CHAPTER IX. 



MORNING AMONG THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. EN 

 COUNTER WITH SHOSHONEES. A GRIZZLY BEAR 

 FIGHT AND TERRIBLE RESULT. 



NOWHERE have I enjoyed the beauty of morning as much 

 as among the Rocky Mountains. At sunrise on the day 

 after the last hunt, the air was clear and pure, and, though 

 the summer was at its height, bracing cool. The caps of 

 the mountains, which arose loftily on two sides of our 

 encampment, were covered with shelving snow, while the 

 valley .of the river was glowing and bright. Here and 

 there a rushing stream upon the mountain glimmered in 

 the rays of the sun, while the pines upon its borders 

 stood in contrast, dark and stern. 



After a hearty breakfast, we resumed our journey. 

 The road was delightful. During the morning we crossed 

 many streams, clear and rocky, and some grassy valleys, 



flowers, of various kinds, brilliantly decked the 



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