ence of
it has yet appeared. A convention of the Republicans of Billings
County was held in the hall over Bill Williams's new saloon in Medora
on August 16th. Roosevelt did not attend it. Sylvane and "Wannigan"
had returned from Spearfish and Roosevelt was trying out one of the
new ponies at a round-up in the Big Ox Bow thirty miles to the south.

We have been delayed nearly a week by being forced to get
some extra ponies [he wrote his sister Anna on the 17th].
However, I was rather glad of it, as I wished to look
thoroughly through the cattle before going. To-morrow
morning early we start out. Merrifield and I go on
horseback, each taking a spare pony; which will be led
behind the wagon, a light "prairie schooner" drawn by two
stout horses, and driven by an old French Canadian. I wear a
sombrero, silk neckerchief, fringed buckskin shirt, sealskin
chaparajos or riding-trousers; alligator-hide boots; and
with my pearl-hilted revolver and beautifully finished
Winchester rifle, I shall feel able to face anything.

There is no question that Roosevelt's costume fascinated him. It was,
in fact, gorgeous beyond description.

How long I will be gone I cannot say; we will go in all
nearly a thousand miles. If game is plenty and my success is
good, I may return in six weeks; more probably I shall be
out a couple of months, and if game is so scarce that we
have to travel very far to get it, or if our horses give out
or run away, or we get caught by the snow, we may be out
very much longer--till toward Christmas; though I will try
to be back to vote.

Yesterday I rode seventy-two miles between dawn and
darkness; I have a superb roan pony, or rather horse; he
looks well with his beautifully carved saddle, plaited
bridle, and silver inlaid bit, and seems to be absolutely
tireless.

I grow very fond of this place, and it certainly has a
desolate, grim beauty of its own, that has a curious
fascination for me. The grassy, scantily wooded bottoms
through which the winding river flows are bounded by bare,
jagged buttes; their fantastic shapes and sharp, steep edges
throw the most curious shadows, under the cloudless, glaring
sky; and at evening I love to sit out in front of the hut
and see their hard, gray outlines gradually grow soft and
purple as the flaming su