Volume 1

BAD BUSINESS AND WORSE BEVERAGE. 391
no more guns or ammunition were brought forward, and
the Schians were told they must first produce some of their
best horses; but to this they would not listen. After a
few more trifles had been given in on both sides, the business
came to a stand-still on the part of the Schians, who
retired to their tents.
It was about 3 p. m. when affairs thus assumed a gloomy
aspect; harangues were made through the camp by both
parties, evidently not of a very amiable nature; frequent
menaces were made by our party, and the other as often
retorted. The ceremony was totally neglected and everybody
left the spot. The adopted son went sullenly to
his own tent ; horses were collected on both sides ; everyone
was surly and gloomy ; silence reigned throughout the
camp, only broken by the neighing of horses and some few
orations ;
the weather was hot and sultry. Water was only
to be got at some distance, and was very filthy, both rivulets
being dry except in stagnant puddles full of dung and
urine, where hundreds of horses had been drinking and rolling.
The impracticability of procuring any other had
obliged us to use this water; but at this critical moment we
could get none, as we did not think it prudent to separate
from our main body to such a distance. I entered several
tents, but in vain. I saw water in bladders and paunches,
but it was refused me. At one time I caught hold of a
bladder and a ram's horn to satisfy my thirst, but both were
snatched away by one of the women, who were as sulky and
sullen as the men. I was exasperated and choking with
thirst, when I met a woman with a bladder full of this filthy
beverage. Without any ceremony or asking her permission,
as I was certain she would refuse me, I jerked the bladder
out of her hands, cut a hole in it, and took a copious
draught of the contents, which consisted of equal parts of
horse dung, urine, and stagnant water.
The woman made
several unsuccessful attempts to recover the bladder, but
kept hold until my companions were fully satisfied also.
During this affray Le Borgne had been to the center of
I