The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-11-05

ire compelled to wait until night to travel.
We could reach Caspar by midnight were we
to start now
There is way, perfectly safe, more to
the right, through the hills. 1t is a little
rough, but not more than five miles out of
the direct way. 1t is entirely unknown to
the Sioux
II will risk it, them replied. 1--WE will
start at once"
The guards were called in and we pushed
rapidly on. Brannan was perfect as guide,
never at loss for moment, and seemed to
know the hills and cayons as we'll as / did
then daily wage of So should buy consid-
cradle knowledge.
The hills from Reno to Caspar are certainly
auriferous. Many of them present the
appearance at distance of brick-kilns.
Volcanic cinder is abundant and pumice is
not infrequent. For agricultural purposes
however, it is not worth a cent to the square
mile. What little grass there is is confined
to the margins of creeks and ravines. Game
is abundant in the shape of bears-grizzly
and cinnamon-antelope, elk and deer
Within the hills are Rocky Mountain sheep,
and jaclS-rabbits are as plenty, apparently
as grasshoppers.
There are not many birds in these regions.
We saw an occasional flock of magpies, and
few ravens and crows. Under u ledge that
overhung the channel of Powder river, the
mud martins had built quite number of
clay tenements; but with these exceptions
do not remember ofseeing bird. The hills
were full of pine I observed several veins
of bituminous coal, and Ignite abounded.
Taken as a whole the country is sterile and
uninviting, and being subject to long
droughts, will never tempt either an agricul-
tural or a pastoral people.
At o'clock in the morning we reached
Caspar. The sentinel fired at US as we rode
down the bluffs to the river, installing US for
an enemy, and when we rode onto the parade
| ground we found the little garrison under
arms. However, the commandant was an
old friend, and we felt at home directly. A
good meal, followed by good bed, set me to
rights in few hours. When 1 awoke the
next day found IL letters waiting to be
read. l ordered, too, a remount for my es-
cort, and an extra horse for the letter bag.
| As the shades of evening settled down on
| the Laramie range we watered our horses in
| the Platte and started for the north. La
sharo-pit-koo rode in advance, for an Indian
| needs but to travel over a road once, and
ever thereafter he remembers every crook
and turn in it.
| Nothing of moment occurred on our return
until we struck one of the sources of Powder
river. We were riding along the side of a
hill, when suddenly discovered light in
the valley below, shining through the OPEN
ing in the cedars. called a halt, and after q
short consultation, 1 concluded to find out
what sort of camp the fire indicated. Dis
mounting, and accompanied by the Pawnee
sergeant, we cautiously approached
through the bushes toward the fire
1t proved to be the camp O
a war-party of Sioux, probably bound for the
overland route. Judging by the fires and
ponies tied near them there were about 81
warriors. They were all asleep. not even ;
dog on guard 1t was little damp in tn,
hollow, and a number lay with their heads t.
the fire. 1t was provoking that our order
prevented us from giving them volley; bu
there was nothing for us but to return ant
leave them alone. We reached Fort Rem,
after four days of absence.
The general congratulated me on what h
was pleased to call my diligence. The mai
relieved the tedium of fort building. Ever
old Major Bridges, the celebrated scout, VIII
had never learned his letters, was gald; for
few days his leisure hours were devoted t
admiring two numbers of Harper's Week.,
which l had presented to him. /, myself
was pretty sore with the ride, and for tn
next week did good honest job holding m
blankets down in their proper places on m
bunk.