The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-03-20


A singular gentleness had come
over this hard man, steeled to human
suffering and woe. He sat at the
breakfast table, silently thinking,
with his antelope steaks and trout
untasted before him. Watching the
softened face / wondered what was
the story. SO l asked:
"Burr, why do you love that white
marew He looked kindly at me, and,
with a sad smile, replied:
Tonight, after the men are in
bed, l will tell you the story. Eat,
my boy, then clear out and fish or
hunt. You will find some fool hens
in the big willow thicket about five
miles below here. i saw them the
other day. Shoot some. Tonight
we will have feast, and will open
my two last bottles of sherry, and we
will talk"
His face hardened. The cold, dead
ly look returned to the gray eye, and
our breakfast was soon finished
Shouldering my rifle, i stepped out
of the stockade and slowly walked
down the valley. On the distant
hillsides antelope grazed; down the
valley before me could see few
deer running for cover to the willows
by the stream. Now and then a
grouse rose before me and flew rap
idly away. Resisting all temptation
to shoot at anything, walked stead
lily on. Climbing hill, sat on
red rock and musingly gazed at the
vast plains to the northeast, at the
foothills of the range, and at the rug
ged, rocky range beyond. ! love the
Rocky Mountains and never tire of
their face. / wasted hours in look
ing and in thinking of the many
tales / had heard of the range. When
the sun was high above me | started
for the willows. There | nearly shot
the heads off of six grouse. Then
jointing light trout pole, l whipped
the clear pools of the south fork of
the Teton, and was soon rewarded
by string of fine half.pound trout.
Then came the pleasant walk back
through the cool, dry air and over
the erispy grass of the North. What
a luxury life was in the valley of the
Teton! / turned my spoils over to
the smiling Indian woman who act
ed as cook for Burr. The rest of the
day J spent on horseback. running
antelope with lot of half-blood Ind
ians. At o'clock supper was served
and eaten. The sherry was brought
out, and scattered on the table a
handful, my lasS, of Rosa Conchas,
that had never paid duty, and as we
sat smoking BUR told me this sto-
ry:
In the fall Of 1868, ! thought it
might be profitable to start trading
post in the Yellowstone Valley.
Learning from the Blackfeet that the
Sioux were camped on the south side
of the river, | determined to ride
over and see what arrangements l
could make with them. / crossed
the Belt Mountains and riding down
the valley, was soon at their camp. i
on the north side of the river, they
on the south. sat on my horse and
hailed the camp.
'No answer.
II could see plenty of Indians
walking around, and again l hailed.
"No answer.
II shouted myself hoarse and the
only notice taken of me was by an
old buck, who walked to the river
bank, looked at me, made an insult
ing gesture, and slowly walked off.
l went there to trade, and having got
angry at the treatment, though l well
knew that ought to leave the val
ley at once, I, like fool, resolved to
cross the stream and brave the dan
GER So fOrded and rode into the
camp. ! spoke to one; no one spoke
to me. The sullen braves turned
their backs on me as l rode up the
street. The young girls looked curl
ously at me. Riding slowly along, l
cooled rapidly. / saw that / was not
wanted, and / fully realized that /
was in danger. l did not dare to
ride to the south, out of the camp,
nor did l have courage enough to at
tempt to recross the river.
Before me stood great tent made
of buffalo skins. 1t was the largest
| had seen. / halted, dismounted,
and stood silently at my horses
head. No one noticed me. Indians
went past me, apparently not seeing
me. At last a young woman came
and stood before me. Looking right
into my eyes she said:
"'What do you wantY
II looked her coldly in the face
and made no reply. Smiling, she
asked:
"sWhat brings you hereT
Steadily / gazed into her eyes and
was voiceless.
'.She left me and disappeared into
the great lodge.
"Soon an Indian warrior, in full
paint, came to me. Speaking Black
foot, he said:
"'Why are you in this campY
ITO him, replied:
esI wish to trade with YOU
@More men came. They took my
horse, and selling hold of my arms
they led me into the great lodge.
Here l was seated and council was