The National tribune., 1902-05-01

come from, and how l had come from
there, and all about it, he hired me to
drive Il wagon all Winter, and go still
farther west He and three other young
men were out here on hunting trip, he
told me, and meant to stay out here a
year That suited me; could see all the
West, and more, in a year. | jumped at
his offer, although | expected to be half
frozen here in the Winter, but concluded
that if they could stand it could. They
were gentlemen sons, just out of college;
was Il workingman's son, just out of a
cotton mill.
As a matter of fact, we camped out
here in Monnesota and west of this, sleep
ing in tents all Winter, and | did not suffer
from cold here any more than l would
have done at home.
These men had their outfit at the hOtel,
but were about ready to pull out and 80
West when l joined them. They had
six horses, four good ones for the saddle,
and two heavy ones to haul my wagon.
1t was a stout farm wagon having a can
vas cover, and it hauled our supplies, bag
gage, tents, and some forage, but we could
not have q great deal Of that. Still, until
we had got 50 far West as to be beyond
the reach of settlers, they managed TO
buy forage from time to time, and when
that failed, our horses had to live Oh
grass. These young men were all rich
mems sons, but out here they did their
own work, and treated me as one of
themselves; L was never told to do any
thing that they were not willing to do
themselves.
/ drove the team on the march, and in
camp every one did his share of work
In fact, they would never order me TO do
anything; | pitched in when | saw any
work TO be done, not waiting to be told.
They had big supply of firearms, rifles
and ShOtguns. All guns at that time were
muZZlc-lOaders. These men had the first
breech-loader | had ever seen-a Halls
carbine. They did not use it, so | took
il, and afterward shot my first buffalo
with il.
Among their arms were two Colts
Dragon pistols, heavy affairs. | took one
Of them and carried it strapped to me
everywhere | went; / would not leave
camp, day or night without it.
My carrying the pistol was a standing
joke in camp, and when they would ask
me what | meant TO shoot with it. | al
ways told them a bear. / was always
hunting for one, and at last found him
or he found me: have never been able
to decide just which of us found the other
When we left St. Paul we drove south
west, as these men meant to cross Min
neSota Territory. then turn south and
come ont about Fort Laramie
This country was one of the best
have ever seen for game. The prairie
chickens were so thick here that | have
often killed dozen at a time. using moth
ing but a club to knock them over with
the men used shOtguns.
We had been out now month. travel
ing slowly. and camping few days at q
time whenever the grass was good, when
one day we camped on the edge of 2
swamp where there was hne grass Just
bo hind camp was low ridge covered
with bushes, and beyond it rose quite 9
high hill We had our tents and cool
fire a! the foot of this ridge Up beyonG
tins ridge. al the foot Of the hill behind
1 II, was large spring that fed the SWAMI
here. This place had been an IndiaI
camp at one time, and a path led III
| through the bushes to the spring; | fount
| IT and used it to 90 TO the spring for wa
ter and carried in all | had pots or bucket,
to hold, while one of the men cooked
dinner.
After dinner they started on a hunt
and left me 10 keep camp. That evening
| AFTER supper. all were gathered arount
| the camp fire. One of the men was tell
/ ing about some bear tracks he had seen
He said that the bear that had mad,
them was here yet. somewhere. and judg
| ing by his tracks he must be as big as ar
OK. He also said that he meant to hum
him tomorrow. These men were eternal
ly finding bear tracks and sending me on
to hunt him. when there was no bear Il
hunt. 50 paid no attention to this, as
thought 1t was another bear for me Il
hunt-and for Them TO laugh at
After while | got up to go after wa.