, 1923-10-21

refractory customer. He has
many tricks, unknown to his we'll
trained brother of the east. Buck
,ng is a frequent vice, for which
there is small remedy; but, as we
left the fort. that horse must be
more expert than was any in our
, train who can foil an experienced
nacker. Every leap of the enraged
| tNute only increased h tension OF
fine cord which bound and finally
subdued him. and rendered him
~tractable-
Once under way, our little COM
nany. now increased to nineteen,
nresented quite a formidable appear
ance, as by dint of whip and spur
our steeds gayiy wheeled across h
Main towards the mountains j.. After
4 tedious ride of several III up
steep activities. over rocks. n
through dark dehles. we at length
uassed over the summit OF the
mountain range. took a last look Of
tho beautiful valley of h Gallatin,
and descended INTO a ravine coursed
hv the waters of Trail creek Fol-
lowing this we days, we came 10
the solitary ranch of the brothers
4 Roteler-the last abode of civilized
man in the direction of u travels.
These hardy mountaineers received
| and entertained us in hearty noun
tain style-giving IS the best oil
everything their ranch AFFORDED TO-
rether with a great deal OF intor'
| nation and advice about h coun-
try, which we afterwards found 70
he invaluable. The Botelers belong
10 that class of pioneers. of which
there are many in the new terri
who are only satisfied when
their location and field of operations
are a little in advance of civiiza-
tion-exposed to privation
danger-and yet unite with these
dlscomforts some advantages 81
4 hunting. trapping and fishing nor
| enjoyed by men contented to dwell
in safety. Free-hearted. Jolly n
4 brave, living upon such means rs
the country afforded. accustomed 20
roam for days and weeks in the
4 mountains in pursuit of game
furs. their experience renewed our
Il courage, and the descriptions which
| they gave us of the wonders they
had seen Increased our curiosity.
1t was not pleasant. however to
1 learn thai % lodges of Crows had
gone up the valley a few days be
4 fore our arrival. or to be tod by a
trapper whom we met that he hau
been robbed by them, and in com
mon parlance. been set on foot
by having his horse and provisions
i stolen,
In anticipation OF possible trouble
from this source, we organized our
4 company, and e.ccted Gen. II. D.
4 Mas hburn. encouragement Of Mon
ftana. commander. 1t was under
| stood mat we should make but one
/ march each d~ay-starting at 5 a. M,
and camping at 3 p. m. This OBJ
| waited the necessity of u~npacking
and cooking a dinner. At night the
horses were to be carefully picketed'
"A fire built beyond them, and TWO
of the company to keep guard until
! o'clock; then to be relieved by two
others, who were to watch until
daylight. This divided the labor
among II, who were to serve as
I picket men twice each week.
These precautionary be-
ing fully understood. we lett
Boteler's, plunging at once into the
vast unknown which lay before us.
Following the slight Indian trail.
we travelled near the bank OF the
/ river, rock and mountain. The foot
hills were covered with verdure,
which an autumnal u had
Bprinkled with maroon-colored unts,
very delicate and beautiful. The
path was narrow, rocky and I'M
even, frequently leading over high
hills, in ascent and descent more or
less abrupt and difficult. The in
Xcreaslng altitude of the route was
More perceptible than any over
which we had ever Travelled. and
this river. whenever visible. was a
perfect torrent.
While descending q hill into one
OF the broad openings Of the valley
our attention was suddenly arrest
ed by half a dozen or more mount
ed Indians, who were riding down
the foothills on the opposite side OF
the river. Two of our company
who had fingered behind. came up
with the information that they had
seen several more making observa-
tons from behind a small butte,
from which they fed In great haste
on being discovered. They soon
rode down on the plateau to a point
where their horses were hobbled.
and for a long time watched our
party as It continued its course nj
travel up the river. Our camp was
guarded that night with more than
ordinary vigilance. A hard rain
storm, which set in early in the
afternoon and continued through
the night. may have saved us from
an attack by these providers
ssYhen we started the next morn
ing. Gen. washburn detailed four
OF u company to guard h pack
train, while he, with four others,
rode In advance to make the most
practicable selection of routes. Six
miles above our camp we assembled
the spur of a mountain. which came
down boldly to the rivers edge.
From its summit we had a beautiful
view OF the valley stretched out be-
fore us-the river fringed with
cottonwood trees-the foothills COW
cred with luxuriant, many-tinted
~nerhage. and over all the snow
crowned SUBMITS OF mountains,
many miles away. but seemingly
" EsluU frrrr A. .asA.f - fh. NIot~ou