The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-27

strongly impregnated with soda that
it bursts forth With the appearance Of
steam. Near by Is q spring with an
orifce brightly stained with q yellow
coating OF oxide OF iron, from which
the water is thrown up two feet.
Close 10 these springs, hut upon q
higher elevation in the shape OF an
inverted bowl, is the beautiful Swan
lake, about seventy-ive yards in
diameter, over the banks Of which
the water flows in a thin, uniform
sheet in every direction down It's outer
sides. Weber Canon next claims at
I ntion. Here, on the north side Of
the track, two curious formations are
seen. One is Battlement Rocks, a
group OF reddish colored rocks Of diff
ferent sizes and varying some in shape,
but remarkably uniform in appear
ance-the other is "The Witches"
there, in their mysterious formation,
puzEling all who look upon them,
they stand, as II talking TO each other
and mocking the changes and disin-
tegrations Of time, as the ages roll on.
One OF them wears q decided "Gree-
ian bend" OF modern notoriety, which
detracts from the imaginary dignity
Of O witch. Finally the canon norrows
to q gorge, aud away up yonder toward
the top of the high bluffs, called
Eagles Nest Rock" we catch glimpees
of little holes, or caves, worn by the
wind, in which the proud bird Of
America builds its nest and Tears its
young, far beyond the reach OF human
hands. AS the laundering train rushes
on we pass Thousand Mile Tree"
with its great arms stretching out to-
ward us, from one of which hangs q
sign which marks the distance since
leaving Omaha. Devils Slide," one
of the strangest formations on the
route, next appears in the ever vary
ing scene. 1t is formed by two paral-
lei lodges OF granite turned upon the
edges, serrated and jutting cut in
places fifty feet, about fourteen feet
apart and 500 feet high. Dashing on
ward, we leave this in its immovable
position, on the eide OF the
everlasting hills, and glide over
curves and charms into Pointneuf
canon, and follow, for some distance,
the ever-changing course OF Point
neuf river, along which the scenery is
varied, occasionally novel, beautiful
and grand. The mountains on either
side rise in majestic splendor and
pierce the regions where the clouds
roam, where the lightnings play, and
where
"FrOm peak TO peak the rafting crags
among
Leaps the live thunder"
Below, like vast Notifications OF the
gods, in regular and uniform positions,
100 to 200 feet high, the solid granite
walls defy tie passage of man or
beast, while at their feet flow and
murmur perpetually the clear waters
of the little river, along whose banks
wild flowers bloom and bud over its
mirror-like surface, as il admiIing their
own beauty and loneliness which are
reflected in the liquid depths beneath.
On we go, passing herds of horses and
cattle feeding lazily in the narrow
valleys, until we reach the
Bannock and Shoshone In
dian reservation, comprising an
area Of about fifty miles square, upon
which some 1900 or 1900 thriftltss de-
graded Indians reside in idleness.
Here and there a few wigwams are
seen huddled together, forming a
characteristic Indian village. But a
marked absence of civilization and
progress is noticeable here, where no
white man can obtain a footing. By
the solemn and binding force Of treaty
contract these reservations are held,
to the exclusion of all others, by this
non.progressive people, upon whose
boundary line the stern mandate of
the United States law says, THUS far
and no farther" At Pocatello, the
junction of the Union Pacific and
Utah and Northern railroads, /
stopped wei a day and visited some
OF the Indian villages above men,
toned, and learned much of the life
of this persistently degraded and un-
civiliz ID race. Although the general
government provides them with food
and clothing and gives them land, and
implements with which to work it,
and establishes educational facilities
in their midst, still they cling to their
savage ideas OF life and live in their
wretched wigwams at the base
OF come mountain, or along the
bank Of some stream, with
out aspirations and unmindful
OF the rays Of moral and intellectual
light which surround them. Aglance
at the occupants and contents Of one
OF their wigwams reveals less a 7 and
comfort than can be found in the dens
OF the wild beasts of the forest. Every
Saturday they 90 to the Government
Agency and draw their weeks r%ations,
which are carried home by the squaws,
while the bucks, who are constitu-
tionally opposed to work, remain all
day at the Agency and indulge in
horse races, foot races and card play
ing, which not infrequently results in
one or more OF the number winning
what the others have drawn from the
government; then the luckless losers
hunt or fish for game to eat, and failing
in this a dog is killed, which supplies
them with meat MJfil other arrange
ments are made. Ny guide from the
hotel across the valley and up the
mountain gorgel to the Indian village
was a large shepherd dog, who vol
UNFAIRLY occupied this position and
seemed proud of the opportunity to
render me the service. lie was faithful
and unerring in the discharge Of this
selt-imposed duty until 1 reached the
hotel on my return, after which l saw
him no more. Tins d~isinterested
kindness and courtesy to a stranger
shall not soon be forgotten by the re-
cipient. Ny observations of the In
diaps since / have been in the West,
leads me to believe that their tribal
ralalinna are the nraafank nhatanlaa to