Chapter I: Front Matter

IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

A Tale of Adventure.

BY

W. H. G. KINGSTON,

AUTHOR OF "OLD JACK," "IN THE EASTERN SEAS," "ON THE BANKS OF THE AMAZON," "IN THE WILDS OF AFRICA," ETC.

LONDON: THOMAS NELSON AND SONS. EDINBURGH AND NEW YORK. 1878.

Contents.

CHAPTER I.

WHY UNCLE JEFF CAME TO "ROARING WATER,"--THE SITUATION OF THE FARM--THE INMATES OF THE HOUSE--MY SISTER CLARICE AND BLACK RACHEL--UNCLE JEFF--BARTLE WON AND GIDEON TUTTLE--ARRIVAL OF LIEUTENANT BROADSTREET AND HIS MEN--THE TROOPERS QUARTERED IN THE HUT--OUR FARM-LABOURERS--SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE REDSKIN WINNEMAK--HIS FORMER VISIT TO THE FARM--CLARICE ENCOUNTERS HIM AT THE SPRING--BADLY WOUNDED--KINDLY TREATED BY CLARICE AND RACHEL--HIS GRATITUDE 13-33

CHAPTER II.

WINNEMAK WARNS US OF THE APPROACH OF ENEMIES--BARTLE GOES OUT TO SCOUT--NO SIGNS OF A FOE--I TAKE THE LIEUTENANT TO VISIT "ROARING WATER"--BARTLE REPORTS THAT THE ENEMY HAVE TURNED BACK--THE LIEUTENANT DELAYED BY THE SERGEANT'S ILLNESS--THE VISIT TO THE HUT--A TIPSY TROOPER--KLITZ AND GILLOOLY MISSING--THE SERGEANT BECOMES WORSE--SEARCH FOR THE MISSING MEN--I OFFER TO ACT AS GUIDE TO THE LIEUTENANT--BARTLE UNDERTAKES TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS BECOME OF KLITZ AND BARNEY 31-55

CHAPTER III.

MY FAMILY HISTORY--MY FATHER, ONCE A CAPTAIN IN THE BRITISH ARMY, COMES TO AMERICA AND MARRIES UNCLE JEFF'S SISTER--HE SETTLES ON A FARM IN OHIO--CLARICE AND I ARE BORN--MY GRANDFATHER'S FARM DESTROYED BY A FLOOD--THE NEXT YEAR OUR FARM IS BURNT--MY FATHER RESOLVES TO MIGRATE TO THE WEST--WE SET OFF IN WAGGONS WITH AN EMIGRANT TRAIN--PROSPEROUS COMMENCEMENT OF JOURNEY--PROVISIONS RUN SHORT--I WITNESS A BUFFALO HUNT--THE EMIGRANTS SUFFER FROM CHOLERA--MY MOTHER DIES--MANY OF THE EMIGRANTS TURN BACK--MY FATHER PERSEVERES--FIERCELY ATTACKED BY INDIANS--WE KEEP THEM AT BAY--AGAIN ATTACKED, WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO OUR ASSISTANCE--CLARICE GIVES HIM A BOOK--HE PROMISES TO READ IT--WE CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY, AND REACH FORT KEARNEY--REMAIN THERE FOR SOME MONTHS--MY FATHER, THOUGH STILL SUFFERING, INSISTS ON SETTING OUT AGAIN--HE SOON BECOMES WORSE, AND DIES--I AM DIGGING HIS GRAVE, WHEN AN EMIGRANT TRAIN COMES BY--UNCLE JEFF IS THE LEADER, AND WE ACCOMPANY HIM TO ROARING WATER 56-80

CHAPTER IV.

AS THE LIEUTENANT AND I ARE STARTING, WE HEAR THAT KLITZ AND BARNEY HAVE GONE OFF WITH A WHEELBARROW FOR CALIFORNIA--A PLEASANT BIVOUAC--AT LAST WE CATCH SIGHT OF THE DESERTERS--THE LIEUTENANT IS ABOUT TO RIDE AFTER THEM, WHEN A PARTY OF INDIANS APPEAR--THE INDIANS TAKE TO FLIGHT, AND WE LOSE SIGHT OF THE RUNAWAYS--FORM OUR CAMP--DISCOVER THAT WE ARE WATCHED--FOLLOW THE SPY, WHO PROVES TO BE MAYSOTTA--FIND THE DESERTERS TAKING THEIR EASE--WE CAPTURE THEM, AND, GUIDED BY MAYSOTTA, TAKE THEM TO THE INDIAN CAMP--RESOLVE TO RETURN TO THE FARM 81-102

CHAPTER V.

