26 ELDORADO 



brush, was all the fuel we had for many weeks, in 

 fact until we reached the Black Hills in what is now 

 Wyoming. 



Upon the leave-taking of our ''good Indian" we 

 gave him numerous little presents, with which he was 

 much pleased, and, mounting his pony, he was soon 

 lost to view in the distance. In all my experience with 

 Indians I have found kindness and good treatment as 

 much appreciated as by the more civilized, and I have 

 sometimes thought even more so. 



Only a single tree was seen between the Elkhorn 

 and Laramie, and that stood about lOO miles below the 

 latter place, on the north bank of the Platte, near the 

 water's edge. On my next overland trip in '53 I noticed 

 that the "lone tree" had been cut down by some van- 

 dal who had not the fear of future punishment before 

 his eyes. While in camp at this point I had a thrilling 

 experience in crossing the Platte with a life-preserver, 

 in an attempt to interview immigrants on the south 

 side, many of whom were reported sick and dying with 

 the cholera. 



