wiLsox-1 INDIAN ATTACK. 659 



and camped at its lower end. The following morning, leaving camp 

 where it was, we rode to the top of Sawtelle's Peak, and having one of 

 those magnificently clear days, I obtained a splendid set of angles to all 

 the points that are visible from this peak. While I was taking my 

 notes, Harry shot a fine mountain sheep, which we loaded on the mule 

 that carried the large transit, and returned to camp just before night. 

 After dinner we were lying about the fire, smoking and talking, when 

 suddenly, all unconscious of any approaching danger, some shots were 

 fired just behind us, and as quick as a flash we aU drooped to our hands 

 and feet and crawled for our rifles, some one calling out "Indians." 

 Just as I picked up my rifle I heard our stock start off on the run. I 

 knew at once that we were left on foot beyond all redemption, as the 

 Indians were on horseback and already had the start of us. We re- 

 mained in camp some time, but finding that the Indians still lurked 

 about, I came to the conclusion that they intended giving us another 

 trial at daylight, and as there was nothing to be gained by keeping the 

 camp, as we could take nothing away except what we could carry on 

 our backs, at the same time the camp was in an exposed position, there- 

 fore I determined to crawl out to some woods, where my little party of 

 five, with our four guns, might stand a better chance if they should find 

 us. Gathering up what was necessary in the way of provisions and 

 blankets to last us three or four days, and taking our guns and ammu- 

 nition, we started, first caching the instruments. Crossing the river, 

 we felt our way along to the woods, where we lay down for a nap. As 

 I had suspected, just at daylight the Indians fired into the camp, evi- 

 dently to see if we were there. As soon as it was fairly light, we 

 started along, striking for the Lower Geyser Basin, where I hoped to 

 intercept one of our parties. If we failed in this, we would have to go 

 to the Mammoth Hot Springs, a distance of 150 miles. After walking 

 some distance, we succeeded in reaching a point from which we could 

 see our camp. I could see with my field-glass that the camp had been 

 demolished ; also saw two Indians on horseback apparently looking for 

 our trail. After a long, tiresome walk over the plateau, we were com- 

 pellei 1 to camp dry, not being able to find any water. Next morning 

 we started just before daylight, hoping to reach water before it got hot. 

 We had just started when a meteor shot across the canon out of which 

 we were climbing, lighting up the whole heavens as bright as noonday 

 sun, and shortly after there came a peculiar sound very nearly like 

 thunder, yet very different. Not suspecting anything of the kind, I did 

 not take the time between the appearance of the meteor and the sound, 

 which would have given me the distance of the meteor. After three 

 days' hard walking we reached the Upper Geyser Basin, where we found 

 Dr. Hay den and some of the other parties. 



Procuring three mules, two riding and one pack, from Mr. Jackson's, I 

 started back the next morning, accompanied by faithful friend Harry 

 Tount, to rescue the instruments if possible. Beaching the camp about 

 noon the second day, we found everything scattered and torn up ; all the 

 provisions, blankets, and many other things had been carried off. But 

 fortunately they had not found the instruments that we had hidden. 

 Loading our one pack-mule with instruments and a few other things 

 that we picked up about camp we started back, and on the evening of 

 the third day reached the Geyser Basin again. 



Joining Mr. Jackson's party, we proceeded to Heart Lake, where he 

 photographed the geysers, while I made a station on Mount Sheridan. 

 Prom this peak we had a splendid view of the whole Park, with its 

 many crystal lakes embedded in the black-green forests which cover 



