Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-01-06
SINGING
It was lato in the sixties.

JNeAANJ " INC hNiief At0tfAiNY, we n
decided to return eastward 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 well Organized,
considering tie fact that We were mere
~ on q prospecting trip, led out b. many
stories of fabulous strikes and rich dig
gings.
We were as sorely disappointed a lot
as ever started on a back trail. Not
even q decent color did we find ON the
weary way. Seated about The camp
fire that evening, Bill Upper, our guide,
finally broke the silence, which had
lasted for over half an hour, rs every
man felt too reorly the disappointment
of returning empty handed.
''see here, boys" said Ell. "here 70
sit mopin and mopin, night after night,
over matters us can't be helped. It's
hunarei Of uiics back Yeul,r TO the
dissins SO SLIDER = h, Lieh far
Is Sc ku gt tlis on. aaraiI 1o iBi
hap. liiar amt uo u sssin Do .
aud # we don't De ua,il soon snow
wiz io.fch ue iu the hills afore we Kin
Get acios.
The force Of the argameuf struck
home. PC orops Us ma ftau the asual
after snppar letiHrsy which we were
accustomed 20 drop into. To be cauglt
on the main range Of the Rockies in
m%idwinter was a prospect so horrible
and uninyiting that we determined to
lose no time in getting started for home.
We concluded TO devote cne day to
hunting and supplying the party with
fresh meat, to prepare a lot for the trim,
and then be of. Game was plentiful IN
that uncenny region and we found no
trouble in getting all that we wanted.
On the following day we started carly.
and after o 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, tho Il used by Lewis and Clarke
in their expedition 10 the Columbia, and
now known as Mullan pass. This would
bring us to the neighborhood Of Last
Chance, which was in its primeval in
fancy when we left the far off settle
ments. p
Our stock OF breadstufTs was running
low, and it was necessary to reach some
camp MS early rs pos ible.
Ihe scenes we passed through for
beauty and sublimity beucorcd an de-
scripaon. Occasionally p scared bird
would rise hastily into space as our col
umn camo winding down The trail,
which r-rnu 90 y-nY.r.aur no -. oo~.--1 49,. A.
ride Indian fashion-one behind the 9th
er-with the pack animals IN groups be-
tween us, thus making conversation
during the progress Of the journey im-
possible.
1t IL doubtful if any Of the others paid
heed to the attractions Of the country.
Silently the cavalcade wendell its way
down the steep trail. The whole looked
so uninviting and dangerous that invol-
unfairly each man looked TO his fire
arms aud all drew as close together as
possible while we rode on, and many a
pipe was slowed away in the pocket of
its owner. It stood rs 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 I'M
disputed domain. Many a venturesome
prospector had left the settlements be-
fore us and had never returned, leaving
his bones TO bleach Ia the sun and ram.
until found later, If ever, by others fol-
lowing in his footsteps. Danger lurl,ed
even in The closest proximity Of the set
Elements, and the unwary could never
tell when tho blow might fail. Eternal
vigilance was lie price Of life.
The sun was setting, It became evil
dent thnt we could rot reach Last
Chance before dark, although we could
see the smoke Of the camp, as we wero
on much higher ground. We were now
lcisureiy following the course Of Is sintil
stream unknown To us. Arriving at n
mall l|ableiand, wo decided TO pitch
camp tAcro for the night, for we were
tired and hungry. Camp was soon
ready and preparations Tor a hearty
supper were Qu.ckly undor way. No
accident had befallea as thus far, and
while consuming The meal with raven
u appetite the boys soon found their
old time humor, and many q good story
was dished up for dessert. After sup
per tho animals were picketed ia q clump
Of bushes near by. The evening was
perfect.
The boys were idling about the tents.
a few were playing cards; others were
stretched ont in the luxurant grass,
busy wifh shy 5ga4in8, perhaps tbinling
81 hQina and nitndaa coed inafy miles
Nil iuppnr hal wondered away To-
8lils fAa tream. and Ne could ete him
a<lha Nhj4Etated % hnfe bowls
LIBERAL has been con1 i
time that statehood, and M ets9
alone will accomplish ellis.
Is Tor statehood whether
lder a democratic or republican o
.nlstration. e1p9s