CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Objects of a proposed excursion. Primary plans and movements. A Digression.
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Rendezvous for Oregon emigrants and Santa Fe traders. Sensations on a
first visit to the border Prairies. Frontier Indians. 29
CHAPTER II.
Preparations for leaving. Scenes at Camp. Things as they appeared. Simpli- city of mountaineers. Sleep in the open air. Character, habits, and costume of mountaineers. Heterogeneous ingredients of Company. The command- ant En route. Comical exhibition and adventure with a Spanish compa- ny. Grouse. Elm Grove. A storm. Santa Fe traders. Indian battle. 34
CHAPTER III.
The Pottowatomies. Crossing the Wakarousha. Adventure at the Springs. The Caw chief. Kansas river and Indians. Pleading for wldskey. Hick- ory timber. Prairie tea. Scenes at the N. Fork of Blue. Wild honey. Return party. Mountaineers in California. Adventure with a buffalo. In- dian atrocities. Liquor and tiie Fur Trade. Strict guard. High prices. 45
CHAPTER IV.
Country from the frontiers to Big Blue ; its geological character, &c. Novel cure for fever and ague. Indian trails. Game. Large rabbits. Antelope, and their peculiarities. Beaver cuttings. Big Blue and its vicinity. Dangerous country. Pawnee bravery. Night-alarm, (Prairies on fire.) Platte river. Predominant characteristics of the Grand Prairies, and theory explanative of of their phenomenon. Something to laugh at. "Big Jim" and the ante- lope. 54
CHAPTER V.
Deserted camp. Big Jim's third attempt as a hunter. Buffalo and other particu lars. Big Jim lying guard. Butchering. Strange selections. Extraordi- nary eating, and excellence of buffalo meat. Brady's Island. The mur derer's fate. Substitute for wood. A storm. Game in camp. Strange infatuation. Tenacity of buffalo to life, and how to hunt them. Cross S. Fork of Platte. Big Jim's fourth adventure. 63
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