ad followed him in all his
expeditions, and took the greatest delight in describing them to us.

Having remained at Fort Ross a couple of days, to rest our beasts and
prepare the packages for transport, we set out, Sandy and I leading, and
the two men, Pat Casey and Pierre Lacrosse, following in the rear with
the baggage animals.

We travelled at the rate of about twenty-five miles each day. That
distance being accomplished, we encamped at night under shelter of a
grove of poplars or willows, we being glad of the protection they
afforded; for although the weather was fine, the wind had begun to blow
somewhat cold.

Our beasts having been unloaded were hobbled near at hand, the goods
being piled up so as to form a breastwork in case of an attack. Fuel to
last the night had then to be collected, when the fire was lighted, and
the pot put on to boil.

Supper being ready, we sat round our fire to discuss it, with good
appetites. We then, after a chat for half an hour or so, drawing our
buffalo-robes over us, with our saddles for pillows, lay down to rest,
our feet turned towards the fire. One of us, however, always remained
on guard, to watch the horses, and to give warning should any Blackfeet
Indians or prowling wolves draw near our encampment.

We did not believe that we had much to fear from either one or the
other. The Blackfeet seldom ventured so far north into the territory of
their hereditary enemies the Crees; and should any wolves approach, the
horses would be sure to make their way up to the camp for protection.

The two hours watch which each of us took in turn made us sleep the
sounder for the remainder of the time. We were all too well inured to
the sort of life to think it any hardship. Just before dawn the last
man on watch roused up the rest of us. The ashes were raked together,
fresh sticks put on, the water boiled for the tea, and a breakfast of
slices of bacon or dried buffalo meat, with flour cakes, prepared us for
the toils of the day.

The country over which we travelled was seldom traversed by white men.
The grass-covered prairie extended often as far as the eye could reach,
here and there hills rising in the distance, or long lines of trees
marking the course of some stream falling into the main river.

We had to cross several of these streams, but at that time of the year
were able to ford them without difficulty, the drought of summer having
greatly diminished their depth.

Sand