[Jpicedt-devel] E then pretended to sleep, and having thus lulled suspic

[Grustas <ina...@re...>]

Dvice of the Indians to abandon the river, and follow a road or trail
leading into the prairies. He soon had cause to regret the change. The
road led across a dreary waste, without verdure; and where there was
neither fountain, nor pool, nor running stream. The men now began to
experience the torments of thirst, aggravated by their diet of dried
fish. The thirst of the Canadian voyageurs became so insupportable as to
drive them to the most revolting means of allaying it. For twenty-five
miles did they toll on across this dismal desert, and laid themselves
down at night, parched and disconsolate, beside their wormwood fires;
looking forward to still greater sufferings on the following day.
Fortunately it began to rain in the night, to their infinite relief; the
water soon collected in puddles and afforded them delicious draughts.
Refreshed in this manner, they resumed their wayfaring as soon as the
first streaks of dawn gave light enough for them to see their path. The
rain continued all day, so that they no longer suffered from thirst, but
hunger took its place, for after travelling thirty-three miles they had
nothing to sup on but a little parched corn. The next day brought them
to the banks of a beautiful little stream, running to the west, and
fringed with groves of cottonwood and willow. On its borders was an
Indian camp, with a great many horses grazing around it. The
inhabitants, too, appeared to be better clad than usual. The scene was
altogether a cheering one to the poor half-famished wanderers. They
hastened to their lodges, but on arriving at them met with a check that
at first dampened their cheerfulness. An Indian immediately laid claim
to the horse of Mr. Hunt, saying that it had been stolen from him. There
was no disproving a fact supported by numerous bystanders, and which the
horse stealing habits of the Indians rendered but too probable; so Mr.
Hunt relinquished his steed to the claimant; not being able to retain
him by a second purchase. At this place they encamped for the night, and
made a sumptuous repast upon fish and a couple of dogs, procu