Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/213

197 camped for the winter. Our encampment was in a grove of cotton wood, and willows, and we formed as comfortable huts as possible. Mr. Pardo and myself built one for our own accommodation, with one adjoining for our horses.

On the 3d of November, the buffaloes descended from the mountains in vast droves. The plains were covered with them and with elk. The Indians hunt the buffaloe on horse back, with a bow and a short spear. They ride as near as possible to the gang, and discharge their arrows, while the animals are fighting their dogs. A wounded buffaloe, if he does not fall, frequently turns upon the hunter, who depends upon the dexterity of his horse, which has been v trained up to the business, for his escape. He then discharges more arrows, and dispatches the animal with his spear. These hunts are attended with considerable danger, and sometimes with the loss of both horse and rider. The country in which we were encamped is level to the south, but to the north and west the mountains are in sight, with steep ridges, approaching the river; and to the east is a large mountain, entirely insulated from the Rocky mountains, called the Turtle. This mountain, with the country round it, is covered with timber. Large bands of Indians encamp near it, during the winter for the conveniency of wood. In some places, wood is so scarce that they perish with cold, for want of it. 17*