marks for his gun, and not long subsequently a mule and an ox belonging to us fell to appease his insulted dignity.
However, the chef d'ouvre of his rascality was exhibited in stealing our whole cavallard,15 consisting of ten head of horses and mules, which he drove into the mountains. We were compelled to give a quantity of liquor and ammunition, two blankets, and several other articles before we could secure their return.
From the movement of things, he was evidently instigated by the American Fur Company traders to do us all the mischief in his power. Certain it is, he was their regular "soldier," and received from them numerous presents in consideration of his good conduct.
14 This expression implies the bestowment of anything as a free gift. It is also used to denote a random way of speaking with regard to truth.
15 This is a mountain phrase of Spanish origin, (cavellardo,) and means a band of horses or mules.
The employees of this company are frequently guilty of such disgraceful conduct. In connection with this conclusion I might cite instance upon instance, and string out a volume of proof, were it necessary.
Soon after Christmas we commenced erecting our chimney. The materials for it were procured from an adjoining bank. While engaged in quarrying them, the operator came to a crevice filled with a strange fleshy substance, coiled together like the folds of a huge rope. "Hallo!" cried he, with astonishment, "here's the Devil, himself!"
The extraordinary announcement brought all hands to the spot to get a peep at " Old Nick," and the Indians, also, witnessing —the unusual commotion, came hurrying up to learn its cause.
The result proved, that, if not the Devil, it was his great prototype, —it was that "Old Serpent," with all his progeny.
By means of a stick, thirty-six large snakes were exposed to view, some of them six feet in length. They were in a torpid state, the result of the severe cold of winter.
Having drawn them out, one by one, it was proposed to treat them to a warm bath. Accordingly, after placing them in a hole for the purpose, a kettle of scalding water was thrown upon them. The vivifying effects of this unwonted application restored them to a sudden animation, when, wriggling and twisting for a few moments in all the contortions of agony, they at last tacitly curled up and expired.
The Indians were much shocked on seeing this, and expressed their astonishment at our reckless presumption by their deeply accented "tula," —turning away from the spot with evident emotions of terror.
On inquiring the cause, I learned in answer, that the various Indian tribes in the vicinity of the mountains are accustomed to regard the snake with a kind of superstitious veneration, and consider the act of killing it a sure harbinger of calamity. In the observance of this singular notion, they are scrupulously exact; —but, in despite of repeated inquiries, I have been unable to obtain the reasons upon which the whim is based.
These tribes cherish many religious tenets, rites, and customs, —some general and others peculiar only to individuals.
