OCR Text |
Show 36 TEAVELS AND ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. this manner, and I think it the most preferable way to cook game. The breast of a fat antelope prepared thus is a most fitting dish for a hungry man. Several kinds of game were brought into camp this evening, buffalo, antelope, and deer, by the Indians, and our most successful gunner, Mr. Fuller, brought in two wild turkeys, three ducks, a rabbit, and a prairie hen, the result of his day's sport. Our cook for the nonce is making a splendid Olla Podrida. This is our first week in camp, and we are living sumptuously- Coffee, tea, and sugar three or four times a day. I have no control of the commissariat department, but I very much fear that we shall want some of the good things which are now being inconsiderately wasted. Our quarter-master is determined to enjoy himself-his motto is "dum vivimus vivamus." While I am writing, I am smoking a pipe filled with " Kinnikinick," the dried leaves of the red sumach; it is pleasant and not intoxicating-a very good substitute for tobacco. The Delawares have been preparing some for their journey. They smoke it mixed with tobacco. My quarter-box of Havanas are all gone, already; they were the only ones in camp, and every time I took out my pouch, I of course handed it round to my companions, which soon diminished my store. I close this letter by giving you a description of an Indian game, which our Delawares participated in last night. A large fire of dried wood is brightly burning-around it sit, cross-legged, all our Delawares ; behind them are the rest of us, standing looking on. I contributed the article (which was a large imitation seal ring, several of which I bought to exchange with the Indians for moccasins) with which they amused themselves. One |