The Montana post., 1868-09-11

A correspondent-Noah Heep he calls
himself-relates how his poetic ideas OF
the mountaineer. the "child of nature,
the fearless man of adventure, were
changed, aud draws the following life
like picture
stood, one warm day, at the door
of one of our fashionable hotels in Mon
tnna, looking despairingly into the
depths of an empty glass. 1t had just
occurred to ME that il might not be inn
prudent to cause my glass to be filled
again, when beheld at a short distance
a very thin pony, or "cayuse," coming
down the road at furious pace, accom>
panied by several crows who hovered
over him. viewing his frame with a
hungry leer, and looking knowingly at
each other. Seated upon the back of
this pony was a man-the man halloed
and swore aloud, and waived his arms
frantically. He wore large spurs with
which he lifted the pony bodily off the
ground, and urged him to- greater speed.
This strange "outfit" came, like the
wind, directly towards me and stopped
so suddenly that the horses hoofs tore
up the ground at my feet. Throwing the
bride carelessly on the animals neck,
a straw and commenced TO pick his
teeth very deliberately, taking no more
notice of me than if L had been hitch
ing post. l wondered what had hap
pened TO cause him to ride so recklessly,
and was prepared to hear some start
ling news. Some one might be sick, an
accident, or perhaps a murder had been
committed Determined to know more,
| viewed him closely as he stood looking
at his horse and noticed that he was a
tall well built man, with long sandy
hair, light eyes and peaked nose he
was coatless, but instead, wore heavy
hunting shirt of buckskin. his leggings
were of the same material and neatly
trimmed. and in belt about his waist
were two large pistols and a knife. OF
course he wore spurs, which jingled
loudly with every motion. Finally he
seemed TO be aware that some one was
staring at him. and turned to me with n
frown, saying
How are your
l will confess that was somewhat
confused and nervous, because, you
must know, / was young. and this being
my first introduction in the mountains
il was natural that l should be some
what confused and nervous before such
I
meant to be very cheerful and conciIia.
tory, / answered,
Pretty well, thank you. sir"
Drink 2" said he, and started into
the house, WHITTIER l followed, feeling
very uncomfortable, and / actually
reeled as the thought struck me that /
might be in the presence of q noun
taineer of whose powers had learned
to entertain such high regard. He,
was certain, felt his superiority, physi-
cally, mentally, and morally, and gazed
on me in blood-thirsty and defiant
manner, as though he expected and
dared me TO oppose him, which was
not at all disposed to do. On the con
trary L was fearful he might consider il
personal insult If continued to exist.
He kicked over a center-table, threw a
chair at the bar-keeper. stared me out
of couhtenance, and yelled
Whbkeyig which, being forthcom-
ing. we dunk in silence. Our glasses
being filed again, at my suggestion. he
| asked
% From the states9-'
les. sir" i replied, apologetically.
Missouri q says he. I .-
New York" answered l. sit
The whiskey seemed to make him feel
better, so he suggested another drink,
which dared not refuse. We drank,
/ and my new friend became communities
tive. Tapping me on the shoulder he
said. ,I
] am a old man waiting a mo-
ment 20 sec Il presumed TO dlspots il.
he proceeded-~y you are young. I've
been In these mountings since forty