EXPOSURE IN A SNOW-STORM. 289 



saddles," with his halters, " cavraces," " larrietts," " apishamores," and all 

 the needful materiel for camp and travelling service ; and, adjoining him at 

 no great distance, his animals are allowed to graze, or, if suitable nourish- 

 ment of other kind be lacking, are fed from the bark of cottonwood trees 

 levelled for that propose ; and, leaning close at hand, his rifle awaits his 

 use, and by it his powder-horn, bullet-pouch, and tomahawk. 



Thus conditioned are these lordly rangers in their mountain home, nor 

 own that any creature of human kind can possibly enjoy life better than 

 they. 



The events of each day varied so little in their nature, that a minute no- 

 tice of them would prove uninteresting to the general reader. Suffice it to 

 say, we remained here till Jan. 1st, 1844, and then removed to Vasques' 

 creek, some thirty-five miles further south, where we encamped in the val- 

 ley that formed my hunting ground of the previous winter. 



The weather continued cold, and several falls of snow had occurred, 

 covering the prairies to the depth of six or seven inches, and the moun- 

 tains to the depth of many feet, though it rarely remained in the warm 

 valleys and upon the sunny side-hills to exceed three successive hours. 



Our camp, as a general thing, was quite favorably situated in regard 

 to temperature ; the day time frequently affording a spring-Hke warmth, 

 though the nights were usually cold. 



A peculiar species of grass among the hills retained its verdancy the 

 entire season, as did also another variety in the valleys. Our horses and 

 mules continued to thrive and even fatten upon the nourishing herbage 

 thus afforded by these secret chambers of spring. 



Soon after our removal to Vasques' creek, three Indians, from a 

 neighboring village, paid us a visit, who brought vague information of the 

 approximity of the Sioux, which so excited the apprehension of my camp- 

 mates relative to their own safety and that of their animals, that they 

 were not satisfied to remain here any longer, and accordingly left for the 

 Fort. Wishing to ascertain the true situation and locality of such suspi- 

 cious neighbors, I proceeded to the Indian village for that purpose. The 

 report proved unfounded ; but yet my extra-prudential comrades were 

 unwilling to compromise their own safety by a further hunt, and argued 

 stoutly to persuade me to accompany them beyond the reach of danger. 

 - In the morning, however, as all were ready to resume their journey, I 

 mounted my horse, and, bidding them adieu, with my lead pack-animal 

 returned to the mountains, resolved on a further test of the sweets of 

 loneliness. 



Remaining at our former camp for a week or more, I enjoying full 

 scope for my trusty rifle among the vast quantities of deer which showed 

 themselves in every direction ; and, in one of my many excursions, pene- 

 trated to the head valley of Vasques' creek ; — being belated on my return 

 by killing a very fat deer, I was forced to pass the night among the moun- 

 tains, without even a robe or a blanket to screen me from the severities of a 

 pitiless snow-storm that fell in the mean time. Strange as it may seem, T 

 experienced not the slightest ill effect in consequence. 

 lU 



