Year: 1870

the shouts and Of the excited Indians RIA
above the roaring OF the bulls the believing OF thd
cows and the piteous moaning OF the Calves
powerful animals crowded together create
cess OF its cruelty and waste OF life bnt with 0ccaI
sional displays OF wonderful brute strength ana
heathen state, shows, both In deed and expresstonj
how little he Is superior TO the noble beasts he sd
wantony and cruelty destroys.


The Red River hunter Is scarcely less wild In his
chase OF the buffalo, and with hs mouth full OF bull.
ets nc dashes Ia among the animals, loading and
skins taken from the dead animals are scraned soft
ened by rubbing them with the brains OF the buralO
and when dry are packed, ten In bale IN the
summer season the skins are comparatively worth
ess; but nearly as many buffaoes are Killed as in
the staple article OF food the plains. The meat ia
cut from the carcass IN long strips, dried In the sun
and then pounded with naiis like those used for
tnrasning grain until II is finely pulverized 1t is
then put into large sacks made of the green bualo
hide. and melted buialo fat poured into and stirred
up Win the meat until 1t becomes thoroughly
mixed. This gets very hard when dry, and is eaten
raw or cooked in various styles. Fine pemmican is
made With considerable attention to choice OF meat
and cleanliness, ana the marrow OF the bones ls
used instead OF the iaow. No article OF food con-
tains nourishment IN proportion to weight and
bulk than pemmican, and a man can carry enough
Of 1t to sustain him on march OF month. 1t is
not very unpleasant at first taste to the fastd
tOus, and little rough life on the plains VIII very
soon give man decided 'hankeriny" for it.





In the sketch thus hurredly given OF the mr
traders occupation and surroundings only the most
prominent features OF the subject be deneated,
leaving II to the imagination OF the reader TO MI up
and color the picture. The branch OF mercantile
pursuit which confines the trader residence OF
series OF years among savageS In the distant widS
OF North America, may appear to some as banish-
ment rather than an appointment OF choice search
OF competency which III a variety or ways fortune
places more less within our reach; yet OF the per-
sons who have spent any portion OF their years In
these regions few are known who do not look back
with mixture OF fond remembrance and regret on
the scenes through which they have passed. prefer
ring the difficulties and dangers OF their er
carious but independent habits TO all the bOasted
luxures ana restraints OF polished society. In the
wilderness they spend a long, active and healthful
wild fowl and FISH, and summer sunshine
blossoms and fruits and winter cheer Ill ~!
o large measure OF content and happiness each
year. In the frequency Of their voyages the
diversity OF landsca.e brings ample food forcontem.
platlOn and delight. The indispensable discharge OF
duties In the tnronged fort bustling camp dOmeS-
tic endearments the making provision for the pass
ing day. the sport OF the gun and fishing tackle with
tha current events among the tribes, furnish un.
bounded variety TO Danish unnapplness and e7a11ut.


not u% rneg ra%De a Ser peas1e
the merry dance or the pastme OF some pleasing
game, the morning ride ana evening strOll on tne
bl0ssomlng prairie and down by the wiliow-frtnged
river. and are everywhere treated with the utmost
Difference and respect. They are the greatest men
In the land, and no desires remain ungrathed. Tie
buildings or the company are neat and c0mmOdious,
each class being provided with separate aDodes.
and receives her due share OF attention
and regard Her presence brightens the solitude OF
maya lonely post, and her tender hand relieves
many pang OF trouble and sickness In the Wilder
ness. Although descended from aboriginal mothers
many Of the females at the different establishments
throughout the Indian country are as Ialr as the
generality Of pure whites, the mixture OF blood
being so many degrees removed from the savage as
hardly to leave any trace, while their dencacy OF
form, their light and nimble movements and their
bright black, sparkling eyes render them objects OF
no ordinary interest and attraction. They mako
considerable progress in culture and refinement.
and acquire much OF the ease and gracefulness OF
fashionable circles.


The traders from their constant intercourse with


ndans do Win u herb n te n
dian country. This, with their favorite beverage,
strong tea, constitutes their chief luxury, and
agrees well with their mode OF life. But
whether it be the change OF food.
habits or climate as the cause, longevity Is seldom
known among them after returning to civilized
society; and very few OF the hundreds who have
retired from the trade during the last half century,
| some with competency and some with moderate
wealth. Shut ont for so many years from the busy
scenes Of HE, the fur trader Is unpfepared for the
wiles OF designing persons, to whose devices he
| easily falls prey;' or perhaps he squanders his
means profusely as to reduce him to penury
! On the other hand, should he be pr0viGent and
saving, having spent most of his life In region
where money Is so little used, and where he lived
and rOamed so long without It, he becomes disguised
with country where nothing can be procured with
out it, and where its influence Is al-powerfnl. The
usages OF refined society have no charms for him. and
he begins to pine and sigh for days gone by never
to return. He fOresees that his wealth must De loi
to persons who had no trouble In acquiring 1t, and
| who will be consequently less scrupulOus IN spend
ing It, and his return TO his carry home soon be.
| comes source Of bitter reflection instead Of
or pleasure. In fine, whether the romantic life Of
the fur trader or the pecunlary prospects which
such career holds out to him are considered, 1t
Will be found from his own experience that the ad-
vantages to be derived from 1t by no means an
adequate COMPENSATION for the hardships and pri-
vations he has to encounter and for the sacrce he
has made In ren0uncng early in life the comforts
and privileges OF his native land.