ELDORADO 39 



turned they hastily "how-howed," shaked hands and 

 rode quietly off. Had our train not been in sight we 

 might have been at least deprived of our horses and 

 whatever else they could have appropriated. 



Upon arriving at Willow Springs, a noted camping 

 ground for emigrants, where ordinarily there was plen- 

 ty of grass and water, we found an excellent spring of 

 cold water, but the feed had been entirely consumed. 

 We reached here after an unusually long day's travel 

 in a cold rain-storm as night was approaching. We 

 were now at an altitude of 6,000 feet, near the base of 

 the snowy range of the Rocky Mountains. The neces- 

 sity of providing for our animals was the first con- 

 sideration, and two of our men were sent to search for 

 grass, which they succeeded in finding about one mile 

 from our camp. 



We had no means of building a fire, and our usual 

 meal of coffee, pan-cakes and bacon was omitted. Af- 

 ter corralling our wagons near the spring, our party 

 was divided, part accompanying the stock to the grazing 

 ground to stand guard, and the others to remain with the 

 wagons. I was one whose lot it was to help guard the 

 stock. Each one of our company was provided with a 

 full suit of rubber, which we found a great protection 

 from the frequent rains and in night watches. As In- 

 dians had been seen watching our progress during the 

 day, our captain was apprehensive that we might have 

 trouble with them before morning, as the dark and 

 stormy night was favorable to their approach. His 

 fears were not unfounded, for about 12 o'clock they 

 crept as near as possible without being discovered, and 

 by shaking a buffalo robe stampeded all our horses 

 except a few that were picketed or fettered. 



