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With a blazing torch in hand Arlos advanced toward the bear. Page 88.
LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
A STORY OF ADVENTURE IN THE
ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
BY EDWARD S. ELLIS,
Author of "Adrift in the Wilds" "A Young Hero," "A Jaunt
Through Java," "The Young Scout," etc., etc.
WITH FIVE PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY GEORGE G. WHITE.
YORK:
A, L, BUKT, PUBLISHER.
THE"
ITBUO LI
Affl
B L
Copyright, 1898, by A, L. Burt
LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
BY EDWARD S. ELLIS.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
Westward Ho! 1
CHAPTER II.
At the Miners' Delight. . . 11
CHAPTER III.
Arlos and his Guide 24
CHAPTER IV.
On Guard 38
CHAPTER V.
A Lucky Shot . . 50
CHAPTER VI.
Further Into the Wilds 64
CHAPTER VII.
A Monarch of the Wilderness 73
CHAPTER VIII.
A Great Exploit 85
CHAPTER IX.
A Strange Peril 98
CHAPTER X.
Ra-lo-no HI
CHAPTER XI.
Interesting News 125
CHAPTER XII.
A " Bad Man.". 138
iv CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII. PAGE
The Cainp of the Enemy. 152
CHAPTER XIV.
A Tragedy 166
CHAPTER XV.
An Unpleasant Discovery 180
CHAPTER XVI.
In the House of Friends 191
CHAPTER XVII.
The Crotalus 203
CHAPTER XVIII.
On the Trail 219
CHAPTER XIX.
The Medicine Man 228
CHAPTER XX.
The Signal Fire 237
CHAPTER XXI.
The Gold Hunters 244
CHAPTER XXII.
All Ready 264
CHAPTER XXIII.
Conclusion. . ........ , 271
LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
CHAPTEE I.
WESTWARD HO !
f
IT is not often that a vigorous young man devoted
to athletic sports and pastimes, fond of fishing and
hunting, and a fine horseman, injures his health on
account of too close application to study ; but that
is precisely what occurred in the case of Arlos Hay-
man when he was only eighteen years of age.
Arlos found, upon going back to his studies in
the civil engineering school one autumn, that he
had fallen woefully behind his class. He was so
humiliated that he set his teeth with the grim reso-
lution that he would forswear all amusement and
exercise until he had fully made up his deficiencies.
And he did it. He pulled up to the head of his
class, only in the hour of triumph to collapse
utterly. Had he not been accustomed to active,
outdoor life, this might not have happened.
His condition was alarming. Heroic measures
were all that could save him.
,
>
2 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
His father called upon Dr. Kleinman, the family
physician.
The doctor listened with the interest he always
showed in his patients. He and the banker, Mr.
Hay man, had been intimate friends for years, and
the doctor was specially fond of young Hayman,
who was named for him. He asked several incisive
questions and then gave his decision.
" There's but one thing to be done. From what
you have told me he is in a bad way. Accustomed
from boyhood to fresh air and rugged exercise, he
has almost committed suicide by his cessation of
everything of that nature. He has taken all the
strength from his body and thrown the terrific
strain upon his brain. It can't stand it. He must
cease to use his brain, and rebuild his con-
stitution."
" But, doctor," said the elder Hayman, " Arlos
feels a repugnance to physical exertion that
amounts to disgust. I cannot persuade him to take
his gun in hand, or to indulge in any of the sports
of which he used to be so fond."
"That is natural, and only emphasizes what I
have said about the urgent need of the change
recommended."
"How would a trip to Europe do ?"
" Ordinarily it would be a capital tonic, but it
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 3
won't serve in his case. At the end of a week he
will be on the other side of the Atlantic. What
inducement would he find there for exercise, the
one thing which he needs ? He would be in danger
of falling into dissipation and wouldn't live a week.
JSTo ; a trip to Europe will not answer."
" Then you recommend a long sea voyage?"
" In many cases that would be just the thing, but
it will not do for Arlos. The routine life on board
a sailing ship would become unbearable. The sea
air is beneficial and for a time he would improve,
but he can't attempt to play sailor. He is too
weak to begin. At the end of a month he would
probably be as bad if not worse than when he left
home. It will not answer."
" Doctor, you hold out no hope," said his caller
despairingly.
" You mistake me ; Arlos can be made himself in
the course of a few months. The path to perfect
health is plainly marked before him."
" Will you point it out ?"
" Your boy is fond of hunting. Send him to the
far West ; to the Sierras or the Rocky Mountains,
to spend several months. He will find royal game,
he will live out of doors, he will be away from
books, he will breathe ozone, he will have a touch
of dangerous adventure that will put him on his
4 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
mettle, he will form a love for the stir and excite-
ment of such a life, and when he comes back to you
he will be well, just what he ought to be, a strong,
sturdy, manly young fellow."
" I see the wisdom of your counsel, doctor, but I
fear Arlos cannot be persuaded to adopt the treat-
ment ; the medicine is too distasteful. His antipathy
to all manner of physical exertion is too deep-seated
to be overcome."
