The Fort--Buffalo steak--"Out of the latitude of bread."
Fort Carlton I found to consist of some dwellings and stores, crowded
together and surrounded by a high palisade, with bastions at its four
corners, and built on a low bench, on the south side of the river.
The high banks of the river, alternating with prairie and woodland,
formed a fine background to the scene. A few buffalo-skin lodges
added a fresh item to my experience, and told me I was now in reality
in the famous buffalo country.
Very soon I had another proof of this, for on going ashore I was told
to run up to the fort, as dinner was now on.
Finding the dining-room, I sat down at the only vacant place, and was
asked by the gentleman at the head of the table if I would have some
buffalo steak. I assented gladly, and enjoyed it heartily. I had
eaten pemmican and dried meat, but this was my first steak, and I
relished it very much. Presently mine host asked me to have some
more, but I thought I had eaten enough meat, and inadvertently I said
to my nearest neighbor, "Will you please pass the bread." This
produced a laugh all around the table, and an old gentleman said to
me, "Young man, you are out of the latitude of bread." And so it
was; for looking down the table, I saw there was no bread, no
vegetables, only buffalo steak. This was an entirely new experience
to me; though born on the frontier I had never until now got beyond
bread. I was sorry I had not taken some more steak, but determined
to be wiser next time.