14 WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO, 



back and every last one was stretched out at full length, and I've 

 no doubt but flist asleep; yet they had made the trip up the 

 mountain with no complaints. 



" It is strange, ain't it, now, how those eastern fellows, 

 tourists they call them, will come out here and chmb mountains, 

 and do more hard work in one week than they would do in a year 

 at home, and try to act just as if they were used to it, and 

 they could stand it just as well as I can. I never let on but 

 I believe 'em, and we trudge right along; but I ain't hard- 

 hearted enough to let 'em start in those little pointed shoes that 

 they have on their feet, but make 'em believe they can't get 

 a good foot-hold with that kind, and in that way I get them 

 started in good broad soles. They laugh at them at first, but 

 before they are through they have good cause to rejoice, and will 

 recommend 'em with pride to their friends for mountain climbing. 

 " When I got back they were much refreshed ; each had had 

 a good nap, and the horses also looked rested. One of the 

 gentlemen had a box of paints, just like the one you always carry, 

 and he said he would like to make a paintin' of the whole bunch ; 

 but I told him they were for a friend of mine, and gave him only 

 a few. These are the best of the lot. No, they ain't faded a bit. 

 I put the wet paper around them just as you showed me before, 

 and they look as fresh as if I had just picked them, don't they.?" 

 In no state or country does the columbine grow so laro-e or 

 more beautiful than in Colorado. The higher you go up the 

 mountains tlie smaller 1)ecome the blossoms. They are in shape 



