p i174 —s 3 
angles, gave it quite an imposing appearance in the cuncertain- light ‘of 
_ evening.: A cluster of lodges, which the language told us belonged to 
Sioux Indians, was pitched under. the walls, and, with the fine back 
_ ground of the Black hills and the prominent peak of Laramie mountain, 
strongly drawn in the clear light of the western sky, where the sun had 
already set, the whole formed at. the moment a strikingly beautiful picture. 
- From the company. at St, Louis, I had letters for Mr. Bot udeau, the gentle- 
man in charge of the post, by whom Iwas ‘received with great hospitality 
and an efficient kindness, which was invaluable to me during my stay in 
the country... 1 found our people encamped on the bank, a short distance 
_above the fort. All were well; and, in the enjoyment of a bountiful a 
per, which coffee and bread made: luxurious to us, we soon forgot t 
eo wee | est ten sab oa 
-& ‘hear previous: havdship adn 
fork. There was no sign that our py “aa “passe e rode, 
né pine trees, unsaddled the horses, and aun: ea ienibs off ithe 
we ing the. arrival of our company. After r remaining here two 
yy companion beeame impatieut, mounted -his horse ¢ again, and 
e off down the river to see if he could discover our people. I felt so 
-marode yet, that it bere a horrible idea to me to bestride that saddle again; 
sol lay: still. I knew they could not come any other way, and then my 
~ eompanion, one of the best men of the company, would not abandon me. 
_. The sun went down; he did not come. Uneasy I did not feel, but very 
a Tha 2 provisions, but I could make a fire; and as I és 
es it I tried to kill one; but it peeds a better marksman 
: “to ila little bird witha rifle. made fire, ho 
hted my | 2 friend of mine in in every et d 
Jet my thoughts wander tothe far east. © 
Agekd the tramp of a horse, and my ai il compe was 
ide. He had found the party, ae we se os oy aki 
