Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-21
Weste,w Correspondence.
GREELEY. CoboRADo.
$50 April 6, 1874.

! was written from the Elk Horn country,
on the ere of q hunting expedition. We
were calculating TO do great things. Tor
we meant TO 90 where we hoped no hunter
had yet penetrated. and consequently
where the game was unsecured. In fact,
wo meant TO 20 two or three days jour
ney into the noun ain wilderness-even
into the dense black timber and nearly to
The verge of perpetual snow. We didn't
say much about it, but We secretly vowed
that we would diligently seek for the
wary mountain sheep in his craggy
haunts; We would track the shy elk in
the black timber; and. perhaps we might
have the good fortune 10 shoot the almost
mythical mountain Iona beast so pow.
erlu! that it can kill The largest deer and
take it away without dragging it.
Well. it was arrenged that Ed. and l
should 20 hunting together. Ed. was n
young man who was born in Georgia.
had fought with tho rebs when only
fifteen, and had somehow drilted into the
Rocky Mountains. The first day was
spent in finding the ponies upon their
''unlimited range" But we found them
at last and early next morning. with
repeating rifles, two bundles OF blankets.
bag OF biscuit, lump OF bacon. fry.
in 90 Dn
the dog, started out.
Up hill and down we went, no " through
n sparsoly limbcred counIry-no. across
great, grassy fats, starting up bands OF
Texas cattle from this their winter pas
turc. Now it WAS winter and deep snow
on the northern slopes. now summer and
bare ground in the sheltered hooks. Al
noon VIC crossed tho PondEe on the ice.
and then real climbin. commenced
Toiling and sweating We led The sure
footed ponies along the steep mountain
side, where, if the animals were 10 fall
they would have rolled a long way down
in very uncomfortable mnpner.
We were now In region where cattle
had never yet been, but old elk horns
were scattered along each side oil our
trail. and deer tracks were TO be seen at
every step. Occasionally great black
eagle scared on, from The peaks above us,
and from time 10 time we started up the
little pony rabbit.
For some time could not Imagine how
Ed. kept the trail. for could see no signs
Of il myself. lie babe mo look behind
me, aud then saw that the trees were
bazed. so that one who knew il could
find his way ont when no wished TO DO so.
Ed. said this was the trail oil noted out.
law and horse.th thief named MusgrOve.
Tint this trail lei 10 beautiful grassy
park. far away. toward tho snowy range.
This park is known as the garden OF
Eden, and in it Mu'grovc ,tcyoted num-
beers of stolen horses. until search was
abandoned, whoa he took thCm ont and
sold them.
Toward night We camc to little hut,
about the size of dog kennel Il was
covered with long grasses and stones and
brush. There was spring close by, also
plenty Of wood. We pickeled the ponies.
made up good fire at the entrance OF
the hut. cooked supper and went to bod.
While we were eating supper. Ell dropped
oil the cover Of our pcpper.boX and COM
pletely covered his well beloved bacon fat
with the pepper. Then he made some
remarks about the subject which he after
ward informed mo was what no called
swearing Storm" II | am any Judge
he allerwnrd sworc hurricane | studied
him well, aud believe he was The greatest
medley oil impeluosity and cIlmness |
ever saw. thought we were almost out
OF the world. but within = few yards OF
the hut an irrcpressiblo somebody had
already cut four logs Ior the foundation
oil house and it is probable that herd
OF cattle will sooa DO taken in there.
Who wouldn't be Rocky Mountain
huntcl7 For days We pursued the ever
fleeing deer. Oar clothes were torn, and
boots were threatening to part company
with our feet, SO sharp were The rocks we
climbed. We tracked the mountain
sheep. but like most hunters we mover
saw them. The same WAS true of elk.
Every morning Ed. would say he would
that day bring down "wild babboou,"
but the fact was, score of deer had re.
Gently been shot where We were hunting
The game was both scarce and wild.
About noon ono day Ell. caught sight OF
a band of black tails in the distance.
They were certainly two or three hundred
yards away. Taking sure aim At buck
nc blazed away. in 4 moment the whole
band was in full retreat, but the buck
limped somewhat. The ballet had pass.
ed through his lungs, and blood spurted
from his wound at every bound, but
still it ran at least Two hundred yards
before it sank down upon the snow.
That night we hal fried liver for sup.
per. 1t was liitlo cold after shutdown,
and ice formed upon the spring an inch
deep. thought would not like 10 be
hunter by profession, especially when
the wind began to below among the
mountain passes, and the dreaded mo un-
tain lion, doubtless attracted by the blood