country; now and then, one would dart up to the tent on horseback, jerk
off his trappings, and stand silently at the door, holding his horse by
the halter, signifying his desire to trade. Occasionally a savage would
stalk in with an invitation to a feast of honor, a dog feast, and
deliberately sit down and wait quietly until I was ready to accompany him.
I went to one; the women and children were sitting outside the lodge, and
we took our seats on buffalo robes spread around. The dog was in a large
pot over the fire, in the middle of the lodge, and immediately on our
arrival was dished up in large wooden bowls, one of which was handed to
each. The flesh appeared very glutinous, with something of the flavor and
appearance of mutton. Feeling something move behind me, I looked round and
found that I had taken my seat among a litter of fat young puppies. Had I
been nice in such matters, the prejudices of civilization might have
interfered with my tranquillity; but, fortunately, I am not of delicate
nerves, and continued quietly to empty my platter.

The weather was cloudy at evening, with a moderate south wind, and the
thermometer at six o'clock 85 deg.. I was disappointed in my hope of obtaining
an observation of an occultation, which took place about midnight. The
moon brought with her heavy banks of clouds, through which she scarcely
made her appearance during the night.

The morning of the 18th was cloudy and calm, the thermometer at six
o'clock at 64 deg.. About nine, with a moderate wind from the west, a storm of
rain came on, accompanied by sharp thunder and lightning, which lasted
about an hour. During the day the expected village arrived, consisting
principally of old men, women, and children. They had a considerable
number of horses, and large troops of dogs. Their lodges were pitched near
the fort, and our camp was constantly crowded with Indians of all sizes,
from morning until night, at which time some of the soldiers generally