bout in all directions, at
the no small risk of setting fire to garments of a lighter texture than
ours. Although the flowers were blooming on the hill-sides, in the
woods and valleys, and by the margins of the streams; humming-birds were
flitting about gathering their dainty food; and the bears, having
finished the operation of licking their paws, had come out in search of
more substantial fare; and the buffalo had been seen migrating to the
north,--the wind at night blew keenly from off the snow-capped
mountain-tops which, at no great distance, rose above us, and rendered a
fire acceptable even to us hardy backwoodsmen.

Our location was far in advance of any settlement in that latitude of
North America, for Uncle Jeff Crockett "could never abide," he averred,
"being in the rear of his fellow-creatures." Whenever he had before
found people gathering around him at the spot where he had pitched his
tent, or rather, put up his log-hut, he had sold his property (always to
advantage, however), and yoking his team, had pushed on westward, with a
few sturdy followers.

On and on he had come, until he had reached the base of the Rocky
Mountains. He would have gone over them, but, having an eye to
business, and knowing that it was necessary to secure a market for his
produce, he calculated that he had come far enough for the present. He
therefore climbed the sides of the mountain for a short distance, until
he entered a sort of canon, which, penetrating westward, greatly
narrowed, until it had the appearance of a cleft with lofty crags on
either side,--while it opened out eastward, overlooking the broad valley
and the plain beyond.

He chose the spot as one capable of being defended against the Redskins,
never in those parts very friendly to white men,--especially towards
those whom they found settling themselves on lands which they looked
upon as their own hunting-grounds, although they could use them for no
other purpose.

Another reason which had induced Uncle Jeff to select this spot was,
that not far off was one of the only practicable passes through the
mountains either to the north or south, and that the trail to it led
close below us at the foot of the hills, so that every emigrant train or
party of travellers going to or from the Great Salt Lake or California
must pass in sight of the house.

A stream, issuing from the heights above, fell over the cliffs, forming
a roaring cataract; and then, rushing through