anger is feared, the animals are
kept on the outside. Thus, the carts formed a strong barrier, not only
for securing the people and the beasts of burden within, but as a place
of shelter and defence against an attack of the enemy without.

There is, however, another appendage belonging to the expedition, and to
every expedition of the kind; and you may be assured they are not the
least noisy. We allude to the dogs or camp followers. On the present
occasion they numbered no fewer than 542; sufficient of themselves to
consume no small number of animals a day, for, like their masters, they
dearly relish a bit of buffalo meat.

These animals are kept in summer as they are, about the establishments
of the fur traders, for their services in the winter. In deep snows,
when horses cannot conveniently be used, dogs are very serviceable to
the hunters in these parts. The half-breed, dressed in his wolf costume,
tackles two or three sturdy curs into a flat sled, throws himself on it
at full length, and gets among the buffalo unperceived. Here the bow and
arrow play their part to prevent noise; and here the skillful hunter
kills as many as he pleases, and returns to camp without disturbing the
band.

But now to our camp again--the largest of its kind perhaps in the world.
A council was held for the nomination of chiefs or officers for
conducting the expedition. Two captains were named, the senior on this
occasion being Jean Baptiste Wilkie, an English half-breed brought up
among the French, a man of good sound sense and long experience, and
withal a bold-looking and discreet fellow, a second Nimrod in his way.
Besides being captain, in common with others, he was styled the great
war chief or head of the camp, and on all public occasions he occupied
the place of president.

The hoisting of the flag every morning is the signal for raising camp.
Half an hour is the full time allowed to prepare for the march, but if
anyone is sick, or their animals have strayed, notice is sent to the
guide, who halts until all is made right. From the time the flag is
hoisted however, till the hour of camping arrives, it is never taken
down. The flag taken down is a signal for encamping, while it is up the
guide is chief of the expedition, captains are subject to him, and the
soldiers of the day are his messengers, he commands all. The moment the
flag is lowered his functions cease and the captains and soldiers'
duties commence. They point out the o