The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-15


at length he euded the search Of the "Damtes.
and made good his retreat TO this post leaving all his
improvements, with large stock OF cattle, IN inc
hands OF the Mormons who have held possession OF
them ever since, but have. as understand, onereo
TO remunerate him.
From Fort Laramie he returned to the States for
the first time in thirtyone years and iad ms grew
ances before the authorities At Washington, but up
10 the present time has not been redressed.
These transactions, as may be supposed, have en-
gendered in his mind feeling towards the SAINTS
not in strict accordance with that command which
requires Ms 80 do good TO them that persecnte us and
il is believed that he will not offer up many petitions
in behalf Of peace between them and our army. In
deed, those who know him best think that
would be more in accordance with an answer to his
suppFcatioDs
Bridger has been employed for nearly two years
with that great Irish sportsman Sir George Gore,
whose hunting adventures in the Rocky Mountains,
conducted as they upon gigantic scale for the
amusement OF one man, probably exceeded anything
Of the kind ever before attempted this side the
Atlantic. Everything that a sportsman could pos
sbly require in the way OF shooting, fishing eating
and drinking provided in the greatest profnslon,
and all transported IN safety TO the theatre OF his
exploits.
Some faint idea may be formed of the magnitude of
his equipment, when tell you that his extensive
retnue contained secretary, assistant secretary,
clerk, guide, fly maker, hunters cooks, &c &C. IN
all, numbering ab0ut fifty men, with thirty wagons,
numerous saddle horses, dogs, &c. and supplies to
correspond. Sir George remained nearly three years
in this country and, with the exception OF one win
tlG, which he spent near fort Laramie WAS en-
trely secluded from the world and most assidnously
engaged in his fsveriie sport of hunting. An accu-
rate account Of the amount OF game "bagged" was
kept by his clerk and during one season the results
were follows :-l22 grizzly bears, $500 bulialoes;
besides numerous elk black tailed deer and antelope
in all amounting To the enormous aggregate of
$500 animals, none of which were smaller than the
antelope
had the pleasure of meeting this modern Nimrod
in St Louis, and was highly entertained with mar
ration of some of his exploits which almost equal
those of Gordon Cumming in Africa.
He also showed me his equipment of beautiful guns
of various patterns and cabres, suited to the de-
struction of all kinds OF game, from an English snpe
to giisly bear and among them observed the
names Of Purdv. Mant0n and other celebrated ma
kers. His outfit must indeed have been most COM
plete.
AFTER becoming cioyed with sport in the noun
tains, and killing every variety OF the largest and
most formidable animals found there. Sir George
proposes to winter in Texas, and arnuse himself in
hunting deer and other small game.
He brings with him host of trophies, which will
furnish hun with ample vouchers for his perform
anceS.
Bridger pronounces him social and agreeable
companion. a fearless and successful hunter, and
brave man, which are in his estimation accomplish
ments OF the highest order H also says Sir George
was in the habit. dur tho long winter evenings
they spent in the mount e. reading to him from
Shakesperc and other iar.rltr authors, and asking
his opinion upon their respective merits. He says
he had never before been bothered with books, but
that he always gave his sentiments freely when
asked; and his criticisms, although not character
lied by those excorating dissectons so common
with unpaid reviewers certainly possessed the merit
OF being entirely free from all faint of modern con-
yentionalities or the hope OF reward. He did not
perhaps, have at command the most appropriate
language but his opinions were given with blunt
and honest sincerity which others would do well TO
copy.
count of the battle OF Waterloo, he inquired of
Bridger what his opinion in regard to il. He re-
Piled That must been constable Of a skrim-
mage: dogon my skin If it musn' t.-the Britishers
must ct better In them thar days than they did at
Orleans. Ii tux boys to lick UNI Mister Gore. and
ef we git into another with you can jest go
your entire pile il wei do It again; you'll have
sure thing on um Mister Gore
Some OF your worthy and staid citizens of Gotham
will probably think il very singular nfdtuatiOn for
a nobleman possessing princeiy estate, with an in
come Of s20O000 per annum, TO voluntarily with
draw from all society and ncarcerate himself in the
depths OF the wilderness among savage men and
beasts for three long years exposed to all the pers
and prvations consequent upon such condition; but
assure these same persons that Sir George Gore re-
uuires no sympathy as he is one of those men who
derive more real substantial pleasure from one days
successful shooting than can possibly be imagined by
those who leave the cities. Besides this, he
returns home with renovated constitution, good
health and spirits, and prolonged lease to his life OF
several years. and has seen something OF the world
out Of the ordinary humdrum track of other tourists
Immediately after passing Fort Laramie the coun.
try ~ ii by magic, undcrg0es sudden transiorma-
ton in it, typographical aspect.
We have left the fat and never varying plains,
and entered a section Astounding IN scenery OF the
most picturesque character. The BLACK Hills"
and other spurs Of the Rocky Mountains with their
corrugated outlines confront us in bold relief
against the western sky. and we find ourselves a.
cending towards the summit level OF the Atlantic
and Pacic VI the rapid rate of about twenty feet TO
the mile.
The Platte river contracts and finds it, tortuous and
rarid course through canons in the mountains that
have been Glen asundcr at some former period, appa
rertly for 10 other purpose but TO admit its passage
The bold e-carpments of rock rising 10 the enormous
height Of several hundred feet, iupinge upon the
river and the broad bottom lands with their luxu-
nous carpet Of grass are no longer seen. but
superseded by bleak and barren highlands almost
entirely destitute of any heritage save the artemcsa
and the short buffalo grass" which afford but
scanty pasturage for our numerous animals.
We have also passed the range oi the buffalo and
are now in "A country frequented by the grizzly
bear. elk and cimeron, or mountain sheep. The last
named animal is perhaps less known than any
other embraced in the natural history Of our terri
tory Like the domestic sheep, II Is gregarious; but
in IL habits and figure more resembles the goat
when full grown, weighs about 200 pounds, and
supports an enormous pair OF horns which some
times weigh high as forty pounds. It's flesh is
tender, juicy and fine favored, and Is probably
shout the only alimcnt Of the game Kind that has
not vet been served up to your luxurious New
Yorker.
The aroma given of from the fat ribs OF the
mountain sheep while roasting before camp fires
h sufficient 70 tempt the appetite Of the most las
tdiOus Con Uiranf N existence and ~ IL generously
difiu-cs t-elf throughout the surrounding atmos-
phcrc, who knows but what some minute particles
may Goat towards your good city and invade the
nasals II your epicures. II such event should
happen ard they be taken with violent longing
for this Dish the flavor Of which Soyer in his hap
piest ulOod never dreamed Of, please tell them with
my compliments, that / fear they must wait pa
tently until the completion Of the Pacific railway
and Il hy that time the disease does not become
chronic shall be most happy 20 dispatch them
saddle by the first return train from tho South Pass.
We have no mails yet, and shall have 70 en-
trust this letter TO the hrst traveller chance 10
meet hoping i may reach its destination in due
Courfe ~ time.
+ :. have just this momen, had glance at the
Mormon paper, the Deseef Ners, Of the 18th An