Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-24

ADanuOneu. we lett MIN Wnere, III
he revived, he could get water and
grass. but we do not know what his
fate was. At last. after several
hours OF this fatiguing march. we
reached the summit OF the mountain
ridge and following this by more
easy stages we arrived. about 2 p. m.
on the Gavilan Creek. i,500 or 1000
feet above the level OF the River
Brazo. This was as far an we could
go with the animals. Our purpose
WAS to do more this day than to get
Into the canon. explore II for little
way. try the fishing and reurn to the
vicinity OF the mouth Of the Gavllan
Creek and there spend the night ready
for an early start on the morrow. So,
after giving the guides instructions
to try work their way little nearer
the canon TO carry down to the mouth
of the creek before dark, some blank
cts and food, we commenced the la
borious descent of the 0avilan. This
little creek carries a considerable vol
ume OF water. even at its lowest stage.
but for two or three miles before II
cmpties into the river. the descent Ii
so rapid that there Is scarcely any
point where u is able to flow In peace
ful current. or gather In placid pools
for so much az ten feet Of distance.
Down il rushes In contiuous success
sion OF rapids and cascades for 1000
feet. until it's waters mingle with the
deeper currents OF the river below.
Following this stream. climbing and
sliding down over the rocks and bould-
ers. after two more hours we, too.
uttered shout OF triumph as we step
ped into the river and laid claim to Its
waters and Its fsh by right OF con
quest We soon found that the fish
ing was all that the most exacting
could desire. The stream was alive
with trout They would rise 10 the
flies the instant they touched the
water. and frequently we would catch
two and three at single cast OF the
line
| viii not undertake TO give an ex.
tended description Of the Rocky
Mountain trout Its character and
habits are pretty well known to all
lovers of rod aud line. 1t is not 80
wary or 80 "gamey" as It's Eastern
cousin but 1t grows to a much larger
size In the larger rivers. such as
the Rio Grande and the Gunnison,
specimens are caught weighing AZ
much as eight pounds. and occasion
ally larger one still is secured. The
majority OF those We caught on this
and the following day ranged from
one.hnlf to one and half pounds In
weight. So II was not necessary for
us, this trip. to return home with the
story that we had caught great
many Ash. many OF which would
weigh two pounds. meaning, TO speak
accurately. that II would require many
OF them to weigr AZ much as two
pounds. After q couple OF hours OF
this exciteing sport. our party assem-
bIed again at the mouth OF the Gavil-
an Creek. expecting to find the guides
there with blankets and food, but in
| this we were disappointed. The
night was about to close down upon us
and we had the choice of climbing the
cliffs. 1000 feet to where the animals
were picketed above. or to camp
ering We unanimously chose the lat
ter the lesser OF the two evils. though
by this time was suffering from a
severe headache. The ground was
| damp from recent shower. but find-
| ing somewhat protected quarter we
built hre of driftwood and pines and
sat around 1t. making the best we
could OF our situation. reviewing the
experiences OF the day and enjoying
the beauties OF the deepening night !;
beauties born OF the dark and myster.
ious forms around, OF the brilliant
stars overhead and the rushing waters
IN the river.bed near at hand.
| Aobut Q o'clock we neard shout
down the canon. and q few moments
later Louis stepped within the light
OF the campfire. He and Onofra had
misunderstood the instructions given
him, and had endenvored to reach an,
other point with our OUTFIT Luis had
seen the light OF our campfire, and
had made his way to II from a point
down the river, but he had come
empty handed. Seeing the plight wa
were In. he volunteered to return up
the elf and bring us blankets and
food. and, against our protests, he
started OF on the perilous trip. II
was midnight. after we had given him
up. when he and Onofra Mt last re
turned. loaded down with our entire
camp outfit. except the tent There
must have been l50 pounds in their
packs. and how they succeeded In get
ting safely down the cliffs in the dark
ness with such a load Ia something VIC
have never understood. We lost nc
time, however. In getting into oul
blankets, and were soon disposed
around the fire In slumber. while the
guides sat up to gather wood and keer
the hrc replenished. We awoke In
the irst grey OF the dawn to welcome
the coming OF the magnificent day
What a glorious morning It was, The
soft, deep blue OF the sky melted into
our very hearts. and We drank deer
OF such air ms wild flowers love to
breathe. Surely. In such a mood as
| IA .t,l A.