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CHAPTER XX. 



Old acquaintances. — Indian murders.— Mode of travelling in a dangerous countiy.-*- 

 Mexican traders. — Summary way of teaching manners. — Fort Lancaster and sur- 

 rounding country. — Resume journey. — Cherry creek and connecting observations.— 

 Sketch of the Arapalios, their country, character, &c. — Camp of free traders.— 

 Blackfoot cam}). — Daugherty's creek. — Observations relative to the Divide. — Mex- 

 ican cupidity.— Strange visitors. — Tlie lone travellers. — Arrive at the Arkansas. — 

 General remarks.— -Curious specunens of cacti — Fontaine qui Bouit, or Natura. 

 Soda-fountain. — Indian superstition. — Enchanting scenery. — Extraordmary wall cf 

 sandstone. 



At Fort Lancaster I was gratified by meeting with several acquaintances 

 of the previous winter, two of whom had been comrades during a part 

 of my unfortunate and adventurous voyage down the Platte. 



My appearance created no Httle surprise and pleasure, on all sides. 

 Queries of various kinds were industriously plied, relative to the latest 

 news from the States, and also in reference to the miseries and hardships 

 undergone during the interval of my absence. The dangers of our mode 

 of travelling were freely expatiated upon, and numerous instances of recent 

 Indian hostilities cited to prove our " fool daring." 



Among the latter was an outrage perpetrated by the Chyennes, only two 

 weeks previous, in the murder of three white men, — one of whom was the 

 oldest trapper in the mountains, and had been for some time engaged in tlie 

 fur trade. 



The murderers had the impudence to ask a scalp-feast from the com- 

 mandant of the Fort, according to custom in case of overcoming their ene- 

 mies in battle ! The hair, however, being recognized as that of a white 

 man, no feast was given. When accused of the murder, they apologized 

 by saying the poor fellow was suffering greatly at the time from recent 

 wounds, and they had killed him out of pity ! 



In our mode of travelling, we always used due precaution to avoid sur- 

 prise and attack. This is easily done, while among buffalo, by noticing 

 their movements, — as these animals invariably flee across the wind upon 

 the approach of man, and neither Indians nor whites can traverse theii 

 range without setting the whole country in motion. 



We observed another plan of caution by frequently ascending some emi 

 nence, and scanning the wide expanse, far and near. 



Our general practice was to travel till night, and camp without fire in the 

 open prairie, thus precluding the possibility of being discovered, even though 

 in the immediate vjcinity of Indians. 



A party of three or four men can pass through a dangerous countiy and 

 avoid coming in contact with enemies, provided they exercise a needful vigi- 

 lance much more easily tlian one of larger numbers. With a large ccmipaiij 



