r
afterwards vividly impressed upon his memory. The serenade of the
wolves with which he is honored, is apt to be distinctly remembered.
It is far from agreeable, and seldom fails to awaken unpleasant
forebodings concerning the future; and, the idea that these fellows
may be soon clearing his bones, is not very genial to the fancy. To
the wolf the graveyard is anything but consecrated ground; and, if a
person is very chary of his cadaver, he had better not leave it on the
Western Plains. The wolf is quite choice in his viands whenever the
opportunity offers, and will, at any time, leave the carcass of an
Indian for that of a white man. Old frontiersmen, speaking of the
wolves, usually style them as "their dogs;" and, after a night when
these animals have kept up an incessant barking, they will express
wonder by asking what has been disturbing "their hounds." The flesh of
the mountain wolf, when cooked, has something of the smell and taste
of mutton, but it is very rank.]

In order to frighten the wolves, the teamsters would occasionally
shoot them. One of the members of the expedition was obliged to take
a fresh rifle from a wagon. In taking the gun out, the hammer of the
lock caught against some projecting object, which caused it to be
partially set. Having become freed, however, before it was fully set,
it came down and fired the gun. The contents of the barrel were sent
through the man's arm. No member of the expedition was conversant with
surgical knowledge. Here was an occasion to shake the nerves of any
feeling man; and, beneath the rough exterior of the western ranger,
there runs as deep a stream of true humanity as can be found anywhere
on the American continent. Every suggestion was offered and every
effort was put forth which heart feeling chained to anxiety and the
terrible necessity, could offer. Every remedy which promised a good
result was duly weighed; and, if pronounced worthy of trial, it was
adopted. The sufferer had kind, though rough nurses; but, the absence
of scientific skill, under such emergency, proved a sad want for the
unfortunate man. Notwithstanding their united efforts, Broader's arm
grew alarmingly worse. It soon became manifest to all that he must
part with his arm, or lose his life; perhaps both. At this critical
period, a consultation was held, in which the suffering patient
joined. Due deliberation was extended to all the symptoms. The giving
of advice in such a council by men who cou