WILDERNESS LIFE. 271 



pelled to change my resolution, for no one could sub- 

 mit to his irascible temper and constant insulting lan- 

 guage; so, with no companions but my mare and 

 mule, I left the camp, one bright morning in the month 

 of February, with the determination of returning east- 

 ward alone. The step was full of danger, but I pre- 

 ferred running the risk rather than remain to be fur- 

 ther insulted, or seek redress by recourse to weapons, 

 too often done in this lawless portion of the world. 



As the teams were being hitched up I started in 

 the reverse direction, little aware of the trying ordeal 

 that was before me. My animals were in good condi- 

 tion and spirits. 



For a week I traveled northeast, in the hope of 

 finding a suitable halting-place to remain in till 

 spring fairly commenced. At length I came upon 

 a spot which took my fancy a small table-land 

 well sheltered from the northern wind, and under- 

 neath a valley, from which the snow had partially 

 disappeared, and where there was a fair quantity of 

 bunch grass, the most desirable food for the quadru- 

 peds. Under a projecting rock I made my camp, 

 for the spot was so inclosed that I hoped the light- 

 ing of a fire would not attract attention. Weeks 



o 



rolled by, and the mare and mule lost little of their 