" There can be no trouble about arranging that,"
remarked Dr. Kleinman in so cheery a voice that
his caller insensibly imbibed the hopeful feeling.
" I have had just as bad cases. It is now about the
close of my office hours, and I will go around to
your home with you. I wish to have an interview
with this young gentleman."
Arlos Hayman was reclining on the lounge in the
sitting-room, his mother and sister Miriam his only
companions. He was pale, thin, weak, with lack-
luster eyes. His courteous nature and breeding
caused him to rise and extend his hand in friendly
greeting to his friend, who saw that the slight effort
was exhausting
When the way had been fairly paved the doctor
told Arlos that he had arranged an excursion for him.
Noticing the disappointed expression that immedi-
ately came over the wan countenance, the physician
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 5
added with an air and voice of heartiness that could
not offend the most whimsical patient :
"It doesn't make a whit of difference to me
whether you like it or not ; that doesn't enter into
the question. You've got to do as I say ; do you
hear that, young man ?"
" I learned long ago, doctor, that there's little use
of disputing you."
" Yery well, sir ; don't forget that fact. Mrs.
Hay man, how long will it take you to pack up this
boy's traps, so as to bundle him off for several
months' absence?"
" Why," replied the surprised mother, " I pre-
sume we could do it to-morrow."
" Yery well, do it. Perhaps it's rather too late
to begin to-night, but to-morrow complete the job.
Miriam can give some help, I suppose, by taking a
seat in a convenient chair and making criticisms.
As for Arlos, make him work. Don't let him
deceive you ; he has an excellent Winchester ; let
him see that that is in shape."
" But for what purpose ?" asked Arlos, interested,
but a little startled.
"To-morrow night you will take the train for
San Francisco, but you're not going there."
" Then why board that train ?"
" Don't be impertinent, young man," replied the
f{ LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
doctor, with an assumption of severity which
deceived no one. "You will leave the train at
some point this side of the Rocky mountains. Den-
ver will be a good station, for it is not far from
that range. Leaving the railway at that point, push
to the north or northwest, and never stop until you
are in the heart of the wildest regions on this conti-
nent."
" And what then ?" asked Arlos, amused in spite
of himself.
" Go to shooting grizzly bears, antelope, deer and
wolves, scalping an Indian now and then to give
variety to the thing; take a look round for any
gold or silver mines that may have been lost ; don't
be too rough with the ' bad men ' that }^ou may run
against ; sleep outdoors, climb mountains, plow
through snowdrifts, swim mountain torrents, and
well, lots of other things that will occur to vou."
ty
The face of the doctor was so serious that every
one laughed. He turned toward Arlos and said
severely :
" Well, sir, what have you to say ?"
" I don't see that it will do anv erood for me to
** CJ
say anything. My wishes have not been consulted
in the matter," replied Arlos.
" Of course not, for you have no business to have
any wishes. It's a piece of impudence on your part
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 7
to presume anything of the kind. You have twenty-
four hours to make your preparations. I shall
come, round to-morrow evening, and if I find you
here well, sir, you will regret it."
Arlos Hayman looked appealingly at his father
and mother. If they had given him so much as a
glance of encouragement he would have rebelled.
The youth uttered a dismal, half-comical sigh.
"I'll do it if it kills me."
" If it kills you ?" repeated the doctor. " It will
save you ! It will bring you back at the end of a
year a strong, healthy, rugged youth ; though, if I
may add a recommendation, it is that after you
have slain all the grizzly bears, wolves, and hostile
red men this side of the Sierras, you continue your
journey to San Francisco, and there embark for
India or Australia, and make a circuit of the world.
In that case, I should feel sure that in picking up
your health again you will also imbibe some com-
mon sense and won't make such a fool of vourselt'
\i
as you have during the past year."
The physician rose to depart. Stepping across
the room to the lounge, he took the flaccid hand of
the former athlete within his own.
" My dear boy, I have not the slightest doubt that
vou will make this iournev to the West preciselv as
- v v *
I have outlined it."
8 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
" Why are you so confident, doctor ?" asked Arlos,
who was on his feet, with a greater display of
energy than he had yet shown.
" Because you have given me your promise. You
are my namesake. You scorn a lie as much as I do.
You will keep your pledge, though it kills you,
which it won't do."
The doctor was tactful in uttering these words.
He feared that his young friend, when he came to
think more deliberately over what was certainly a
serious undertaking, would be frightened, and seek
to draw back. He therefore put the boy upon
his honor, knowing how exalted his moral sense
was.
An encouraging feature of the situation was the
interest which Arlos showed in the discussion of the
theme after the departure of the physician. He sat
erect and laughed when his sister Miriam recalled
several of the mirthful stories told by the physician,
and began to speculate over the expedition upon
which he had resolved to embark.
He admitted that only a brief while before he
had been urged by his old friend, Dolph Bushkirk,
who had lived a number of years in Denver, to
spend several weeks with him on a hunt among the
mountains. The excursion was wonderfully en-
chanting to Arlos, and it was only his desire to
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 9
complete his studies that prevented his accepting
the invitation.
