Their mess-kit, ammunition, bedding, and provisions were carried in two prairie-wagons, each drawn by four horse.

In addition to the teams they had six saddle-animals--all of them shaggy, unkempt mustangs.

Three or four dogs, setters and half-bred greyhounds, trotted along behind the wagons.
Each man took his turn for two days as teamster and cook; and there were always two with the wagons, or camp, as the case might be, while the other six were off hunting, usually in couples.

The expedition was undertaken partly for sport and partly with the hope of profit; for, after purchasing the horses and wagons, none of the party had any money left, and they were forced to rely upon selling skins and hides, and, when near the forts, meat.
They started on January 2nd, and shaped their course for the head-waters of the Salt Fork of the Brazos, the centre of abundance for the great buffalo herds.

During the first few days they were in the outskirts of the settled country, and shot only small game--quail and prairie fowl; then they began to kill turkey, deer, and antelope.