The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-02-09
From the New Orleans Picayunc.


Prairie nnd Mcuntnsn Life.
Spor! in the Ciou1,--F Fun IN The RIi"--tte
BLsca HA.
We made about ten miles on the after
noon Of the Sd OF September, and then
cncamped upon pretty, tmbered creek
beneath gorgeous canopy of illuminated
clouds, that seemed like a scenic reilec-
ton of the vast desert we had been pass
ing over. PROSTATE upon our backs in
the soft grass, and pliowed upon ont sad
dies, we viewed with ntence delight the
magnificent panorama of the skies.
There appeared, among the floating aud
gllded vapors, the very Black Hills
over which we had lust passed-in mid
heaven scared the icy peaks Of Wind
River'-low in the West we saw the
Rad Butts and the isolated lump OF
granite, independence Rock fosied in
solitary majesty above our heads in the
Northern sky. A translucent blue open
ing took the scmblance of 'Stewart's
Lake and the winllngs of the Sweet
water and the Platte shaped themselves
out 10 our fancy as we gazed. 1t were
as II heaven, knowing our thoughts, bent
itself for moment to our desire, and
spread on. for US an Grial map Of the
wild country we went TO visit. We lay
and laughed, exchanged and re-exchang.
ed thoughts, as the sun and clouds seemed
thus to play fairy drama before US. Old
Sol was still plunglng tower in the West,
and the vapors We looked upon suddenly
became enormous masses OF gore. A
tum3lng ocean Of buffalo blood occupied
the evening sky, and with almost ser-
Gus sensation of repentance we thought
Of the many murders we had committed
among the poor bru.es Of the prairie
Imagination even lead US to sensation
Of pain as the rolling masses in the vast
expaHse grew still more fiery red, until
, they seemed to be tongues OF flame hiss
ing DOWN vengeance upon US from the
sky.
The sun made golden set, bu, it did
not loretel fine weather for the next day.
We had just one fortnight Of rain and
drizzle after this date, and it was a sor,
of misery that we got used TO, so that we
could sit in the pluvous atmosphere per-
fec.ly at ease, and laugh at our condition.
One morning, in the very middle Of our
march, and quite out of reach of any de-
cent camping ground, the clouds became
more than usually liberal and abrisk, cold
wind drove the drops with grea, fury in
our faces. The horses and mules very
resolutely persisted in turning their tails
to the storm, and there we found our
selves at halt in the middle of the prai-
RE, for not an animal would move step
further. The rein proved Of no efficacy
against the ram, for our quadrupeds
seemed quite determined 10 bear the pelt.
ing of the storm only with their TANKS
presented 10 it, and thus the whole cavel-
cade turned round in most ludcrous fash.
ion, as II to contemplate the country we
were leaving. 1t was like military
movement, aud the effect was so comicaI
that we did nothing bu, sit still and laugh
a. our own ridiculous condition. Some
looked sour. and many looked solemn
while the murlhful spirits among us were
laughing, for we were all, really, in q
doleful melancholy situation. 1t was SC
droll 10 see ourselves all standing in moo.
dy contemplation in the middle of the
prairie, under furious casligalion of the
elements, with our backs turned to the
point we were most anxious 10 reach. Ii
This position. something tina, Sc, even In,
graver portion of the party laughing, ac
Cured. One Of the vocalis,s, with hi.