COWBOYS PAY US A VISIT. 279 



and frequently taken off our feet, while, from not being able 

 to see, we were very much knocked about by their knees. 

 The storms came up one after another, barely giving us time 

 to get into bed and warm ourselves before another began, and 

 out we had to go again. 



When we had been in this camp about three weeks two cow- 

 boys arrived from a small ranche twelve miles down the creek ; 

 and very rough specimens they were, as water with them was 

 looked upon as a superfluous luxury, and their clothes were 

 polished with grease and blood. They told us that about a 

 month before one of their companions had been out after 

 strayed cattle, when some Indians chased him. He seemed to 

 lose his head, forgetting that he had a rifle and revolver, and 

 only tried to get away. They went out from the ranche when 

 they saw him coming, but were too late to help him, as almost 

 immediately the Indians overtook him and speared him in the 

 back, throwing him from his horse, when they scalped and 



mutilated him. One of these men had seen F from a 



distance one day, and not knowing of our being in the country 

 had gone back to report having seen an Indian, after which 

 they kept to the ranche for several days. They had, however, 

 come across our waggon-trail, and had then known that we 

 must be white men, so they had come out to visit us. They 

 remained for a meal, and were astonished at the cooking, 

 everything they ate being boiled in a camp-kettle, and all 

 tasting alike. A day or two later we returned the visit, taking 

 our blankets, as we meant to remain out a day or two and try 

 the other end of the creek for game. A ride of two hours 

 brought us to the " shack," as that kind of house is called, 

 the plan being as follows : 



