402 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CUAE 



The blood-red sandstone cliffs which arose in perpendicular 

 blocks for 200 or 300 feet in height from the Powder river were 

 very striking, as they formed a strong contrast to the glaring white 

 of the surrounding soil. The Powder river flowed beneath the 

 cliffs, and occupied a considerable portion of a swampy valley when 

 in flood ; this was covered with willows, growing so thickly together 

 that they were difficult to penetrate. 



Although the Peters's settlement was situated in a valley, it 

 was about 6500 feet above the sea-level ; nevertheless we felt a 

 great difference in the climate, as we had been at 10,000 to 1 1,000 

 feet during the last three or four weeks. 



It is very delightful to associate with young people who, having 

 selected their profession, courageously seize the handle of the 

 plough to strike a furrow that shall lead to fortune. We may 

 meet the same persons in conventional life, the lady perhaps out- 

 shining others in the drawing-rooms of civilisation, yet we know 

 but little of the real character until we find them in a situation 

 which calls forth the energy and abilities of their true natures. 



Mr. Peters had an English partner. He also was a man 

 accustomed to the luxury of clubs in London, but he now devoted 

 himself to hewing wood when it was required, fetching water from 

 the spring if he wanted it, and in doing everything in America 

 which he never had been called to do in England. 



It was a healthy existence. They all enjoyed their youth and 

 strength. There was no doctor for several hundred miles ; no 

 clergyman ; no church ; no cemetery ; but plenty of fresh air and 

 occupation. No person drank anything but water, unless tea or 

 coffee. A few years before our arrival there was plenty of game 

 among the willow thickets bordering the Powder river, and venison 

 could always be obtained from the black-tail and white-tail deer 

 without much trouble ; but continual shooting had driven them 

 away, and although the animals existed, they had become both 

 scarce and wary. 



There was no garden, as there was not sufficient rain ; and 

 labour was not to be procured for love or money. It was cheajxjr 

 to purchase fruits and vegetables prepared in tins in California 

 than to attempt the production by home industry. These were at 

 the same time dear, owing to the great expense of transport for 

 about 240 miles from Rock Creek station on the Union Pacific 

 Railroad. 



Living was primitive under these conditions, and we were much 

 afraid that, notwithstanding our friends' warm hospitality, we must 

 put them to a certain amount of inconvenience. 



