DIVISION OF PARTY. 



IfiS 



The day following, two parties started in quest of game, — one of which 

 killed three bulls, at as many shots, witliin half an hour after leaving 



camp. 



The other party also killed two, but, in securing one of them, tliey met 

 with an exciting adventure. 



Both animals were extended upon tlie ground, one entirely and the other 

 apparently dead — the hunters, having butchered one nf tliein, proceeded to 

 the other,' and were in the act of raising him to the right position tor the 

 commencement of operation. The old fellow, not relishing Uie like famil- 

 iarity from new acquaintances, sprang to his feet, and made a plunge at 

 the affiii/hted hunters, who only escaped the fatal charge by one of those 

 admirabte feats of quick dodging so often m requisition among moun- 

 taineers. 



The bull, passuig between them, fell head foremost against the ground, 

 two or three feet beyond the spot they iiad occupied scarcely a second 

 previous; — then rising, with glaring eyes and distended nostrils, and 

 mouth foaming with blood and rage, he pursued one of tiiem in hot ciiaso, 

 for a distance 1)f several hundred" yards. So close was the bull in a few 

 leaps, that with a sweep of his horns he gored the hunter's back, tearing 

 away his pantJiiooiis and coat, and prostrating him upon all-fours at the 

 edge of a deep ravine, down which iie tumbled ; — the enraged beast fol- 

 lowed, but the force of an unbroken headway landed him, wirh a tri'men- 

 dous shock, against the opposite bank, far beyond the hunter. Improve 

 ing the advantage thus gained, the latter escaped through the windings of 

 the ravine, and ascended the bank, without the reach of his pursuer. 



Havino' procured his ritle, after nine more shots had riddled tiie lights 

 of the butl's carcase, the business of butchering was again commenced and 

 terminated without furtlier mishap. 



Our stay at this camp was prolonged for three or four days. 



The geological character of tlie vicinity corresponds very much with 

 that previously remarked, and to describe it in full would seem too much 

 like a repetition. I have, perhaps, said sufficient to give the reader a cor- 

 rect idea of tlie prominent characteristics of these parts, and hence, for the 

 sake of brevity, shall hereafter forbear further Tiotes upon this sidyect, 

 uiUeB" °ome uniform change or striking peculiarity should call for a 

 passing observation. 



Prior to resuming our journey, a disagreement occurred between us rel- 

 ative to the proposed route. 



Some were desirous of proceeding southward into the Plains of Lara- 

 mie ; thence, bearing eastward to Laramie river, following its valley to Fort 

 Platte ; — others were anxious to continue up the Platte to Sweet VVater, or 

 further, and from thence proceed as circumstances or inclination might 

 Buggest. 



This ditFcronce finally resulted in a division of the party, — four va 

 favor of the western, and three of tlie southern route, — myself being in- 

 cluded with tlie former. 



Selecting two pack-moles for the conveyance of provieionB and cunp- 



