Year: 1876

that we would not buy or the Indians
sell. We understand that this treaty
no longer exists and further, AS there
IL no military reservation in this re-
gion, the Indians will therefore be the
only ones to argue" with.


Men who can face the hardships of
an overland journey to IA country of
which scarcely anything is known,
and who have the will 10 leave pleas
ant firesides, need have but little fear
of Indians, though they may be an
noyed by them. Those who are natur-
ally of phlPgmatic and calm DISPOSE
tiOns, but who are at present bad on
the gold fever have the consolation
at least, that this summer the Indians
will have difficult time in Keeping out
of the cluthes of General Custer's and
Colonel McCOok's cavalry, as this
year will probably decide the question
whether settlers are to be further an
nOyed by hostile bands of Sioux or
not. The Indians seem to know ;his,
and have been and are still prepa ing
to make final stand. 1t is reported
that they are beautifully supplied
with ammunition, and will also be
aided by Southern bands.


Undoubtedly two more posts will he
built this summer in the neiehborhood
of the "Hills," ostensibly for the
purpose Of protection to settlers in
this region so we see, the military
will keep the redskins pretty. busy,
and scarcely any trouble needbe an
ticipated by miners from Indians.


Indians as a class are towards, and
are ever seeking to attack when they
have every advantage still they are
cautious, The tiUre generally chosen
is day-break, when the party to be at
tackled are supposed to be asleep or un-
prepared. Naturally very sharp sight
ed, they can easily see, although
scarcely visible themselves in the de-
ceptive light of a Western daybreak.


If the first-rush or surprise made by
them be rppuised, they will continue
to ride in a circle around the party.
managing to keep out of rifle shot, al
though apparently drawing nearer
TO one who is not accustomed to dis
tance in the West, the Indiana do not
seem to he out of range, and shot after
shot will he wasted by firing at them.
This is exactly what il wanted they
will keep on drawing your FIRE and
finally, when you have spent all your
ammunition in target practice you Will
be surrounded, your train plunderpd,
and, with tohs6riat flourish, you will
be relieved of your scalp but if they
notice that you seldom fire, and then
only with effect. they will see that
you understand the business, and will
soon desist, leaving you complete
masters of the situation.


Five determined men can easily
"stand OFF, from thirty to forty Indi-
ans. Goodness and careful shooting is
all that is needed. We CLEAN from
the conversation of all whom we have
met--and we have had tie pleasure Of
meeting many who have been in the
"Hii!s"-that they are indeed rich in
gold deposits, both i'm the free state
anI mixed with quartz: the percent
age per pan being quite large. Streams
of fresh, clear water abound in the
Hills, and the country bnrdcrinE them
gives every promise OF being richly
agricultural. OF course no actual tri-
al has as yet been made. The timber
is of varied kinds, large and sound,
the grn8iuC excellent, aud game
ahundcnt so we see gold alone is
not the only gift nature offers in this
region.


Now is the time to go ; the country
is rapidly filling up. The trail from
RiSmark, at the end of the Northern
Pacific railroad, to the Black Hills is
PIG miles lorg, and through region
atlording easy marches, being conve-
niently watered and we'll supplied
with grass. This region undoubtedly
will soon be as tlourishing as the gold
fields of Colorado, and ere long Custer
city or Hill city, may rival Denver
in population and enterprise. Who
knows? This is an age of wonders.


PHI KAP