CHAPTER XXIV.
_Plans and prospects--Dick becomes home-sick, and Henri metaphysical--Indians attack the camp--A blow-up._ On the following day the Indians gave themselves up to unlimited feasting, in consequence of the arrival of a large body of hunters with an immense supply of buffalo meat.

It was a regular day of rejoicing.

Upwards of six hundred buffaloes had been killed and as the supply of meat before their arrival had been ample, the camp was now overflowing with plenty.
Feasts were given by the chiefs, and the medicine men went about the camp uttering loud cries, which were meant to express gratitude to the Great Spirit for the bountiful supply of food.

They also carried a portion of meat to the aged and infirm who were unable to hunt for themselves, and had no young men in their family circle to hunt for them.
This arrival of the hunters was a fortunate circumstance, as it put the Indians in great good-humour, and inclined them to hold friendly intercourse with the trappers, who for some time continued to drive a brisk trade in furs.

Having no market for the disposal of their furs, the Indians of course had more than they knew what to do with, and were therefore glad to exchange those of the most beautiful and valuable kind for a mere trifle, so that the trappers laid aside their traps for a time and devoted themselves to traffic.
Meanwhile Joe Blunt and his friends made preparations for their return journey.
"Ye see," remarked Joe to Henri and Dick, as they sat beside the fire in Pee-eye-em's lodge, and feasted on a potful of grasshopper soup, which the great chief's squaw had just placed before them--"ye see, my calc'lations is as follows.