The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-03-10

might be close to an Indian camp
or trail ! think l would be with
in the bounds of reason and a
truthful estimate when l say that
at some of our camps it's rasping
tones could be heard five miles away
and Of course would be dead give
away here, as no Indians kept any
such animals.
The country through which we
were now travelling was rolling. the
ravines all running toward the north
and contained some small ash timber
and brush, while the entire country
| was covered with thick coat OF
grass that generally stood up and
would not be easily covered with
snow. 1t was the best grazing lands
we had yet passed over. We had
arrived at the Wapka Schika or Bad
river, as nearly as We could tell by
the map. There was no river or
even creek now, only a frozen pool
, of water could be found OCCASION
ally along its bed. When the ice was
cut a terrible stencil arose from the
! pool beneath, but the water tasted
| better than it smelled or looked.
There was but little timber at this
| point and this was mostly cotton
Iwood. We We're undoubtedly near
the source of the stream. Indians
| had passed but short time before
our arrival, as their fresh trail
would indicate, only few rods from
our camp.
AS We pulled into camp on Bad
river we found that Mr.. Aarons had
breathed his last. He had died a
short time before entering camp, as
one Of the boys had given him
drink not more than an hour before.
During the night light fall of snow
came and the morning was dark and
gloomy, the clouds hanging among
the tree tops.
l have always observed that peo-
pie like the barometer, are affected
by the weather, being cheerful and
bouyant or sad and depressed, in
accordance with the weather. While
a beautiful sunshiny morning would
produce bouyancy and good cheer, a
morning like this with death in our
camp, with fresh Indian trail WISH
BILE forcibly reminding us that any
moment might bring us face to face
with foe that would abruptly end
our trail by blotting us out of exist
ence. and with the further depress-
ing conviction that had crept into the
minds of few of our party that we
were lost for the time being, cast a
shadow over the minds of the most
resolute and sadness like a pail OF
gloom seemed to pervade the camp.
| A rough coffin was made by split
ting cottonwood logs and the mortal
remains of our friend and companion
, was laid to rest on little knoll to
the left of the stream. We did not
, know that he was a member of any
church, but Williams read an appro-
pirate passage from the Bible. The
, grave was properly filled and we
: turned from the sad spot and resum-
ed our journey.
From this point our course was
( nearly west for few days. We fol-
lowed the course of stream thai
5 headed near the breaks of the Chey-
enne and skirted the bad lands on
the north. About noon the clouds
J disappeared, the sun came out and
the shadows of gloom were entirely
| dispelled. The country is similar to
!, what we had passed over in the last
few days only We were following
a valley that was smooth and gently
: sloping. A few large cottonwood
trees grew along the margin of the
stream or the center of the valley
where water runs when there is lots
of rain. The sun was warm and
} the light snow soon disappeared.
l Va VIC SAAu udy ncu Ian ana
discovered the Black Hills from the
left of our train and were about 80
miles distant In direct line. They
resembled a huge black snake
stretched out along the horizon after
having swallowed few elephants,
camels, etc. This discovery gave new
confidence to those who thought we
were lost and were wandering aim
lessly over the world. The head OF
this valley and the breaks of the
Cheyenne, for they were the same
were reached about the last of No.
vember and was a very charming
and picturesque spot.
(To be continued.)
3 MOUNTAIN LIONS KILL
DEER BY HUNDREDS