Queen of the Cañon.
"Oh, anywhere before dark, easy."
"Well, we'll see if you can make it."
"Oh, I'll make it, or break a trace!"
The "pretty good road" between Glenwood and Newcastle had recently been traversed by a herd of cattle and seemed the paradise of loose stones. The Grand was muddy, as it frequently is, from the mining on the Blue River and a recent storm. But there is enough beauty in the scenery to compensate one for the roughness of the road, which Joshua seemed to make more rugged by hitting all the rocks in the way.
When we reached Newcastle, Joshua drove up to the hotel and the landlord put in an appearance.
"Why do you stop here, Mr. Miles?" inquired the Major.
"This is a good place to stop, and I thought you said you'd stop here to-night and take a fresh start in the mornin'?"
"We purpose to have an outing, Mr. Miles, and although the hotel may be excellent, we will go into camp just below here on Elk Creek."
There was a decisiveness about the Major's tones not to be misunderstood. Mr. Miles turned around to get a better view.