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Show JoURNAL UF A VOYAGE middle of an immense prairie, knew it was folly to attempt to sl oot them. Wounded several deer, but got none. In fact, I knew I could shoot as many deer as any _body; but neither myself nor company could find one Ill ten, whe1·eas one experienced hunter would get al~. ~ear night struck a lake about five miles long and two nulcs wide. Saw immense droves of elk on both banks. About sun down saw a herd crossing the prairie towards us. We sat down. Two bucks, more curious than the others, came pretty close. I struck one behind the fore should_er ; he did not go more than 20 yards before he fell and died. This was the cause of much exultation, because it fulfilled my determination, and, as we had been two days and nights without victuals, it was very acceptable. 1! ou~d some scrub oak. In about one mile made a fire, and w1th 1nuch labor and pains got our n1eat to it; the wolves feasting on one half while we were carrying_ a\:ar the other. We were now provisioned, but were sull 111 want of water, the snow being all n1clted. Finding n1y drought very exc(l'ssive in the night, I went in search of water, and was much surprised, after having gone about a n1ile, to strike the Mississippi. Filled my hat and returned to my compamon. 4th November, Monday.-Repaired my mockinsons, using a piece of elk's bone as an awl. We both went to the Mississippi and found we were a great distance from the camp. I left Miller to guard the meat and rnarched for camp. llaving strained n1y andes in the swamps, they were extremely sore, and the strings of n1y mockinsons cut them and made them swell considerably. Before I had gone far discovered a herd of 10 elk. Approached within 50 yards and shot one through the body. He fell on the spot ; but rose again and ran off. I pursued him at least five miles~ expecting every minute to see him TO THE SOURCES OF THE 1\IISSI')SJPPI. 4l drop. I then gave hirn up. When I arrived at C!crrr river, a deer was standing on the other bank. I killed hilll on the spot, and while I was taking out the entrails another came up. I shot hi1n al o. 'I'his was my last ball, and then only could I kill ! Left part of my clothes at this place to scare the wolves. Arrived at my camp at dusk, to the great joy of our men, who had been to our lit tic garrjson to enquire for rne, and r eceiving no intelligence, had concluded we were killed by the Indians, having heard them fire on the oppo ite bank. The same night we saw fires on the opposite shore in the prairie ; this was likewise seen in the fort, when all the rnen 1noved in the works. 5tb November, Tucsday.-S nt four of my men with one canoe, loaded with the balance of nine deer, that had been killed, with the other two. \V cnt down the river for my meat Stopped for the deer, which I found safe. Mil. le~ had just started to march home, but returned to camp With us. Found all the meat safe, and brought it to the river, where we pitched our camp. 6th November, T'Vcdncsday.-At the earnest entreaties ~f my men, and with a hope of killing smne more game, I agreed to stay and hunt. W c w nt out and found that all the elk and buffalo had gone down the river fron1 those plains the day before, leaving large roads to point out their cours?. This would not appear extraordinary to persons acquamted with the nature of those animals, as the prairie had unluckily caught fire. After MiJler left the camp for ho_me, Sparks killed two deer , about six miles off, and it bemg ncar the river, I sent the three men down with the cano:, to r eturn early in the morning. It commenced snowmg about midnight, and by morning was six inches deep. l• |
