X 
THE BEAR 
399 
sary, and we regarded with admiration the energy 
and perseverance they exhibited in working with 
their own hands, and in knowing how to use their 
own hands, in the absence of such assistance as 
would be considered necessary in civilised countries. 
There were about 8000 head of cattle upon the 
Frewens’ ranche, all of which w^ere in excellent 
condition. It was beyond my province to enter 
upon the question of successful ranching, but the 
Americans confided to me that the prairie grass, 
instead of benefiting by the pasturing of cattle, 
became exhausted, and that weeds usurped the 
place of the grass, which disappeared ; therefore it 
would follow that a given area, that would support 
10,000 head of cattle at the present time, would in 
a few years only support half that number. It 
might therefore be inferred that the process of 
deterioration would ultimately result in the loss of 
pasturage, and the necessary diminution in the 
herds. 
From the Frewens’ ranche, a ride of 25 miles 
along the course of the Powder river brought us 
to the last verge of civilisation ; the utmost limit 
of the cattle ranches was owned by very nice 
young people, Mr. and Mrs. Peters, Americans, 
and Mr. Alston, an English partner. 
We had been hospitably received by these 
charming young settlers, whose rough log-house 
was in the last stage of completion, and I fear we 
must have caused them great personal incon¬ 
venience. 
