The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-11-22

Skootiag--IadiaH SigHal- ns-Trap-
ping a Coyote
After night Of most refreshing sleep,
we awoke to find the suns long arrows
touching the hiII-tops far away over the
course Of our previous journey; this, too,
with the rosy loek Of the sky in that direc-
ton showed the storm had passed. So
throwing of the tent with its glistening
white eOver, and the underlying robes and
blankets, We emerged from our resting
place and began collecting fuel for our FIRE,
which was soon blazing. To feed the
mules, horses, and ourselves, was the next
thought and one which was speedily at
tended to, for cooking among bufalo-hun-
tiers, though seldom good, is always quick,
and the result was that in about an hour
time from our awakening We had break
tasted, fed the stock, hitehed up, and we're
en- route.
Descending TO the valley from our posi-
ton among the hills, We struck the tail
and began following it west again, along
the course of the winding Republican,
which We could see fading away till its
tortnous blue line was lost in the distance
The winter sky was clear, 50 letting the
mules take their own gait, we had abund-
ant leisure to note the type of country
through which we passed.
The river. only about sesenty-fve yards
in width, with water somewhat muddy at
this season, was nevertheless good and Of
fered pleasing prospect, which win be
readily understood BY those who have seen
mile after mile Of desert waste pass without
a single drop Of the element The very
animals seemed to feel the danger of ex-
IRENE thirst gone, and moved along with
a quicker step and more contented APP
pearanee; few quadrupeds are more intel
ligent than a Mexican mule, or better
calculated to provide for themselves in
trying situations, and those in our train
were no exception TO the general rule. So
We journeyed, an interval of about Fifty
yards being preserved between the teams,
near enough to park in case Of danger, but
not 50 close as to impede each other in
the event ola dificuls crossing, which now
and then we encountered.
The scenery along the Republican, he
tweenits course and the eastern portion Of
the stream, is not especially interesting. A
low range Of hills surmounts its northern
bank, breaking up into rasines and be-
coming more rugged the further west they
extend. The south bank is mainly marked
BY sand-hills, which mingle with the coarse
gravel Of the river or extend in long ridges
back into the Plains, till lost among its
broken surfaces. These grav-
ely ridges offer rich field to the mineral
ogist. the specimens Of agate, cornelian,
etc, being quite numerous Even in
passing through them as quickly as we
did. and having little or no knowledge Of
such matters, made quite collection of
pebbles, some Of which we're very beauti-
fal, even in their rough state. Upon the
north bank the yellow buffalo grass ex-
tends far and vide, the surface of the
ground furoHed by numerous raTines
near the river, with limestone boulders
scattered along their beds Afew stunted
irees, probably cottonwood, appeared at
Intervals, bearing on their tops an occz-
'ional Indian brave sent upon the long
Quincy BY his tribe, and provided with
u the articles be was supposed to require.
They we're simply placed lengthwise upon
light wooden frame, lashed in that posi-
ion with buekskin thongs. There they
~, as if stretched in repose, with no
movement save when the wind rocked
heir frail resting place or stirred among
be blanket fringe On every side stretch |
4 the sweeping Plains-their hunting |
=