Arizona republican., 1892-12-22
SINGING RIVER.
It was late in the sixties.

ueclueu to return eaSsWaru over the trail already known to us rather than try to reach the Pacific over an entirely un- known route, beset with extraordinary danger and hitherto almost untraveled.
 Our party was fairly we'll organized, considering the fact that we were mere ly on prospecting trip, led out by many stories of fabulous strikes and rich dig gings.
 We were as sorely disappointed lot as ever started on back trail. Not even decent color did we find on the weary way. Seated about the camp fire that evening, Bill Tupper, our guide, finally broke the silence, which had lasted for over half an hour, as every man felt too keenly the disappointment of returning empty handed.
 ''See here, boys" said Bill, there ye sit mopin and mopin, night after night, over matters as can't be helped It's hundreds of miles back wonder to the diggins in Alder gulch, which is es far es ye kin git this season, barrin no mis- hap. Thar ain't no use stayin heer, and if we don't be movin soon, snow will ketch us in the hills afore we kin get across"
 The force of the argument struck home. It aroused us all from the usual after supper lethargy which we were accustomed to drop into. To be caught on the main range of the Rockies in midwinter was prospect so horrible and uninviting that we determined to lose no time in getting started for home. We concluded to devote one day to hunting and supplying the party with fresh meat, to prepare a lot for the trip. and then be of. Game was plentiful in that uncanny region and we found no trouble in getting all that we wanted. On the following day we started early, and after wearisome march reached the summit of the continental divide safely.
 Early fall had set in when we began the ascent. We had taken the lower route, the one used by Lewis and Clarke in their expedition to the Columbia, and now known as Mullan pass. This would bring us to the neighborhood of Last Chance, which was in it's primeval in- fancy when we left the far off settle ments.
 Our stock of breadstuffs was running low, and it was necessary to reach some camp as early as possible.
 The scenes we passed through for beauty and sublimity beggared all de- scription. Occasionally scared bird would rise hastily into space as our col umn came winding down the trail, which was so narrow as to compel us to ride Indian fashion-one behind the oth- .er-with the pack animals in groups be- tween us, thus making conversation during the progress of the journey inn possible.
 It is doubtful if any of the others paid heed to the attractions of the country. Silently the cavalcade wended it's way down the steep trail. The whole looked so uninviting and dangerous that invol- untarily each man looked to his fire arms and all drew as close together as possible while we rode on, and many a pipe was slowed away in the pocket of it's owner. It stood us in hand to be careful, as the Indian did not look with great favor upon the inroads the white men were making upon his hitherto un- disputed domain. Many a venturesome prospector had left the settlements be- fore us and had never returned, leaving his bones to blench in the sun and rain until found later if ever, by others fol- lowing in his footsteps. Danger lurked even in the closest proximity of the set dement's, and the unwary could never tell when the blow might fall Eternal vigilance was the price of life.
 The sun was setting. It became evi- dent that we could not reach Last Chance before dark, although we could see the smoke of the camp, as we were on much higher ground. We were now leisurely following the course of small | stream unknown to us. Arriving at a small tableland, we decided to pitch 1 camp there for the night, for we were tired and hungry. Camp was soon ready and preparations for hearty | supper were quickly under way. No | accident had befallen us thus far, and | while consuming the meal with raven ous appetite the boys soon found their | old time humor, and many good story | was dished up for dessert. After sup per the animals were picketed in clump of bushes near by. The evening was perfect.
 The boys were idling about the tents. A few were playing cards; others were stretched out in the luxuriant grass, busy with sky gazing, perhaps thinking of home and friends good many miles away.
 Bill Tupper had wandered away to- wards the stream, and we could see him in the twilight. seated on huge bowl der, near the waters edge, listening in- tently to something. Then he walked up the stream, and returning walked down the stream. At times he halted, and oncq,he stopped and placed his ear to the ground. Suddenly the sound of horses hoofs was plainly audible, and while Bill was running back to camp, revolver in hand, stranger casns dash Ing up, looking more dead than alive.