The Proprietor Of The Little Log Hotel
That Is Only A Short Distance Up The River, Told Captain Spencer That
We Had Gone Down Six Good Miles - Giving Us A Tramp Altogether, Of
Twelve Miles.
It seems incredible, for not one of us could walk one
half that distance in less rarefied air.
Just below the big falls, and of course very near our camp, is a
nature study that we find most interesting. An unusually tall pine
tree has grown up from between the boulders at the edge of the river.
The tree is now dead and its long branches have fallen off, but a few
outspreading short ones are still left, and right in the center of
these a pair of eagles have built a huge nest, and in that nest, right
now, are two dear eaglets! The tree is some distance from the top of
the cliff, but it is also lower, otherwise we would not have such a
fine view of the nest and the big babies. They look a little larger
than mallard ducks, and are well feathered. They fill the nest to
overflowing, and seem to realize that if they move about much, one
would soon go overboard. The two old birds - immense in size - can be
seen soaring above the nest at almost any time, but not once have we
seen them come to the nest, although we have watched with much
patience for them to do so. The great wisdom shown by those birds in
the selection of a home is wonderful. It would be utterly impossible
for man or beast to reach it.
Another nature study that we have seen in the park, and which, to me,
was most wonderful, was a large beaver village. Of course most people
of the Northwest have seen beaver villages of various sizes, but that
one was different, and should be called a city. There were elevated
roads laid off in squares that run with great precision from one
little house to the other. There are dozens and dozens of
houses - perhaps a hundred - in the marshy lake, and the amount of
intelligence and cunning the little animals have shown in the
construction of their houses and elevated roads is worth studying.
They are certainly fine engineers.
We take the road home from here, but go a much more direct route,
which will be by ambulance all the way to Fort Ellis, instead of going
by the cars from Mammoth Hot Springs. I am awfully glad of this, as it
will make the trip one day longer, and take us over a road that is new
to us, although it is the direct route from Ellis to the Park through
Rocky Canon.
FORT ELLIS, MONTANA TERRITORY,
November, 1884.
ONLY a few days more, and then we will be off for the East! It is over
seven years since we started from Corinne on that long march north,
and I never dreamed at that time that I would remain right in this
territory, until a splendid railroad would be built to us from another
direction to take us out of it. Nearly everything is packed. We expect
to return here in the spring, but in the Army one never knows what
destiny may have waiting for them at the War Department. Besides, I
would not be satisfied to go so far away and leave things scattered
about.
The two horses, wagons, and everything of the kind have been disposed
of - not because we wanted to sell them, but because Faye was unwilling
to leave the horses with irresponsible persons during a long winter in
this climate, when the most thoughtful care is absolutely necessary to
keep animals from suffering. Lieutenant Gallagher of the cavalry
bought them, and we are passing through our second experience of
seeing others drive around horses we have petted, and taught to know
us apart from all others. George almost broke my heart the other day.
He was standing in front of Lieutenant Gallagher's quarters, that are
near ours, when I happened to go out on the walk, not knowing the
horses were there. He gave a loud, joyous whinnie, and started to come
to me, pulling Pete and the wagon with him. I ran back to the house,
for I could not go to him! He had been my own horse, petted and fed
lumps of sugar every day with my own hands, and I always drove him in
single harness, because his speed was so much greater than Pete's.
My almost gownless condition has been a cause of great worry to me,
but Pogue has promised to fix up my wardrobe with a rush, and after
the necessary time for that in Cincinnati, I will hurry on to Columbus
Barracks for my promised visit to Doctor and Mrs. Gordon. Then on
home! Faye will go to Cincinnati with me, and from there to the United
States Naval Home, of which his father is governor at present. I will
have to go there, too, before so very long.
We attended a pretty cotillon in Bozeman last evening and remained
overnight at the hotel. Faye led, and was assisted by Mr. Ladd, of
Bozeman. It was quite a large and elaborate affair, and there were
present "the butcher, the baker, and candlestick maker." Nevertheless,
everything was conducted with the greatest propriety. There are five
or six very fine families in the small place - people of culture and
refinement from the East - and their influence in the building up of
the town has been wonderful. The first year we were at Fort Ellis one
would see every now and then a number, usually four numerals, painted
in bright red on the sidewalk. Everyone knew that to have been the
work of vigilantes, and was a message to some gambler or horse thief
to get himself out of town or stand the shotgun or rope jury. The
first time I saw those red figures - I knew what they were for - it
seemed as if they had been made in blood, and step over them I could
not.
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