TWENTY YEARS IN THE ROCKIES. 21 



yards away. I was now, in my own estimation, a man, ready 

 to stake my life on the accuracy of that gun. 



An expedition was then about to start for the Rocky 

 Mountain country, and I was acquainted with the organizer, 

 whom I had met several times while making rifles for the 

 expedition. I decided to join him and his party, and was 

 outfitting myself as rapidly as my means would permit, 

 when my stepfather, in terms which admitted of no misun- 

 derstanding, informed me that I should not go. I rebelled 

 at this, and, as I had never received much encouragement 

 at his hands, I resolved to leave home for all time. 



I collected my scanty wardrobe and prepared to go to 

 the home of my uncle in Ohio. With a sorrowful heart my 

 mother met me at the gate, and while our tears fell like rain, 

 she kissed me good-bye and placed a little Bible in my hands, 

 exacting a promise that I would ever refrain from liquor 

 and gambling. I readily gave her my word of honor, not 

 thinking seriously of its importance, but in after years I 

 have had frequent occasion to recall her words. The little 

 Bible has remained in my possession, a comfort and a link 

 to the past. It has survived two fires where the houses were 

 burned to the ground, and passed through a flood where it 

 floated for twenty-four hours. The lessons learned from 

 the little book still have a sacred place in my heart. 



With my relatives and friends in my old home, I soon 

 forgot the unpleasant scenes I had left behind. I remained 

 in this place for several years. During this time I met and 

 married a Miss Houston. My salary as a farm hand was 

 very small, and I engaged in blacksmithing with a partner, 

 whom, six months later, I bought out and started business 

 for myself. By this time I was the father of two boys,, and 

 as I looked into their bright little faces, I would ask my 

 wife if we would ever be able to educate them as we wished 



