Glory is sought in curious places,
Over land and on the sea;
But these were its faintest traces—
So at least it seemed to me.
We were not as full of adventure as they; so we cut our names in the base of a smooth, red rock that towered far above us and came to a point like a spire.
While working here we noticed a small hole at the bottom of the same rock, just large enough for a man to crawl through; and upon examination we found that it was the entrance to a cave. The hole was smooth, and looked as though it had been used. It took some time to convince Will that the bear he had seen could not get in there. But at length we all concluded to enter the dark dungeon; so, after arming ourselves, we took a lantern and a few tallow candles and crawled in. After going but a few feet we could stand erect; and then, each with a light in his hand, we penetrated the cavern, which ran into the body of the solid rock. It was twenty feet high and ten feet wide, and so ascending that we were obliged to crawl upon our hands and knees as we proceeded. The floor was covered with dust from the rocks; and in this we could see many tracks, some imitating the wild cat and the panther. We did not know what we might come in contact with; but being full of curiosity we crawled on until we came to the end, which was fully twenty yards from the entrance. Here a small stream of water gushed forth from the side of the cavern, and, after running a short way, terminated in a small pool worn in the rocky floor, from which it sunk unperceived away. We tasted the water, and found it cool and pure; and in the lamplight it glittered like crystal. We now descended to the entrance, and looking carefully at the wall we found several names cut there, apparently some years since; and we registered there also, and then made our exit.
We had now seen all the curiosities of this beautiful garden, and prepared to leave. It is only possible to travel through the rugged mountains by way of the natural passes; and we were compelled to go out by the balancing rock—the way we entered. The road was rough and narrow; but we passed along, conversing of the great beauties of nature, and at sunset we stopped for the night upon our old camping-ground near Manitou.
During the evening we had conversations with several persons familiar with the surrounding country; and they gave a glowing account of the South Park, representing it to be a beautiful, open country, lying just over the Green Horn range, about forty-five miles from Manitou, and that it abounded with deer, antelope, elk, etc., and that a large bear had been killed but a few days before among the South Park pines. We were also informed that this was a favorite hunting-ground, and that small bands of Indians, who claimed the ground, were constantly wandering through the park in search of game; and considering white hunters trespassers, they often gave them much trouble. I had already seen many of the red race, could speak many words in their own tongue, and had become so used to their appearance that the quills and plumes did not scare me much; and the boys being delighted to hear of a country which afforded an opportunity to try their new guns, we determined to visit the place, notwithstanding a little danger.
CHAPTER II.
Start for South Park—Ute Pass—Rainbow Falls—South Park—Bear Fight—Leadville—Sallie Ray—Chimney Gulch—Trout-Fishing—Denver—Cheyenne—Black Hills—Bitter Creek—Antelope Springs—Wolf Adventure—Green River—Old Emigrant Road—Echo Canon—Utah—Park City—Ontario Mine—Quartz-Mill—Kinds of Mines—Prospecting—Start for Salt Lake.
The next morning we rose at the dawn of day, and after breakfast we filled our jug with soda-water and journeyed for South Park. There was but one accessible route from this place in that direction, and that was up through the famous Ute Pass.
We had gone about a mile up the pass when we came to the Rainbow Falls, to the left of the narrow road. The waters of a mountain stream roll over a precipice one hundred feet high; and as it dashes over the rough, projecting crags and is lashed into foam against the rocky sides, its roaring can be heard far up and down the pass. During the forenoon in summer the sun reaches this place, and, striking the crystal waters as they roll over a certain large rock, a most perfect and beautiful rainbow, with brightest tints, is reflected upon the rocks at the side of the chasm. Hence the name, “Rainbow Falls.” Tourists to Manitou are usually taken up here on burros.
The walls on either side of the pass were a couple of hundred feet high, and at some places almost met over our heads; and the gorge was so narrow that there were but few places where wagons could pass. It appears as though an all-wise Hand had hewed out this pass with an express design; for there would be no other possible way by which these rugged and towering mountains could be crossed. Though the way was yet rough and steep, we greatly appreciated our privilege.