32 WILD FLO\Vr:RS OF COLORADO. 



the farmer touched his belt from which hung a sheatli that con- 

 tained a dangerous weapon. 



Looking from my window the next morning I saw an enghie 

 coming in from the wx^st. The cowcatcher was a l^laze of Hght. 

 It was the most brilHant thing I had ever seen. As it came 

 near I discovered it w^as the cactus ; some artistic hand had 

 placed them upon the engine. It stopped in front of the house 

 and w^e all went down to see tL:m. I asked the engineer if 

 he would "give one a stop-over check; I would like to paint its 

 portrait." He selected one and gave me. I disliked to see 

 even one disturbed, they looked so bright and happy. I could 

 almost hear them say: "We are on a little trip, and we have 

 a pass for the whole party." 



I have given you only three varieties of caclrs, but there 

 are many more. They blossom on the mountains from July to 

 the last of September. Hundreds of plants are taken awav 

 every summer by tourists to be transplanted to a foreign soil. 



On the second day we drove o\'er to Poncha S{)rings, a little 

 town five miles west of vSalida. During the drive we passed many 

 fine ranches. One especially attracted our attention. The house 

 \vas built after the English st^'le, and was reached from the main 

 road by little bridges that crossed the south fork of the Arkansas 

 river. The soft-eyed Jersey and her six-months' old daughter 

 stood near the lane as we passed, and seemed disappointed that 

 we did not enter. 



On reaching the v^illage we drove at once up the mountain 



