ter the Indian fashion.
But most of the hunters had made their shelter with a buffalo-robe
stretched upon four upright poles. There were "lairs" among the
underwood, constructed of branches, and thatched with the palmated
leaves of the yucca, or with reeds brought from the adjacent river.

There were paths leading out in different directions, marked by openings
in the foliage. Through one of these a green meadow was visible. Mules
and mustangs, picketed on long trail-ropes, were clustered over it.

Through the camp were seen the saddles, bridles, and packs, resting upon
stumps or hanging from the branches. Guns leaned against the trees, and
rusted sabres hung suspended over the tents and lodges. Articles of
camp furniture, such as pans, kettles, and axes, littered the ground in
every direction. Log fires were burning. Around them sat clusters of
men. They were not seeking warmth, for it was not cold. They were
roasting ribs of venison, or smoking odd-fashioned pipes. Some were
scouring their arms and accoutrements.

The accents of many languages fell upon my ear. I heard snatches of
French, Spanish, English, and Indian. The exclamations were in
character with the appearance of those who uttered them. "Hollo, Dick!
hang it, old hoss, what are ye 'bout?" "Carambo!" "By the 'tarnal
airthquake!" "Vaya! hombre, vaya!" "Carrajo!" "By Gosh!" "Santisima
Maria!" "Sacr-r-re!"

It seemed as if the different nations had sent representatives to
contest the supremacy of their shibboleths.

I was struck with three groups. A particular language prevailed in
each; and there was a homogeneousness about the costumes of the men
composing each. That nearest me conversed in the Spanish language.
They were Mexicans. I will describe the dress of one, as I remember it.

Calzoneros of green velvet. These are cut after the fashion of
sailor-trousers, short waist, tight round the hips, and wide at the
bottoms, where they are strengthened by black leather stamped and
stitched ornamentally. The outer seams are split from hip to thigh,
slashed with braid, and set with rows of silver "castletops." These
seams are open, for the evening is warm, and underneath appear the
calzoncillos of white muslin, hanging in white folds around the ankles.
The boot is of calf-skin, tanned, but not blackened. It is reddish,
rounded at the toe, and carries a spur at least a pound in weight, with
a rowel three inches in diameter! The spu