kept up to a late hour.

We were in hopes that they would go the next day, but they showed no
inclination to move as long as they could obtain an abundant supply of
food. We, of course, were obliged to serve it out from our stores, and
should have been considered very ungrateful had we given them a hint to
take their departure. They thus consumed nearly the whole of the
substantial provisions we had in the fort, including flour and potatoes;
and not till Alick told them that we had but little more to offer did
they express an intention of going away.

Before doing so they invited us to accompany them on a hunting
expedition, which they proposed making in a few days, after they had
returned to their own lodges and obtained horses for the purpose.
Martin and I were eager to go, as was Robin; and we persuaded Alick to
accompany us, as he required a change after the arduous work he had gone
through. At first he was very doubtful about the matter; but he
consented at length to leave Sandy in charge, which he often had done
when compelled to be absent from the fort.

We started from home with our guns, intending to shoot on the way,
directing our horses to be brought after us. We were accompanied by
Bouncer, who was always our attendant on such occasions; and very useful
he often made him