UNEXPECTED VISITORS. 237 







especially to the turkeys, and they were well worthy 

 such attention. Their fat forms, nicely browned, 

 would have tempted the veriest dyspeptic. 



Just as we rose from dinner, a covered emigrant 

 wagon was discovered approaching us, coming down 

 the valley right on our trail. From the fact that we 

 were off the route of overland travel, our first con- 

 jecture was that it was from Hays, with a party of 

 hunters, or possibly with Tenacious Gripe, so far re- 

 covered as to be rejoining us. We assumed an atti- 

 tude of dignified interest, prepared to develop it into 

 friendship, or " don't want to know you " style, as oc- 

 casion might require. A hale, elderly man was the 

 driver, now walking beside his oxen. The outfit 

 halted before our astonished camp, and as it did so two 

 women, genuine spirits of calico and long hair, lifted 

 a corner of the wagon cover and looked out. Both 

 were apparently young, but one face was thin, and 

 had that peculiar expression of being old before its 

 time which is far more desolate than age. The other 

 countenance was certainly good-looking and interest- 

 ing — quite different, indeed, from those usrally seen 

 peeping out of emigrant wagons. Introductions arc 

 short and decisive on the plains. We liked their 

 looks, and invited them to stop ; they liked ours, and 

 accepted. I think the Professor's dignified attitude 

 and scholarty bearing stood us in good stead as refer- 

 ences. 



Another female developed as the wagon gave forth 

 its load — this time a bouncing Irish girl, rosy-cheeked 

 and active, evidently the family servant. At this 

 latter apparition Shamus dropped one of our platters, 



