ly cordial. It is amusing to
see the raw-hide patches of harness, wagon and clothing, now become
dry and hard as oak. To have dispensed with the use of buckskin on his
route, would have been like cutting off the right arm of the gallant
pioneer. Buckskin and the western wilds of America are almost
synonymous terms; at least, the one suggests the other, and therefore
they are of the same brotherhood. The traveler in these regions of
this day fails not to learn and appreciate its value. It has not only
furnished material for clothing, but has been used to repair almost
every article in daily use. Even the camp and tea-kettle, as well as
the frying, milk and saucepan, bedstead and hammock, chair and table,
all have had their buckskin appendage, as fast as any of them have
become injured or broken.

Everything being in readiness, Carson set out with his followers for
their hunting-grounds. Their pace was one of so much rapidity, that
after one day's march they discovered signs of the buffalo. On the
following morning immense herds were in sight. A suitable place for a
camp was soon selected, and everything which could impede their work
well stowed away. The best marksmen were selected for hunters, and the
remainder of the party detailed to take care of the meat as fast
as the hunters should bring it in. Poles were planted on the open
prairies, and from one to the other ropes of hide were stretched. Upon
these ropes strips of the buffalo meat were hung for curing,
which consists of merely drying it in the sun's rays. After it is
sufficiently dried, it is taken down and bound up in bundles.
During the time of hunting and curing, the trappers feasted upon
the delicacies of the game, which consist of the tongue, liver and
peculiar fat which is found along the back of the buffalo. Their past
sufferings from hunger had made them so determined in the work of
procuring game, that in a few days they possessed meat sufficient to
load down all their pack animals. They now thought about returning to
Fort Hall. Their pace, however, rendered so by their weighty game, was
very slow. Their old enemies, the Blackfeet Indians, had discovered
them while engaged in this hunt. They followed them on the march to
the Fort, the trappers being wholly unaware of their presence; in
fact, the idea of hostile Indians had not troubled their thoughts.

Two or three nights after they arrived at the Fort, taking advantage
of a dark evening, the Indians d