NO FANCY SKETCH. 245 



Meanwhile, it stormed almost incessantly, and the prairies presented 

 naught save one vast expanse of gloomy desolation covered with deep and 

 trackless snow. 



The distance to be travelled was not far from two hundred miles, through 

 a country inhabited only by wild beasts and strolling savages. Yet, no- 

 thing daunted by the cheerless aspect of affairs, having completed my ar- 

 rangements, I improved the first fair day to launch I'orth upon the drca y 

 waste. 



Relying upon the great abundance of game usually encountered en route, 

 I took but a small supply of provisions, as, fully equipped, with rifle, pistols, 

 butcii'sr-knife, and other requisites, I mounted my horse, and, solitary and 

 alone, commenced the long journey before me. 



Hurrying on as fast as the nature of the case would admit, in the after- 

 noon of the second day, an object, several miles in advance, arrested my 

 attention. Suspicious of danger, but anxious to know its character and ex- 

 tent, I cautiously approached and was gratified to find it, instead of the 

 lurking savage my imagination had depicted, a white man, hastening with 

 eagerness to greet me. 



He was on foot, and looked way-worn and weary to a deplorable extent. 

 His story was soon told. He was the bearer of despatches from the Arkan- 

 sas to Colonel Warfield, — and being compelled to abandon his mule by the 

 way, on account of the depth of snow, had proceeded thus far on foot, and, 

 for the last three days had been without eating, in the tedious performance 

 of the duty committed to his trust. 



Hearing this, I invited him to a creek near by, where I immediately 

 struck camp, and laid before him my small stock of eatables, with the as- 

 surance it was at his disposal. 



The speedy disappearance of the scanty supply, attested the keenness of 

 his appetite, and left us both in a state of utter want. 



On learning that Colonel W. had left for the Arkansas several days 

 since, and now most probably had reached his destination, my new ac- 

 quaintance concluded to retrace his steps and bear me company. 



The next morning we arose breakfastless and resumed our journey, 

 trusting to a kind Providence and our rifles to meet the demands of nature. 

 But the snow became deeper the farther we advanced, and prospects more 

 and more gloomy at every step. 



Not a hving creature presented itself to view, nor even the least vestige 

 of any thing possessing the breath of life. Before and around lay a vast 

 spread of winter-bleached desolation, bounded upon our right by the distant 

 mountains, whose towering summits pierced the blue heavens and laughed 

 at the clouds and storms below, while in front, and rear, and on our left, the 

 curving horizon alone gave limit to vision. 



Stiil hope bade us advance, although difficulties continued to multiply in 

 threefold ratio. The second and third day our progress did not exceed 

 twelve miles, and yet we had gone so far retreat or advance seemed alike 

 hopeless. 



Starvation stared us in the face, and continued travel through snow, 

 ofttimes waist deep, reduced our strength and wasted our spirits. 



On the fourth day, however, the weather having become more favorable, 



