DIVISION OF PARTY. VlB 



The day following, two parties started in quest of game, — one of which 

 killed three bulls, at as many shots, within half an hour after leaving 

 camp. 



The other party also killed two, but, in securing one of them, they met 

 with an exciting adventure. 



Both animals were extended upon the ground, one entirely and the other 

 apparently dead — the hunters, having butchered one of them, proceeded to 

 the other, and were in the act of raising him to the right position for the 

 commencement of operation. The old fellow, not relishmg the Hke famil- 

 iarity from new acquaintances, sprang to his feet, and made a plunge at 

 the affrighted hunters, who only escaped the fatal charge by one of those 

 admirable feats of quick dodging so often in requisition among moun- 

 taineers. 



The bull, passing between them, fell head foremost against the ground, 

 two or three feet beyond the spot they had occupied scarcely a second 

 previous ; — then rising, with glaring eyes and distended nostrils, and 

 mouth foaming with blood and rage, he pursued one of them in hot chase, 

 for a distance of several hundred yards. So close was the bull in a few 

 leaps, that with a sweep of his horns he gored the hunter's back, tearing 

 away his pantaloons and coat, and prostrating him upon all-fours at the 

 edge of a deep ravine, down which he tumbled ; — the enraged beast fol- 

 lowed, but the force of an unbroken headway landed him, with a tremen- 

 dous shock, against the opposite bank, far beyond the hunter. Improve- 

 ing the advantage thus gained, the latter escaped through the windings of 

 the ravine, and ascended the bank, without the reach of his pursuer. 



Having procured his rifle, after nine more shots had riddled the lights 

 of the bull's carcase, the business of butchering was again commenced and 

 terminated without further mishap. 



Our stay at this camp was prolonged for three or four days. 



The geological character of the vicinity corresponds very much with 

 that previously remarked, and to describe it in full would seem too much 

 hke a repetition. I have, perhaps, said sufficient to give the reader a cor- 

 rect idea of the prominent characteristics of these parts, and hence, for the 

 sake of brevity, shall hereafter forbear further notes upon this subject, 

 unless some uniform change or striking peculiarity should call for a 

 passing observation. 



Prior to resuming our journey, a disagreement occurred between us rel- 

 ative to the proposed route. 



Some were desirous of proceeding southw^ard into the Plains of Lara- 

 mie ; thence, bearing eastward to Laramie river, following its valley to Fort 

 Platte ; — others were anxious to continue up the Platte to Sweet Water, or 

 further, and from thence proceed as circumstances or inclination might 

 suggest. 



This difference finally resulted in a division of the party, — four in 

 favor of the western, and three of the southern route, — myself being in- 

 cluded with tlie former. 



Selecting two pack-mules for the conveyance of provisions and camp- 



8 



