ind something in it.
We all wash our own clothes, and as my stock is so small, some part of
every day has to be spent at the wash tub. Politeness and propriety
always prevail in our mixed company, and though various grades of
society are represented, true democratic equality prevails, not its
counterfeit, and there is neither forwardness on one side nor
condescension on the other.

Evans left for Denver ten days ago, taking his wife and family to the
Plains for the winter, and the mirth of our party departed with him.
Edwards is somber, except when he lies on the floor in the evening, and
tells stories of his march through Georgia with Sherman. I gave Evans
a 100-dollar note to change, and asked him to buy me a horse for my
tour, and for three days we have expected him. The mail depends on
him. I have had no letters from you for five weeks, and can hardly
curb my impatience. I ride or walk three or four miles out on the
Longmount trail two or three times a day to look for him. Others, for
different reasons, are nearly equally anxious. After dark we start at
every sound, and every time the dogs bark all the able-bodied of us
turn out en masse. "Wait for the wagon" has become a nearly maddening
joke.

October 9.

The letter and newspaper fever has seized on every one. We have sent
at last to Longmount. The evening I rode out on the Longmount trail
towards dusk, escorted by "Mountain Jim," and in the distance we saw a
wagon with four horses and a saddle horse behind, and the driver waved
a handkerchief, the concerted signal if I were the possessor of a
horse. We turned back, galloping down the long hill as fast as two
good horses could carry us, and gave the joyful news. It was an hour
before the wagon arrived, bringing not Evans but two "campers" of
suspicious aspect, who have pitched their camp close to my cabin! You
cannot imagine what it is to be locked in by these mountain walls, and
not to know where your letters are lying. Later on, Mr. Buchan, one of
our usual inmates, returned from Denver with papers, letters for every
one but me, and much exciting news. The financial panic has spread out
West, gathering strength on its way. The Denver banks have all
suspended business. They refuse to cash their own checks, or to allow
their customers to draw a dollar, and would not even give green-backs
for my English gold! Neither Mr. Buchan nor Evans could get a cent.
Business is suspended, and everybody