CHAPTER XXVI. 



CAPTURED BY INDIANS. 



HEYENXE was at length left behind, 

 and, with the object of securing com- 

 panionship in my journey across ^yyom- 

 ing and Utah, I made the acquaintance 

 of two herders — rough men and plain 

 of speech, but apparently reliable and 

 trustworthy. During the few days spent 

 with these pioneers of the Plains, I 

 learned but little of their past lives, yet 

 I was thoroughly satisfied from the first that they 

 would prove invaluable guides in my otherwise lonely 

 ride over the Rockies. 



My new companions, Israel Gordon and a Mexican 

 with unpronounceable name, were on their way to Salt 

 Lake City Avith a tew mustangs and Indian ponies, 

 and we at once arranged to journey together as far as 

 our respective routes carried us. 



On our first dav out from Chevenne we were much 

 favored, having a clear sky and a southwest wind, 

 which tempered pleasantly the usual chilliness of the 

 season. A ride of thirty-three miles on an up-hill 

 road brought us to Sherman, the highest point touched 

 23 (^"^) 



