There is an old saying that many a kind heart beats behind a ragged coat . The Indians had no coats for their hearts to beat behind -- nothing but shirts -- some of them had n't even shirts ! But the shirts were certainly ragged enough , and their hearts were kind . Those Indians were gentlemen . They came forward and unhitched our horses , fed , and watered them ; they pitched our tent , and built us a fire , and cut brush for our beds . Kate and I had simply nothing to do except sit on our rugs and tell them what we wanted done . They would have cooked our supper for us if we had allowed it . But , tired as we were , we drew the line at that . Their hearts were pure gold , but their hands ! No , Kate and I dragged ourselves up and cooked our own suppers . And while we ate it , those Indians fell to and cleaned all the mud off our democrat for us . To crown all -- it is almost unbelievable but it is true , I solemnly avow -- they would n't take a cent of payment for it all , urge them as we might and did . `` Well , '' said Kate , as we curled up on our brush beds that night , `` there certainly is a special Providence for unprotected females . I 'd forgive Peter Crow for deserting us for the sake of those Indians , if he had n't stolen our lovely ham into the bargain . That was altogether unpardonable . '' In the morning the Indians broke camp for us and harnessed our shaganappies . We drove off , waving our hands to them , the delightful creatures . We never saw any of them again . I fear their kind is scarce , but as long as I live I shall remember those Stoneys with gratitude . We got on fairly well that third day , and made about fifteen miles before dinner time .
We XXXXX three of the sergeant 's prairie chickens for dinner , and enjoyed them .
ate avow fell harnessed pitched remember saw take urge watered