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On the night of the second day we took possession of our new abode, a little shanty 7 ft high -- 10 ft by 8 -- formed of rough logs and with a roof of bark, at the apex of which was left an open space for the free egress of the smoke. | On the night of the second day we took possession of our new abode, a little shanty 7 ft high -- 10 ft by 8 -- formed of rough logs and with a roof of bark, at the apex of which was left an open space for the free egress of the smoke. | ||
A small square hole, of sufficient size to allow a body to pass, and covered by a deerskin formed the entrance -- and the chinks between the logs were stuffed with moss & clay to keep out the freezing air. Along the whole length of the center, blazed our fire, on each side of which we took up positions. Rifles were stacked in the corners & powder horns and pouches hung on the walls -- along the point of the roof dangled in the smoke, sundry pieces of venison and bear's meat, whilst a large kettle, generally hung supported by a hooked [[ | A small square hole, of sufficient size to allow a body to pass, and covered by a deerskin formed the entrance -- and the chinks between the logs were stuffed with moss & clay to keep out the freezing air. Along the whole length of the center, blazed our fire, on each side of which we took up positions. Rifles were stacked in the corners & powder horns and pouches hung on the walls -- along the point of the roof dangled in the smoke, sundry pieces of venison and bear's meat, whilst a large kettle, generally hung supported by a hooked [[?]], near the fire. Here squatting on soft deerskins and pipe in mouth, we enjoyed ourselves after a long day's hunt. Each one, as the pipe went round, narrating his good or bad fortune during the day; and many a tough yarn was spun by old Biskir (an old Kickapoo) of warpaths & scalp takings done in his youth, when Tecumseh led the Indian warriors both in council and in war. | ||
For several days we hunted with tolerable success -- 3 of the Indians had already left with a parcel of peltries, for the settlements; and the others, who happened to have been less successful, only waited to complete a certain number of skins, before they likewise returned either to Detroit or some other town to dispose of the produce of their hunt. | For several days we hunted with tolerable success -- 3 of the Indians had already left with a parcel of peltries, for the settlements; and the others, who happened to have been less successful, only waited to complete a certain number of skins, before they likewise returned either to Detroit or some other town to dispose of the produce of their hunt. | ||
Latest revision as of 03:50, 25 October 2022
2 On the night of the second day we took possession of our new abode, a little shanty 7 ft high -- 10 ft by 8 -- formed of rough logs and with a roof of bark, at the apex of which was left an open space for the free egress of the smoke.
A small square hole, of sufficient size to allow a body to pass, and covered by a deerskin formed the entrance -- and the chinks between the logs were stuffed with moss & clay to keep out the freezing air. Along the whole length of the center, blazed our fire, on each side of which we took up positions. Rifles were stacked in the corners & powder horns and pouches hung on the walls -- along the point of the roof dangled in the smoke, sundry pieces of venison and bear's meat, whilst a large kettle, generally hung supported by a hooked ?, near the fire. Here squatting on soft deerskins and pipe in mouth, we enjoyed ourselves after a long day's hunt. Each one, as the pipe went round, narrating his good or bad fortune during the day; and many a tough yarn was spun by old Biskir (an old Kickapoo) of warpaths & scalp takings done in his youth, when Tecumseh led the Indian warriors both in council and in war.
For several days we hunted with tolerable success -- 3 of the Indians had already left with a parcel of peltries, for the settlements; and the others, who happened to have been less successful, only waited to complete a certain number of skins, before they likewise returned either to Detroit or some other town to dispose of the produce of their hunt.
However the first fall of snow had already disappeared from the ground. An intense frost had succeeded, which rendered the ground impracticable for hunting. We were unable to find deer or other game and our stack of provisions was reduced to a pound or two of pemmican. This at last was consumed and day after day, we returned at dark to the camp after an unsuccessful hunt, with perhaps a single squirrel or an owl for all the party. We were becoming gaunt from want of food and weak to boot, which determined the Indians no longer to protract their stay at the camp, but make the best of their way to an Indian Settlement distant about 45 or 50 miles.
One morning at daybreak we issued from our shanty gaunt &