The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-03-18
winter Travelling In Colorado.

The train discharges Its freight into
dozen coaches, which Get OF for the
mountain pass that lies between Norton
and Leadville; they rattle of through
the whirling SHOWS toward the range Of
mountains, which Ii already thick with
storms. Our own way lies across the
South Park toward lower part of the
Arkansas valley; tor ten miles the four
horses hurry the light open wagon over
binding snow that flies before the blasts
rushing down from the mountaiI ra-
vines. Then we find our way upon the
regular freiRhting road that leads In q
devious course through the mountain
gorges to Leadville. It ID . way for
which little has been done except BY the
wheels Of the endless trains of wagons;
but nature meant this land for roads
the scant foliage and slight rainfall
leave each of tho rav.nes natural
road, and the frost has now bound mud
and stones gether. Every mile of this
trail is occupied by q long caravan
Of the freighting teams that carry
In provisions and take out bul-
lion. The ordinary train consists OF
many teams. each composed of two
wagons, the hinder one being without
a tongue, and the two coupled together
as closely as two railway cars. Some
times there are three wagons In the
string. Eight or Len mules and q single
driver supply the motive power. With
drag about 10000 pounds OF freight at
the rate Of twenty-five miles day.
Some OF these trains are individual ven
lures, but commonly dozen terms are
under one wagon master, who fixes the
marches and determines the places
where the train shall halt to pass the
tides OF wagons that set the Other way.
These caravans give US the most pic
turesque aspects of this mount-ia life;
the drivers are q strange selection from
the vigorous frontiermep.
The labor is extremely arduous and
the life of the Indest, but the profits are
very large. many Of these teams earning
from $50 to $50 per day net for hall
year at a time. The men live and gener.
ally sleep with their animals, even in
the fierce cold. They are silent, inde-
fatigable fellows. brutal in every ont
ward aspect, yet withal singularly pa
tient with their difficulties and helpful
Of each other, unless the other il q
"greaser." A courteous word or two
through the perplexing blockade, where
trains going in opposite directions meet
on narrow defile. Their life Is one oi
trials. We are rarely ont Of sight OF dead
horses or mules which have broken
their legs or died OF overwork, and every
precipice along the road shows the wreck
Of wagons that have slipped over the
edge into the gorge below. In 200 miles
travel with them did not hear brutal
word from one man to another, and
was indebted to them for many consid-
crate acts. They are marvelousiy pro-
fame lot, but their swearing las curl
ously impersonal character. In his diff
culties with the teams man will lift
up his voice and address the infinite in
ciabolio homily that would befit Mil
tons satan, and then, subsiding like a
geyser. remain silent tor the rest of the
day. At night, when they gather around
the IRE. In the low-walled, turI-covered
they sit on the benches rs still as num-
mics. until they slip down on the door
and snore until morning. They seem
wrapped up in their own thoughts, or in
the place where their thoughts ouens
to be- They often camp alone by the
roadside; indeed, mAny Of them seem to
prefer the absolute isolation that they
find bivouacking In the scrub woods ten
miles from neighbors. One night I
sought directions from one Of these sol-
tary men. tie was q huge srisxle-
bearded fellow. whom surprised cook
ing his supper by little fire in niche
in the rocks near his team. His ugly
visage stood out in the blaze of hfs
bacon, which he was toasting on stick.
He gave me sufficient answers without
looking UP. to see who II was that was
shouting to him out Of the darkness.--
At'anti' Monthly. ei -iiiN' f'f.i. =