WE LEAVE THE INDIAN CAMP--MAYSOTTA'S KIND OFFER--OUR RIDE TO ROARING WATER--INDIANS IN THE DISTANCE--IN SIGHT OF THE FARM--A STRANGER INDIAN--OUR RECEPTION BY UNCLE JEFF--THE INDIAN'S STORY--HE GETS FOOD AND SHELTER--MATTERS NOW LOOK SERIOUS--A COUNCIL OF WAR--MY DOUBTS OF THE INDIAN--CLARICE AND RACHEL ACCOMPANY THE LIEUTENANT TO THE INDIAN CAMP--WE BARRICADE THE HOUSE--DISAPPEARANCE OF THE INDIAN--BARTLE GOES OUT TO RECONNOITRE--APPROACH OF THE ENEMY--A DETERMINED ATTACK--SEVERE LOSSES--THE OUT-BUILDINGS SET ON FIRE--OUR AMMUNITION RUNS SHORT--THE ROOF TAKES FIRE--HOW ARE WE TO ESCAPE?--UNCLE JEFF'S RUSE, AND HOW IT SUCCEEDED 103-133

CHAPTER VI.

WE ARE SURPRISED BY THE INDIANS WHILE LEAVING THE HOUSE--BARTLE'S ADVICE--I AM PERSUADED TO ESCAPE ALONE--AN EXCITING PURSUIT--FOOD AND REST--MY JOURNEY RESUMED--AMONG THE MOUNTAINS--MY ANXIETY ABOUT MY FRIENDS--A WEARY DAY--AN INDIAN IN SIGHT--FRIEND OR ENEMY?--A RECOGNITION--WINNEMAK AND HIS BRAVES--I AM KINDLY TREATED--NO NEWS OF UNCLE JEFF--A SPY--WE START IN PURSUIT OF HIM--THE SPY OVERTAKEN--A DEADLY COMBAT--WINNEMAK OVERCOMES PIOMINGO--IS HE DEAD?--MY INTERCESSION--ON THE WAY FOR WINNEMAK'S CAMP 134-157

CHAPTER VII.

ON THE MARCH--WINNEMAK UNABLE TO GIVE ME NEWS OF MY FRIENDS--MY ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF PIOMINGO--ENCAMPED FOR THE NIGHT--WE REACH WINNEMAK'S CAMP--BRAVES AND SQUAWS--WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS?--WINNEMAK AND HIS IDOLS--A PARTY OF BRAVES ARRIVE, WITH PRISONERS--MAYSOTTA AND HER DOG--A STRANGE MEETING--THE LIEUTENANT'S STORY--WE START IN QUEST OF CLARICE AND RACHEL--A FRUITLESS SEARCH--I LOSE MY FRIEND IN THE FOREST--TRYING TO REGAIN THE RIGHT PATH, I MEET WITH CLARICE AND MAYSOTTA--MY SISTER'S STORY--I TELL HER OF THE BURNING OF THE FARM--WE SET OUT FOR THE CAMP, AND MEET WITH THE LIEUTENANT--NIGHT COMING ON, WE ENCAMP IN THE FOREST--RESUMING OUR JOURNEY IN THE MORNING, WE REACH THE CAMP IN SAFETY 158-188

CHAPTER VIII.

I SEEK OUT PIOMINGO--A STRONG DESIRE TO SAVE HIS LIFE--I PLEAD WITH THE CHIEF, AND GAIN MY POINT--I OFFER THE YOUNG BRAVE MY HORSE AND ARMS--KINDNESS REQUITED--THE INDIAN'S ESCAPE--A DARING ACT, AND A KIND DEED--WE SEEK PROTECTION FROM THE INDIANS--RETURN OF UNCLE JEFF AND MAYSOTTA--AN ADDRESS TO THE BRAVES--HOW IT SUCCEEDED--UNCLE JEFF'S STORY--THE LIEUTENANT ABOUT TO LEAVE US--HIS PLANS--WE SEND OUT SCOUTS--ALARMING INTELLIGENCE--THE CAMP STRUCK--WE MOVE TO THE NORTHWARD--WE CHANGE OUR PLANS--A WONDERFUL REGION--WE SEPARATE FROM OUR INDIAN FRIENDS--THROUGH A PINE FOREST--THE CATARACT OF THE PASS--WE SEND BACK OUR HORSES--OUR JOURNEY CONTINUED--A "CANADA STAG" KILLED--ENCAMPED FOR THE NIGHT 189-216

CHAPTER IX.

WE CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS, AND ENCAMP IN A FERTILE VALLEY--HUNT ELK IN COMPANY WITH A PANTHER--I SPOIL THE SPORT OF THE LATTER--UNCLE JEFF WOUNDS AN ELK, WHICH IS LOST DOWN A PRECIPICE--MORE FORTUNATE AFTERWARDS--UNCLE JEFF RESOLVES TO REMAIN WITH CLARICE, RACHEL, AND PAT, WHILE MANLEY, THE SERGEANT, AND I PUSH ON--DIFFICULTIES IN CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS--MANLEY IN FEARFUL DANGER--HE ESCAPES--DESCEND TOWARDS A BROAD VALLEY--ITS WONDERFUL APPEARANCE--WE ENCAMP--THE SERGEANT NEARLY SCALDS HIS FINGERS IN A TEMPTING SPRING--CURIOUS PHENOMENON--DREADFUL NOISES OF WILD BEASTS DISTURB OUR SLUMBERS 217-238

CHAPTER X.

