rough furniture, which served our purpose. We should
often have been on short commons had not Sam and Sigenok been expert
fishermen, so that we were never without an ample supply of white-fish,
or gold-eyes, or sturgeon.

"This very well," observed Sigenok. "Fish very good, but in winter
buffalo better."

"Will you help us to go and hunt the buffalo, then?" we both exclaimed.

Sigenok nodded; it was what he had proposed to himself that we should
do. Although a wood Indian, he had connections among the prairie
Indians, and from living with them had become a good rider and expert
hunter. Sam did not like our going; he was afraid some accident might
happen to us, but he had not the heart to tell us so. He was to remain
at home to take care of the farm. Sigenok procured two other horses,
one for himself, and another to drag a light cart which we bought, made
entirely of wood. It was laden with our tent and provisions, and our
rifles and powder and shot. We felt in high spirits when we were ready
to start, and wishing Sam an affectionate farewell, set off to join a
large band of hunters proceeding to the plains. There were nearly three
hundred men, besides their wives and children. The greater number were
half-breeds, but there were also a large body of Indians, among whom we
found Sigenok's relatives, who received us in the most cordial manner,
and told us that we should be their brothers, that our friends should be
their friends, and our foes their foes. The half-breeds had nearly five
hundred carts, each with a distinguishing flag; and there must have been
even a larger number of hunters, all mounted. Their tents, or lodges,
are formed of dressed buffalo-skins. They are pitched in a large
circle, with the carts outside; and when in a hostile country, with the
animals in the centre, otherwise they feed outside the circle. They
have a captain, and regular officers under him; and a flag hoisted on a
pole in the centre serves as a signal. When hauled down, it is a sign
that the march is to be continued. When the whole body was on the move,
it reminded us of a caravan in the East, with the long line of carts
winding along over the plain, and the horsemen galloping about on either
side.

For several days we travelled on without seeing any buffalo, till one
day, soon after we had camped, notice was brought by the scouts that a
large herd were in the neighbourhood. All was now excitement and
preparation in t