A Sportsman 191 



him a wide berth, but the elderly matrons indicated 

 rare courage. 



The gaining of the gold medal for Colorado had 

 become known in Colorado soon after its award, and 

 created a vast deal more of enthusiasm than it would 

 have elsewhere, from a region which had experienced 

 more or less a feeling of isolation. The coming of the 

 commissioner from the French government and of the 

 other distinguished visitors was heralded by telegraph 

 in advance, and we were surprised, when within ten 

 miles out from Denver, to be met by a committee of 

 mounted citizens that had been formed to escort us 

 over the last part of our route, and to learn that a 

 rousing ovation was to be tendered us upon our arrival. 



As our stage drove up to deliver us at the Planters' 

 Hotel, a large portion of the town was in evidence, 

 besides a band of music which discoursed lively airs. 

 The greeting was most hearty and the hand-shaking 

 my associates received was a new feature in their ex- 

 perience. It had been arranged that a reception 

 should be given that evening in one of the church 

 buildings, where we proceeded after a wash-up and 

 change of apparel. The building, though not limited 

 in extent, was crowded to its capacity, and to meet 

 the expectations, Simonin, Heine, and' I had to make 

 acknowledgments of appreciation and references to 

 some matters we knew of, and others we did not. 



Mr. Geise speedily returned home, leaving Simonin 

 and Heine and myself to bear the brunt of the ovations 

 which were extended to us from the principal mining 

 sections of the region. We made an extended exam- 

 ination of the mineral conditions, receiving banquets 

 at Denver, Central City, and Georgetown, at each of 



