THE WOLF HUNTERS 



made the first part of our trip on starting from 

 Fort Wise. They were just getting in with their 

 train, as dirty and jolly as ever. We were grati- 

 fied to realize that we had gained so much time 

 and avoided so much dirt by transferring to the 

 mule train at the Santa Fe crossing of the Ar- 

 kansas River. 



Later we met more bull trains and other freight- 

 ing outfits coming in but found few going west. 

 At this season most people were inclined to seek 

 the friendly shelter and comforts of the settle- 

 ments rather than to brave the inclemencies and 

 dangers of the bleak plains. 



Among the travellers whom we met coming in 

 was an occasional outfit of "busted Pike's Peak- 

 ers/' as unfortunate and discouraged miners re- 

 turning from the Pike's Peak gold region were 

 called. Most of these gave doleful accounts of 

 life and prospects in the Colorado mines. 



For a few days after leaving Leavenworth we 

 kept the dog. Found, tied up, lest he should go 

 back to his master; but we were all kind to him, 

 and he showed no inclination to quit our company, 

 and when we turned him loose again he con- 

 tentedly remained with our outfit. 



We found the roads fine and the weather real 

 Indian summer; days hazy, warm, and pleasant, 

 nights cool, and mornings frosty, as is usual on 

 the plains at this the most pleasant time of the 

 year. 



38 



