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Show BXJT9AL0 OH THB PLAINS, 86 commenced, travelling trains were frequently detained for hours by immense herds crossing their track, and in such numbers that it was impossible to drive through them. In many instances it was quite difficult to prevent their own loose cattle from mingling with the buffaloes, of which they did not seem to be at all afraid. The eyes of our French voyageurefaiilj glistened as they rode into camp laden with the meat, and their arrival was hailed with a general shout of congratulation* The long- desired spoil was soon divided, and a busy scene ensued of roasting, boiling, and making boudin, which is a sort of sausage, boiled and eaten hot: when skilfully prepared, it forms a most excellent dish. Huge marrow- bones might now be seen roasting moat temptingly byfires madeof lots de vache, and a new spirit seemed to be infused into the entire party by this return to their favourite diet. Although, in such a company, it irould have been rank treason to utter the opinion, yet I eould not help thinking at the time, that the fat of this meat, which our men were devouring with so much gutto, had a somewhat rank and disagreeable flavour; and I must, in truth, confers that I was not a little disappointed by a dish of which I had received such glowing accounts. I found afterward, indeed, that such was the opinion, not only of us green ones, but even of our mountain connoisseurs themselves! although, at the time, they did all they cbuld to persuade us that it was most excellent; for the animal killed was a " bull," whose flesh is eaten only when no other can be obtained, whence the males are very seldom killed when the « cows" can be procured. The rock, where it cropped out in the bluffs, was composed of white or gray sandstone, similar to that previously passed; in some places strata of an ochreous marl were met with, and in one spot, twelve miles above the Forks, a stratum of gypsum. The fossils were in too imperfect a state to be identified. The small sunflower was seen in great abundance, and also bufiUo- grass. Innumerable buffalfl- trailB were crossed, leading from the river through the ra* » vines between the bluffs, to the country beyond, some of which were well beaten, and pressed nearly a foot deep into the soil. Thursday, June 28.- Morning bright and pleasant. Ther. at sunrise, 59°; Bar. 27.18. The day proved fine, notwithstanding the threatening appearance of rain last night, with a cool and refreshing wind from the north. The Boston train, which had kept ahead of us, was seen crossing the South Fork- an operation which they effected apparently without difficulty; hut I preferred |
