68 RECREATION 
away from the settlement. That saved our 
feelings somewhat. We still had hope that 
we might be able to make a bargain with 
some ranchman for a horse, and Mrs. 
Cook wanted to be in on the next horse 
trade. Sure enough, she asked the first 
settler we saw to sell us a horse, and, for- 
tunately, he had one he would sell. We 
struck a-bargain; I gave my note for it, 
cash to be paid him at a meeting place 
agreed upon on our return trip to Denver. 
This animal proved to be all right and our 
_ horse-trading was practically over. I might 
mention now, however, that I sold this 
horse on our return to Denver for about 
what we paid for him. As for the locoed 
broncho, we left him at a ranch on our way 
back to Grand Lake, and in passing there on 
our way to Denver the ranchman offered 
to pay me twelve dollars for the animal, 
which was accepted without any delay. 
Our trip back to the lake was without 
special interest, further than being annoyed 
by cattle after sunset. They came toward 
us, bellowing and threatening; we had to 
handle them cowboy fashion, yelling and 
urging on our horses. At times it seemed as 
if our horses would be gored. One big bull 
came up the road and stopped in the middle 
of a small bridge that we had just started 
over. The situation looked serious, indeed, 
for a moment; dropping his big head, he 
swayed it. from side to side, challenging us 
to come on. It was the only thing for us 
to do, so we urged our horses on, cracking 
the whip, and rushed the bridge, the bull 
giving way at the last moment. We camped 
for the night at Spetzger’s, half way between 
Hot Sulphur Springs and Grand Lake. We 
reached the lake next day about noon. 
A week later Mrs. Copeland and I started 
back to Denver with the team; the Cooks 
were to remain at the lake two or three 
weeks longer. Our trip back was a very 
enjoyable one; we had no load to haul and 
could make good time. We slept on hay in 
our camp-wagon, stopping for the night 
wherever we happened to be, but always 
near running water. There is no fear of 
being disturbed at night in that country; 
the common tramp is unheard of. You 
may be sure of being left entirely alone, for 
it seems to be in the atmosphere in the 
Rocky Mountains. We made the drive 
back to Denver in three days. Of course, 
to do that it was necessary to push forward 
hard and put in a full day. 
We were at the end of one of the most 
enjoyable outings we ever had. A trip of 
this kind is not without its hardships, it is 
true, but the real fun and recreation we 
enjoyed alone linger in our memory. 
INDEPENDENCE DAY 
Again comes Independence Day, 
With all its blare and blatant noise; 
And all the stress the day employs, 
With streets all bunting-spun and gay. 
Each heart shall pulse with quickened life 
At sight of all the flag-strewn way; 
And hail again the veterans gray, 
In rhythmic play of drum and fife. 
—Siacy E. Baker. 

Eee —E———=— 
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