LIFE IN THE FAB WEST 143 



water, although not one of the party had before 

 explored the country, or knew anything of its nature, 

 or of the likelihood of its affording game for themselves 

 or pasture for their animals. However, they packed 

 their peltry, and put out for the land in view a 

 lofty peak, dimly seen above the more regular summit 

 of the chain, being their landmark. 



For the first day or two their route lay between two 

 ridges of mountains, and by following the little valley 

 which skirted a creek, they kept on level ground, and 

 saved their animals considerable labour and fatigue. 

 Williams always rode ahead, his body bent over his 

 saddle-horn, across which rested a long heavy rifle, his 

 keen gray eyes peering from under the slouched brim 

 of a flexible felt-hat, black and shining with grease. 

 His buckskin hunting-shirt, bedaubed until it had the 

 appearance of polished leather, hung in folds over his 

 bony carcass ; his nether extremities being clothed in 

 pantaloons of the same material, (with scattered fringes 

 down the outside of the leg which ornaments, how- 

 ever, had been pretty well thinned to supply " whangs" 

 for mending mocassins or pack-saddles,) which, shrunk 

 with wet, clung tightly to his long, spare, sinewy legs. 

 His feet were thrust into a pair of Mexican stirrups 

 made of wood, and as big as coal-scuttles ; and iron 

 spurs of incredible proportions, with tinkling drops 

 attached to the rowels, were fastened to his heel a 

 bead- worked strap, four inches broad, securing them 

 over the instep. In the shoulder-belt which sustained 

 his powder-horn and bullet-pouch, were fastened the 



