Las Vegas free press. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1891-1???, 1892-08-16

lay smootn, WlnulnB around the mn
sides and passing through the small
adobe settlements. Many were the
decorations ofgreen boughs and arch.
ways in honor of some noted person
age, not included in the party.
Soon we realized we had found
the mountains indeed; entering a
large canon, we found the mountains
on the right were only surpassed by
those on the left.
Far above, as high as we cared to
look, the mountains rose crowned
with their heavy foliage of pine;
small mountain clover, some daisies,
and others, of unknown species, made
bright the mountain side.
The mountain streamlet now fur.
nished music for us, as it leaped from
rock to rock, making miniature falls.
How small thing may change the
well organized plans of man The
innocent stream became the means
of our downfall. When the foremost
team a tempted to cross, 1t held the
wagon so firmly that in order to es
cape, one wheel was left in the ditch.
This called for stoppage. While
a part of the party returned to get a
substitute for our broken conveyance,
the remainder began the ascent OF
the mountain. This mountain was
the highest and hardest we had to
ascend; for about six miles the in
mates of the wagon had to walk and
give a lift to the. wheels.
Up, up! Higher and higher!
Where can the summit be? At last
the goal was reached. Far i'll the
distance could be seen the snow
capped mountains of other ranges;
down hundreds and hundreds of feet
lay the rlpening grain of the indus
lrious farmer; the view still further
away no pen can tell, no artist pic
ture, nor any one conceive who has
not been fortunate enough to have
been there. On the white trunks of
the trees travellers had left their
names, showing that others had trod-
den the same path before.
BY this time all the party were
weary and anxious the end to see.
Two of the party went ahead, follow
ing the stream, and secured for us
our first meal of mountain trout.
The descent was not SO difficult,
and the rest of the way was u peace
full panorama. All that was neces-
sary was to watch and enjoy.
About $50 found us at our desti-
nation. Tired? o, no; but exhaust
ed. Tents up, supper over, no idle
talk or uncalled for remarks dis
turbed the silence of the camp.
Naught was heard save the heavy
breathing of the tired sleepers.
Our permanent camping ground
was not only picturesque, but COM
Portable. An open place, shaded by
trees, making it pleasant the greater
part of the day; in the background
our two tents furnishing sleeping
apartments and protection for eat
ables. In front of our camp the road,
IN which there were Mexicans and
Indians passing the greater part of
either driving their fiocks or
cir products to market.
Surrounding us entirely the noun
tains; some we could not think of
going up; others were not so formid-
able. Winding around the camp,
the small mountain stream which
forms the head waters of the Rio
Pueblo, whose waters were cool and
soft as any cistern water and abound
ing with speckeled trout.
Az a result of the first hunting
trip our table was supplied with
mountain grouse. On the fourth
day rude but convenient table was
made of hewn trees. After our first
meal we did not all sit down when
all of the family were present: Some
were out hunting the fleet footed
deer or fishing in the streams.
One beautiful sight we witnessed.
Down the canon few yards distant
the rain was falling; where we stood
was perfectly dry, and further down
a hr;lIianf raiubnw snauund fl,n