286 WILD SPOUTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



not to- go without him, concluding his kind invitation 

 to remain in hi.s house, by saying that I was " as wel- 

 come as the flowers in May." I could not withstand 

 this, and remained with much pleasure. lie rode 

 away the same day, and returned on the following 

 evening. In the afternoon it came on to snow, and 

 continued till late at night, so that we expected glo- 

 rious weather for shooting ; but our joy did not last 

 long, for it soon became warm again. Nevertheless 

 we got every thing in readiness, mended moccasins, 

 cast balls, sharpened knives, and, on the 30th, we pro- 

 ceeded to the Pilot rock, at the source of the Hur- 

 ricane. After crossing the Boston divide, we stopped 

 on the slope, where we found a spring of delicious 

 water, and "struck camp." The night was clear and 

 cold, but the heat of the day had spoiled all the beau- 

 tiful snow. Stretched before the fire, we rested our 

 weary limbs after the exertions of the day, and were 

 .soon sound asleep, with our dogs beside us. 



As we were not yet on our intended ground, we rose 

 early, descended the mountain, crossed the Hurricane, 

 and fixed upon a spot for our night's camp, where we 

 left Conwell's horse, with our blankets, and provisions. 

 Here we separated to mount the, hill on different 

 routes. The Hurricane is a mountain stream, taking 

 its name from a hurricane which raged near its mouth 

 some time ago, leaving traces that are still vi-ible. 

 It runs into the Mulberry, and flows with it into the 

 Arkansas. 



Con well went to the left, I to the right ; the hill 

 was in places so steep, that I was obliged to lilt the. 

 dog up before me. At length I gained a flat terrace. 



