Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-10

earthward, for it still continued to snow. Not
a bright spot cheered the aching eye.
The little platform on which we rested-a
piece of two or three acres-was still free
from the snow-drift, on account of its exposure
TO the wind. Struggling pines, stunted and
ty or sixty trees. From these we obtained
our fires but what were fires when we had
no meat to cook upon them!
We were now in the third day without food
Without food, though not absolutely without
eating-the men had bolted their gun-coyers,
and the cat-skin flaps of their bullet-pouches,
and were now seen-the last shift but one
stripping the partaeche from the soles of their
moccasins
The women, wrapped in their tilnas, nestled
closely in the embrace of father, brother, hus-
band, and lover; for all these affections were
present. The last string of tasajo, hitherto
eoonomized for their sake, had been parcelIed
out TO them in the morning. That was gone,
and whence was their next morsel to comet
At long intervals, 'Ay de mi, Dios de mi alma ?
were heard only in low murmurs, as some
colder blast swept down the canon. In the
face Of those beautiful creatures might be read
that accomplishing patience-that high en-
durance-so characteristic of the Hispano-
Mexican women.
Even the stern men around them bore up
with less forttude. Rude oaths were uttered
from time to time, and teeth ground together,
with that strange wild look that heralds nsan-
ity. Once or twice fancled that | observed
a look of still stranger, still wilder express
sion, when the black ring forms around the
eye-when the muscles twitch and quiver
along gaunt famished jaws-when men gaze
guilty-like at each other. o God it was
fearful The hafrobber discipline, volun-
tary at The best, had vanished under the lew
elling-rod of common suffering, and trem-
bled to think
1t Glars leetle, out tharawa
1t was the trapper, Carey, who had risen
and stood pointing towards the East
In an instant we were all upon our feet,
looking in the direction indicated. Sure
enough, there was break in the lead-col ored
sky-a yellowish streak, that widened out as
we continued gazing-lhe fakes fell lighter
and thinner, and in two hours more it had
ceased showing altogether.
Half-a-dozen of US, shouldering our rifles,
struck down the valley. We would make one
more attempt TO trampe road through the
drift. 1t was vain one. The snow was over
our heads, and after struggling for two hours,
we had not gained above two hundred yards.
Here we caught glimpse of what lay before
us. As far as the eye could reach, it rested
upon the same deep impossible masses. De-
spar and hunger paralyzed cur exertlons, and
dropping off one by one, we returned to the
camp.
We fell down around the fires in sullen ST.
lence. Carey continued pacing back and forth,
now glancing up at the sky, and at times
kneeling down, and running his hand over the
surface OF the snow. At length he approached
the fire, and in his slow drawing manner, re-
marked
It's gwine to friz, rekin.'
sWell and if it does!' asked one of his
comrades, without caring for an answer to the
question.
wal, an iv itsloes,' repeated the trapper,
well walk out o. this hyar jug afore sun-up,
an upon good hard trail too
The expression of every face was changed,
as if by magic. Several leaped to their feet.
Code, the Canadian, skilled in snow-craft, ran
to bank, and drawing his hand along the
combing, shouted back
'C'est rrai; ii gele; IL gele'
| A cold wind soon after set in, and, cheered
by the Frightening prospect, we began to think
of the fires, that during our late moments o.
reckless indifference, had been almost suffered
to burn out The Delawares, seizing theil
tomahawks, commenced hacking at the pines
while others dragged forward the fallen trees
! Topping off their branches with the keen scalp
ing-knife.
At this moment peculiar cry attracted oul
attention, and looking around, we perceived
one of the Indians drop suddenly upon hi:
knees, striking the ground with his hatchet.
what is itl' what is it!' shouted severa
voices, in almost as many languages.
Yan-yanr! ydna-yam." i" replied the Indian
still digging at the frozen ground.
The Indians right: it's nean-root,' sait
Carey, picking up some leaves which the Del
aware had chopped off.
l recognized plant well known to the noun
tain mana rare, but wonderful convolyulus
the Iponca leptophylla. The name of 'man
root is given to it by the hunters from th'
similarity of its root in shape, and semeume
in size, to the body of a man. 1t is esculent
and serves to sustain human life.
In an instant, haIfa-dozen men were upor
their knees, chipping and hacking the hare
clay, but their hatchets ginted off as from tht
surface of rock.
Look hyar!' cried Carey; we're only
spoilin' yer tools. Cut down wheen o these
sapIins and make fire over him y
The hint was instantly followed, and in q
few minutes dozen pieces OF pine were piled
| unon the snot and set on fire.