Rocky Mountain husbandman., 1879-01-02

Peck, tour buffalo came out Of the willows
Just below the boat, and plunged into the
river. They crossed just ahead of us. One
of them was killed, but the boat went flying
past, not daring to stop on account OF shoal
water and crooked channel. Some wood
choppers ran down to the river bank and
begged for ammunition, but we did not
stop. They will probably pick up the dead
buffalo.
Old Fort Peck! Only the skeletons of
the buildings are left. How many bitter
memories does this murderous retreat re-
call. How many venturesome pioneers
have been sent to their eternal home by saw
ages who have obtained their supplies of
arms and ammunition from this hell hole.
Will the cries of the slaughtered men, the
outraged women and butchered babies bear
witness against the traders that have piled
their vlllainons vocation at this post through
the long years of the bloody past, | wonder?
The unwary Montana miner, floating
down the river In a. Mackinaw," was want
to stop at this place to obtain supplies. A
thoughtess display Of the precious dust has
led to the coupling Of band of painted
devils to waylay the hapless party farther
or mother in the far off eastern home walls
in vain for the return of those who are
sleeping forever in the haunts of the Sioux.
Poor fellows! they little thought as they
starved and dug in snow and mud, shelter
iEg themselves in holes in the hillsides, or
little better, in dark log huts, that the hard
earned gold would never gladden. the hearts
of the loved ones far away.
! : That these traders were in league with
the Sioux, furnishing them with supplies of
arms and ammunition and information con-
cerning the movement Of troops, there can
not be doubt. 1t was only on account OF
there usefulness to the hostile Indians that
they were tolerated in the country. The
price of their safety was the blood of their
own race. shs
October 4th.-To-night we are stopping
at deserted woodward about twenty miles
below Milk river. Mr.. Lathrop tells me
that when the boat went up there were a
number of men and sqnaws here. We find
a ''notice" tackled to the door of the cabin
which reads, #
"All persons passing here are requested
not to destroy this cottage"
! (Signed,) JOHN LEWIS,
THOMAS HOWE.
/ Right in front of the cabin door is new
made grave with tiny cross at the head.
The men are busy on shore-some cooking,
others gathering wood or buffalo berries,
others catching cat fish. We have passed
the trout streams long ago,
/ To-day, after the firing at the buffalo as
we wele passing Fort Peck, orders were
issued that there should be no more firing
from the boat. am heartily glad of it, as
the useless slaughter of game in years past
is just what ails this country now.
We have number of prisoners on the
boat, and they are drawn up-or rather
down-for they are seated in two ranks, on
the bow of the boat forward of the capstan.
There is not much room to spare on the
boat, but the best of order prevails. Reveille,
guard mounting. retreat and tattoo occur MS
regularly as though in garrison. Things
run very smoothly, thanks to the excellent
regulations established by Col. Gilbert, and
the kindly disposition of the officers of the
boat. Mr.. Foley, the steward, sets the best
table that have ever found on the upper
Missouri.
On October 5th we ran only seventy miles.
Most of the day was spent getting over
Spread Eagle bar. This famous shoal is
about twenty five miles long, and is dotted