DES MOTNES TO OMAHA. 433 



was a small village in Lyon County, with about two 

 hundred inhabitants. 



(£)\\z Quuiirei anb jrifttt-mntl) Dag. 



A Night with Coyotes, 



Between Dale City and Anita, lowAi 



October Seventeenth. 



My journey to-day led me again over the seemingly 

 endless prairie — extending beyond the range of human 

 vision. Halted at a farm house for dinner, near Dal- 

 manutlia, an agricultural settlement in Guthrie County. 

 Wishing to reach Anita before stopping for the night, I 

 continued on the road after dark, contrary to my usual 

 practice. 



For some time before sunset I had not seen a farm 

 house or even a tree as far as the eve could reach, 

 and now could see nothino; of road or trail. Ac- 

 cordingly I gave Paul the rein and left him to pick 

 In's wav. He followed a sort of blind road which led 

 to a haystack. I thought I could do no better than 

 make my bed on the sweet hay, and decided to spend 

 the night there supperless. I had scarcely settled my- 

 self when a troop of coyotes, or prairie wolves, came 

 howling and barking in front of me. This made 

 things uncomfortable, and I at once jumped to my feet 

 and, revolver in hand, faced the enemy. Several 

 were killed by my fire. The remainder, however, 

 continued to threaten an attack. I was puzzled as to 

 what was best to do when I was suddenlv re-inforced 

 by a friendly dog, who, attracted doubtless, by the report 

 t)f the pistol and the barking of the coyotes, came to my 



