The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-08-19

come in; but they were sulky and dlspo-
sed to fight, although not strong enough
to dare any thing of the kind. Up to this
time he knew nothing of the murder of
Lit. Hull's party. The other men who
were missing. as have since been infor-
med, never came in, and were undoubtedly
killed by the Indians.
Double file and in close order we left
the camp on the Arroyo Quin,uiue, the
engineer of the expedition, Mr.. Hunt, Ia
king the guidance. A brisk trot of two
hours brought us 10 the foot of the noun
tains, and here, after choosing strong
position we encamped for the night.-No
water was found, but as we had filled our
gourds and canteens previous to starting
we did not suffer.
The next morning, after travelling a
mile or two along the foot of the high
range, We discovered what seemed to be
an Indian trail, leading in zigzag course
up the side. This we followed and to-
wards noon we found ourselves at the
summit of the mountains. Here we were
again gratified on finding spread out be-
fore us 4 perfectly level prairie, extending
as far as the eye could reach, and without
a tree TO break the dull monotony of the
scene. We halted few minutes to rest
our horses, and occupied the time survey
ing the calm and beautiful valley lying
distance of some fifteen hundred or two
thousand feet below us.
1t was n lovely scene, and TO look at it
from tho point where we stood | could
hardly believe that but few hours previ-
Gus horrible tragedy had been enacted
there. Soiiened down by the distance
there was tranquility about it which APP
peared never to have been broken. The
deep green skirtngs of the different water
courses relieved the eye as it fell upon the
vast plain. The silver waters Of the
Quintulue, now reduced to a mere thread,
were occasionally broughtto view as some
turn of the stream threw them in line with
us, and again they were lost to the sight
under the rich foliage of the banks. The
white tops of our Wagons showed the
present cncampment OF our main body,
while the small black spots around gave
US the pleasing assurance that the cattle
and horses were stll there and that the
camp had been unmolested. In other
parts of the valley, too, small moving
specks were seen-muslangs perhaps, or
else our Indian enemies proving about
but other than these no living object met
our gaze. Almost the entire valley was
boarded by the yawning chasms that had
impeded the progress Of our Wagons,
now brought more plainly 10 view by the
elevation upon which we stood, and the
whole scene forcibly reminded me of one
of Salvador Rosa's beautiful landscapes,
framed with rough, gnarled and unfinished
oak.
Having risen this large step towards
the high table land which forms the base
of the Rocky Mountains, and after resting
our horses which were much ialigued by
the steep and PERCEPTIONS ascent, we again
journeyed on in a northwest course. A
large bear was shortly seen within mile
of us, and Maj. Howard started out to run
him down. Having got upon the other
side of the animal the Major was driving
him directly towards us. Cooking a pis-
tol rode out short distance to meet
him, and while in the act Of taking dellbe-
rate aim at the bear, then not more than
eight yards from me, | was surprised TO
see him turn a somerset and commence
kicking with his hind legs. Unseen 10y
me one Of our Mexican servants had crept
up close on the opposite side OF my horse,
and had noosed the animal with a iariat
lust as | was pulling the trigger of my
pistol. Bruln soon loosed himself from
his fastenings, and while running down
the line was shot.
We travelled on at brisk pace until
nearly night, when our progress was sud
denly checked by a yawning ravine or
abyss, some two or three hundred yards
across and probably a thousand feet in
depth. The banks at this place were
nearly perpendicular, and from out the
sides projected jagged rocks and dry,
stunlcd cedars. A few of the latter were
also found OIL the edge Of the awful gulf.
We travelled mile or two along the
banks, but finding it impossible to find a
crossing we encamped in a little hollow
among some dry cedars. Here, finding
a large portion of our badly cured meat
was spelling, we cooked what could be
} eaten and threw much Of il away.
Frank Combs and myself located that
mint In n lillle sandy rillly fnIIncd by the