BEARS. 217 



These men were living after the fashion of their new-found relatives, and 

 seemed to enjoy themselves as well as circumstances would admit. They 

 had a number of horses, with the requisite supply of arms and ammunition, — i 

 the sure sources of wealth and comfort in a country abounding with game. 



The Indian family were relatives by marriage, and were one of some fif- 

 teen lodges of Blackfeet among the Arapahos, who forsook their own na- 

 tion, on account of its uncompromising hostility to the whites. Quite a 

 number of these Indians have also joined the Sioux and Nesperces, for a 

 like reason. 



We were entertained very kindly by our new friends who spared no effort 

 to render our stay agreeable. Among the delicacies set before us, was 

 one deserving of notice, — it consisted of the fruit of prickly pears (cacti) 

 boiled in \vater for some ten or twelve hours till it became perfectly soft, 

 when it was compressed through a thin cloth into the fluid in which it had 

 been boiled. This forms a delicious variety in mountain fare, and one highly 

 stimulating and nutritious. 



The immense quantities of cacti fruit found near the mountains, at the 

 proper season, render the above an entertainment not uncommon. 



Sept. 1 ^th. Again under way ; after a ride of fifteen miles, night finds ns 

 at Blackfoot-camp, snugly chambered in a spacious cave, to avoid the disa- 

 greeable effects of a snow-storm that comes upon the reluctant prairie with 

 all the witherinor keenness of winter. 



The cave aflbrding us shelter is formed in an abrupt embankment of lime- 

 stone, that marks the eastern limits of a beautiful valley through which a 

 small affluent of Cherry creek traces its way. The floor is of dry gravel 

 and rock, about fifty feet long by fifteen wide, while upon one side a crystal 

 spring presents its tempting draughts. Thus chambered, a small fire soon 

 rendered us comfortable and happy, notwithstanding the dreary weather 

 without. 



Our course during the day bore southward, and led from the valley of 

 Cherry creek to an interesting plateau, furrowed at intervals by deep can- 

 ons, enclosing broad bottoms of rich alluvion, and ridged upon either hand 

 by high hills of pine and ledges of naked rock. 



The streams are generally timberless, — the soil of the highlands is of a 

 red, clayey mould, and quite fertile. Instead of the aridity incident to the 

 neighboring prairies, it is usually humid. 



The country hereabouts, for an extent of upwards one thousand square 

 miles, is much subject to storms of rain, hail, snow, and wind, — and it is 

 rarely a person can pass through it without being caught by a storm of 

 some kind. I can account for this in no other way than by supposing it 

 has some connection with the vast quantities of minerals lying embedded in 

 its hills and valleys. 



Sept. I4:ih. Morning was ushered in with a pleasant sunshine, that soon 

 caused the snow of the past night to yield beneath its melting influences. 



When on the point of raising camp, an old grizzly bear made her appear- 

 ance with three cubs. An effort to approach her j)roved futile, — she, hav- 

 ing snuffed the closeness of danger with the breeze, made a hasty retreat 

 with her offspring. 



19 



