g train to send forth flashes of light.
The separate bodies are short, like carts with ponies, and not like the
long, four-wheeled wagon drawn by four or six mules, that the soldiers
use. They are not buffaloes, and they cannot be mounted troops, with
pack-mules, because the individual bodies are too long for that.
Besides, the soldiers usually have their chief, with his guards, leading
the train; and the little chiefs are also separated from the main body
and ride at one side!"

From these observations it was concluded that we were soon to meet with
the bois brules, as the French call their mixed-bloods, presumably from
the color of their complexions. Some say that they are named from the
"burned forests" which, as wood-cutters, they are accustomed to leave
behind them. Two or three hours later, at about sunset, our ears began
to distinguish the peculiar music that always accompanied a moving train
of their carts. It is like the grunting and squealing of many animals,
and is due to the fact that the wheels and all other parts of these
vehicles are made of wood. Our dogs gleefully augmented the volume of
inharmonious sound.

They stopped a little way from our camp, upon a grassy plain, and the
ponies were made to wheel their clumsy burdens into a perfect
circle, the shafts being turned inward. Thus was formed a sort of
barricade--quite a usual and necessary precaution in their nomadic and
adventurous life. Within this circle the tents were pitched, and many
cheerful fires were soon kindled. The garcons were hurriedly driving
the ponies to water, with much cracking of whips and outbursting of
impatient oaths.

Our chief and his principal warriors briefly conferred with the
strangers, and it was understood by both parties that no thought of
hostilities lurked in the minds of either.

After having observed the exchange of presents that always follows
a "peace council," there were friendly and hospitable feasts in both
camps. The bois brules had been long away from any fort or trading-post,
and it so happened that their inevitable whiskey keg was almost empty.
They had diluted the few gills remaining with several large kettles full
of water. In order to have any sort of offensive taste, it was necessary
to add cayenne pepper and a little gentian.

Our men were treated to this concoction; and seeing that two or three
of the half-breeds pretended to become intoxicated, our braves followed
their example. They made night