Volume 1

MRS. HENRY CHANGES HER MIND. 169
where the buffalo are as numerous as on the W., and much
easier to approach in the willows and long grass. My men
have finished hauling in fire-wood, with the assistance of
their dogs only, as we have no horses.
Jan. 24.th. This is delightful weather for the Indian
women to play their favorite game of coullion on the ice ;
they generally keep it up till dark, whilst the men are at
their game of platter, and others beat the drum to their
wabbano songs. Hunting is out of the question now.
Jan. 26th. The Indians threatened to destroy us—Tabashaw
at the head, and Chamanau second in command.
But I soon convinced them that it would prove a tough
bone for them to gnaw. They then made a merit of necessity,
and the ringleaders informed against the others ;
knew them too well to allow them to impose on me.
but I
Jan. joth. I got rid of my bed-fellow, who returned to
her father with a good grace. Fine weather. One of my
men had a narrow escape from being killed by a wounded
bull. The dogs have fine sport chasing the old scabby
bulls that take shelter in the woods, but they are very alert
and active for animals of their bulk, and the dogs cannot
hurt them. I saw one pass to-day with a crow {^Corvus
americanus] perched on his back, pecking his scabs, which
caused him to kick and twist his tail.
Sunday, Feb. ist. I sent two men to Portage la Prairie
with two trains and four dogs, loaded with goods ; sent also
a man to Reed river, with directions for Langlois. The
lady returned. A terrible snowstorm. Stormy weather
causes the buffalo to approach the woods for shelter, and it
no sooner abates than they return to the plain. On the
3d it was very cold ; I went hunting on the E. side. Saw
plenty of buffalo ; killed two cows and one calf. One of
them, a large fat cow, I shot at 125 paces, directly through
the head, with my double-barreled gun. I took only the
tongues and depouilles, and returned after dark. On the
17th we had a terrible snowstorm. I can count daily,
from the top of my oak, from 20 to 30 herds of buffalo