CHAPTER XXXII.
Scanty Fare .-- A Mendicant Snake .-- Embarkation on Henry River--Joy of the Voyageurs.-Arrival at Snake River .-- Rapids and Breakers .-- Beginning of Misfortunes .-- Snake Encampments .-- Parley With a Savage .-- A Second Disaster .-- Loss of a Boatman .-- The Caldron Linn.
WHILE the canoes were in preparation, the hunters ranged about the neighborhood, but with little success.

Tracks of buffaloes were to be seen in all directions, but none of a fresh date.

There were some elk, but extremely wild; two only were killed.

Antelopes were likewise seen, but too shy and fleet to be approached.

A few beavers were taken every night, and salmon trout of a small size, so that the camp had principally to subsist upon dried buffalo meat.
On the 14th, a poor, half-naked Snake Indian, one of that forlorn caste called the Shuckers, or Diggers, made his appearance at the camp.