Four Years in the Rockies

occurred that proved to me I was mistaken. One morning three Indians rode into town, each of them mounted on a Mustang, and leading another loaded with pelts. They were three of the finest Indians I had ever seen. One of them especially was a perfect giant. In fact he was known at the place as Big Injun. "'Sam,' said I, addressing one of the trappers, "'there's three Indians I think would be pretty hard to handle.'" "'Pooh!' said Sam, "'not a bit of it. See here, Cap,' continued he, "'I shall like to throw down the whole tribe, one order or another, at a dollar a head. I can make money, you bet. I'd pay ten for every one that throwed me. As for a fist and skull fight, Lord bless you, Cap, I could lick three Injuns every morning before breakfast, and only put out enough strength to give me an appetite.'" The trapper who had just concluded this speech was a man of about thirty years of age, a little above the medium height, well made, and as active as a wild cat. I thought thus a good opportunity to try if Sam's performance was equal to his boasting. "'See here, Sam,' said I, "'here's a chance to show what you can do. I will give you a dollar a head to throw down these Indians in a fair wrestle, providing you give me five dollars, if either of them throws you.' "'All right, Cap,' replied Sam, 'give me your hand on it. That's as good as three dollars in my pocket. Them's Comanches, though, and the best wrestlers on the plains.'" The bargain was soon made. The Indians, by the promise of some liquor, were soon induced to try their skill with a white man. Sam threw off his shot-bag, and, tightening his belt, declared himself ready. One of the Indians, throwing off his blanket, seemed equally anxious for the encounter. "'Now, Injun,' said Sam, 'what's your halt?' Without answering, the Indian walked up to Sam and placed both arms around him, and the two men took holds, known to wrestlers as Indian hug. The encounter did not last long. In a few seconds the Indian was laid on his back. Sam sprang to his feet and called for Number Two, who soon shared the same fate. The third, and most powerful of the three, threw off his blanket, slapped himself on the breast, and cried out, "'Now, try Big Injun! Me throw white man's shore!' Continued he, as his muscular arms encircled the form of the trapper. But Big Injun soon shared the fate of his companions, as after a few maneuvers he came to the ground with a thud that seemed as if it might break every bone in his body. "'Arr!' exclaimed Sam, accosting me. "'Arr's three dollars, made slick! Now cap, if you'll bring on the whole tribe, I'll serve them the same!' This circumstance convinced me that though trappers are fond of boasting of their exploits, they are fully able to perform all they profess to do. As in the course of this narrative we may have occasion to describe some of the trappers who were comrades of Mr. Rose, and who took part in many of his adventures, I wish my readers to be fully aware of the character of these men, and that their camp stories are not all idle boasting. A more hardy, fearless, improvident set of men can nowhere else be found. Mr. Isaac P. Rose differs, in a great many respects, from the ordinary trapper. He is an educated Christian gentleman, and although in describing his adventures he speaks confidently, he does it without boasting, and the whole tenor of his conversation on the subject goes to show that he was perfectly self-reliant, and had all confidence in his capability of carrying out whatever he had to do. THE AUTHOR CHAPTER I. IN WHICH WE PREPARE THE READER FOR COMING EVENTS. In writing a narrative of this description, where the incidents and adventures occur in a region so remote from civilization, and where the characters are so peculiar and uncommon, I think it would not be out of place to give a short description of the manners, habits, and customs of the Rocky Mountain Trapper. St. Louis is one of the principal depots in which these fur companies are formed, and the majority of men who join them are old hands, and understand the business, but raw recruits are often taken in, and are compelled for some time to occupy an inferior position. to watch the camp, cook, skin, and dress the game, stretch, and work.