ADVANCE TOWARDS A BEAUTIFUL LAKE--HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS MET WITH--BOILING MUD POTS--CURIOUS BASINS FORMED BY WATER IN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN--LOVELY FRETWORK ROUND THEIR RIMS--NEARLY SINK INTO A BOILING MUD POOL--THE LAKE REACHED--ABUNDANCE OF GAME, AND FISH--BUILD A RAFT--BEGIN VOYAGE ACROSS LAKE--VIOLENT STORM--IN GREAT DANGER--DRIVEN ACROSS THE LAKE--WE CLING TO TREES WHILE THE RAFT IS DASHED TO PIECES--MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH THE FOREST--I MISS MY COMPANIONS, AND LOSE MY GUN AND KNAPSACK OVER A PRECIPICE--REACH FOOT OF MOUNTAIN--I CAMP WITHOUT SUPPER OR FIRE 239-265

CHAPTER XI.

ALONE IN THE FOREST--AWAKENED BY THE CRY OF A PANTHER--THE BRUTE DISCOVERS ME--I TAKE REFUGE IN A TREE--THE PANTHER DISAPPEARS--A VISIT TO THE LAKE--VAIN EFFORTS TO RECOVER MY RIFLE AND KNAPSACK--I CONTINUE TOWARDS THE WEST, HOPING TO MEET MY FRIENDS--MORE SULPHUR SPRINGS--NEARLY OVERWHELMED BY A MUD VOLCANO--A POISONOUS VALLEY--CAUGHT IN A SNOW-STORM--BUILD A HUT--MY FARE, THISTLE ROOTS--MAKE TRAPS AND A FISHING-LINE--SALLY FORTH--CATCH THREE BEAVERS--FIND ANOTHER LAKE--SALMON-TROUT CAUGHT--CONTINUE DOWN A RIVER, AND COME UPON A NUMBER OF MAGNIFICENT GEYSERS--AM ABOUT TO TAKE UP MY ABODE IN A GROTTO, WHEN A HOT SPRING RISES FROM IT--I SHIFT MY QUARTERS--PREPARE FOR ANOTHER SOLITARY NIGHT--I HEAR A SHOT, AND A WOUNDED DEER BOUNDS NEAR ME 266-288

CHAPTER XII.

I KILL THE DEER--MORE WONDERS--MEET MANLEY AND SERGEANT CUSTIS AT LAST--A PLEASANT EVENING--PARCHED WITH THIRST AMIDST SPARKLING STREAMS--OUR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS--SAFE ARRIVAL AT FORT HARWOOD--WELCOMED BY THE COMMANDANT--AN EXPEDITION ORGANIZED TO DRIVE THE INDIANS FROM THE COUNTRY--MANLEY COMMANDS IT--I ACCOMPANY HIM--MEET BARNEY AND KLITZ, STILL BOUND FOR CALIFORNIA--BARNEY GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR ESCAPE--THEIR JOURNEY STOPPED--THEY RETURN WITH US--WE MEET PIOMINGO AND HIS SQUAW--TELLS US THAT HE HAS BURIED THE WAR-HATCHET--HEAR AN ALARMING ACCOUNT OF BARTLE--ASCEND THE MOUNTAIN TO WHERE WE LEFT UNCLE JEFF--FIND HIM AND CLARICE WELL--HE HAS OBTAINED A LARGE SUPPLY OF PELTRIES--OUR RETURN TO WINNEMAK'S CAMP--MAYSOTTA ACCOMPANIES CLARICE TO ROARING WATER 289-309

CHAPTER XIII.

ON OUR WAY WE VISIT PIOMINGO--HE TELLS US OF BARTLE'S CAPTIVITY, AND OFFERS TO ASSIST US IN HIS RECOVERY--GIDEON, PIOMINGO, AND I SET OUT, FOLLOWED BY A STRONG PARTY UNDER SERGEANT CUSTIS--WE DISCOVER THE TRAIL, AND FOLLOW IT UP--HORRIBLE CRUELTIES PRACTISED BY INDIANS ON THEIR PRISONERS--THE TRAIL LEADS ALONG THE MOUNTAIN--WE SEE A FIGURE ABOVE US--IT IS BARTLE--IS HE ALIVE?--JUST IN TIME--GIDEON AND I STAY BY HIM--I AFTERWARDS SET OFF TO OBTAIN HELP--PIOMINGO HAS SENT A LITTER--WE ARRIVE SAFE AT ROARING WATER--HARD AT WORK REBUILDING THE HOUSE--A FORT ESTABLISHED--BARNEY AND KLITZ JOIN US--A VISIT FROM MANLEY--A PROPOSAL, AND CONFESSION--UNCLE JEFF APPROVES OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF MANLEY AND CLARICE--WINNEMAK AND PIOMINGO BECOME CHRISTIANS, AND INSTRUCT THEIR PEOPLE--THE HOUSE REBUILT--SETTLERS GATHER ROUND US, AND UNCLE JEFF'S FARM BECOMES THE MOST FLOURISHING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD 310-333

IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.