186 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



tive construction ; but which answered the purpose of drawing 

 the smoke from the interior. Game was plentiful all around ; — 

 bands of buffalo were constantly passing the Arkansas ; and there 

 were always deer and antelope within sight of the fort. The pas- 

 ture, too, was good and abundant — being the rich grama or buf- 

 falo grass, which, although rather dry at this season, still retains 

 its fattening qualities ; and the animals soon began to improve 

 wonderfully in condition and strength. 



Of the four hundred head of m.ules and horses with which they 

 had started from California, but one-half reached the Arkansas. 

 Many had been killed for food (indeed they had furnished the only 

 provisions during the journey), many had been stolen by the Indians, 

 or shot by them at night ; and many had strayed off and not been 

 recovered. We have omitted to mention that the Sonora girl, 

 Juanita, and her spouse, Ned Wooton, remained behind at R-ou- 

 bideau's Fort and Rendezvous on the Uintah, which our band had 

 passed on the other side of the mountains, whence they proceeded 

 with a party to Taos in New Mexico, and resided there for some 

 years, blessed with a fine family, &c., &:c., &c., as the novels end. 



As soon as the animals were fat and strong, they were taken 

 down the Arkansas to Bent's Indian trading fort, about sixty 

 miles below the mouth of Fontaine-qui-bout. Here a ready sale 

 was found for them, mules being at that time in great demand on 

 the frontier of the United States, and every season the Bents 

 carried across the plains to Independence a considerable number 

 collected in the Indian country, and in the upper settlements of 

 New Mexico. While the mountaineers were descending the 

 Arkansas, a little incident occurred, and some of the party very 

 unexpectedly encountered an old friend. Killbuck and La Bonte, 

 who were generally compaiieros, were riding some distance ahead 

 of the cavallada, passing at the time the mouth of the Huerfano 

 or Orphan Creek, when, at a long distance before them, they saw 

 the figure of a horseman, followed by two loose animals, descending 



