HIGH PRICES. 



benevolent designs of our Government are consummated by these pension' 

 ere upon the public treasury ! 



Had they the will so to do, it would be no difficult matter to put a stop 

 to all such expoitations. The departure of any one of these companies 

 for the mountains, is a tiling too difficult to be effected unknown and 

 steakhily. It becomes public talk for days and even weeks previous. 

 Scarcely anything would be easier than for those whose business it is, to 

 keep on the look out, and enforce the law to its fuil extent upon each of- 

 fender. A few examples of this kind would interpose an insuperable bar- 

 rier to the furtlier prosecution of an illicit traffic in the manner it is at 

 present carried on. A few faithful public officers, and attentive to tlieir 

 duty, regardless of fear or /aror, would soon accomplish an object so de- 

 sirable. 



In subsequent pages of this work I shall have occasion to notice a few 

 of the many evils resulting from tliis criminal neglect,— but at present 

 forbear further remarks. 



Our arms were now put in order for immediate use, — each individual ap- 

 portioning to himself a good supply of ammunition, to be ready at ail times 

 in ca^e of attack. Guards were ordered to be constantly on the alert. 

 The company was divided into two parties, — one for day and the other for 

 night guard, ai)d these again Were subdivided for alternate relieves, — thus, 

 one (if each subdivision ser\iDg a day and a night, and the resen^e the 

 day and night succeeding. The day-guard consisted of only two persons. 

 U]ion duly every other day, but tlie night-guard numbered ten, — two being 

 on duty for two hours were then relieved by the two next in succession, 

 and they by the next, and so on. 



Strict orders were also given to prevent any from leaving camp, oi part- 

 ing from the caravan while travelling. In fact, every thing began to as- 

 sume a warlike aspect, as if we were really in danger and apprehensive 

 of an immediate rencounter. 



Several bo?:8s of clothing, &c., were also opened for such as wished to 

 purchase. But every article disposed of v/as sold at an enormous rate: 

 tobacco bringing from one to three dollars yjer lb., according to quality ; 

 batcher-knives, from one dollar to one fifty each; hose, one dollar per 

 pair ; shirts, from three to five dollars each, according to quality ; blank- 

 ets, irom twelve to sixteen dollars ; coats, from fifteen to forty dollars; 

 coarse tdioes, four dollars per pair; six-penny calicoes, fifty cts. per yd.; 

 beads, one dollar per bunch, etc. These were of an indifferent quality, 

 and afTordod the vender some three or four hundred per cent, advance 

 upon purchase-price. In fact, with regard to prices, conscience had no- 

 thing to do with the xapJ^-sr, 