He would have preferred to write to his friend
and learn whether he could join him in the jaunt,
but that would involve a delay of more than a week
at the least, and Dr. Kleinman would not listen to it.
"I will telegraph to Dolph to-morrow," said
Arlos, "and let him know when to look for me. If
an} 7 thing prevents his joining me I shall have to
pick up some one else."
" Of course," remarked his mother, trying to con-
ceal her solicitude, " you will not venture into those
frightful solitudes alone."
The son laughed.
"The solitudes are by no means so frightful as
they seem to you, mother. The Union Pacific Kail-
way has been completed for several years. The
country is settling fast, and we shall have to go a
long way from Denver to reach the wild country
that the doctor insists shall be my home for an
indefinite time to come."
" But what about the Indians ?" asked the alarmed
Miriam.
The ring of laughter with which Arlos greeted
this question filled the hearts of his parents with
" Some years ago and not so very many either
10 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
there might have been good cause for your ques-
tion, but the red men don't enter into any account
now. They are all at peace with the United
States."
" Still there are bad characters among them," the
father thought it wise to remark.
" So there are hundreds and thousands of bad
characters right here in the city of New York. I
would rather meet the worst Indians in the most
remote regions of the Northwest than many white
persons that can be found within a block of where
we are sitting this minute."
As Dr. Kleinman had promised, he called at the
home of the Havmans the following evening to in-
IX
quire about Arlos. He was told that he was already
several hundred miles on the road to the Pacific
slope.
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 11
CHAPTEE II.
AT THE MINERS' DELIGHT.
AELOS HAYMAN was surprised and delighted by a
discovery which grew upon him, after he had bid-
den his parents and sister good-by and started for
the great West. His interest in the expedition con-
tinually increased, and he found himself looking
forward to the few weeks or months he expected to
spend in the mountains with the keenest anticipa-
tion of enjoyment.
He was still weak and easily fatigued, but felt
decidedly better by the time he reached Chicago,
and leaving the train, enjoyed a few hours' ramble
about the Lake City, which he had never before
visited.
But he was eager to be on his way and was soon
hurrying westward again.
At Denver his first disappointment met him. As
joyous and hopeful as a child, he did not wait till
the train had stopped, but leaped out upon the plat-
form and looked expectantly around for his old
friend, Dolph Bushkirk,
12 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
" Hello, Arlos, I hardly knew you !"
Young Hayman turned to greet not a youth like
himself, but a bearded man, whom he recognized as
Mr. Bushkirk, the father of Adolphus. The gentle-
man shook him warmly by the hand and showed
by his looks that he was startled at the greatly
altered appearance of his young friend.
" Where is Dolph ?" asked Arlos. " There's noth-
ing wrong with him, I hope."
" Nothing at all, I am glad to say, but it was
most unfortunate that your telegram was delayed.
My carriage is waiting and we will talk as we ride
homeward.
"I believe Dolph wrote to you a couple of
months ago, proposing that you should join him on
a hunting excursion ?" added Mr. Bushkirk, after
entering the vehicle.
" Yes ; I was tempted to join him, but I had fallen
behind in my studies and was determined to catch
up if it cost my life, and it came near doing so," ex-
plained Arlos. " But where is Dolph ?"
" Away. I received your telegram and opened it.
I did not repty because I feared it might prevent
your coming. I do not expect Dolph back for a
number of weeks ; perhaps not for months."
" Where is he ?"
" He started last week for a hunt in the moun-
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 13
tains. Almost his last words expressed his regret
that you could not go with him."
" Too bad !" commented the disappointed Arlos ;
" by that I mean it is too bad for me, for it is my
loss as it is my fault. He urged me to go with him,
but I declined so decisively that he did not repeat
the invitation."
"Yes, Dolph and a friend named Yarnum Brown,
a veteran hunter ; took the stage to Central City.
There they will procure horses and push on toward
the headwaters of the Grand River, which is one of
the wildest regions in the Rocky Mountains. I
have heard such stories of the canyon of the Grand
River that I was tempted to go with them, though
they are not likely to see that wonderful place.
The sources of Green River and the Platte are not
very far to the north, and one is sure to meet the
most royal game on the American continent."
" I wonder whether there is any hope of my over-
taking Dolph and his friend?"
" Since they have had a week's start it is hardly
possible, unless some accident has befallen them.
They are in no hurry and yet have no cause to lag ;
but inasmuch as you are both aiming for the same
region, it seems to me you have reason for looking
for a meeting with Dolph, before either of you
returns."
14 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
" It is a big hunting territory."
" So it is, covering thousands of square miles.
There are other white men and a few Indians in
the mountains, and you may never get within
sight of where Brown and Dolph are trying to
thin out the game. Of course you will not go
alone ?"
" I would not think of it ; I will need a moun-
taineer of experience, who is acquainted with the
country, the game and the inhabitants ; but where
shall I find a guide of that kind ?"
Mr c Bushkirk had a large family, consisting of
four girls and three boys, all of whom with the ex-
ception of the eldest, were at home. They had
been friends and neighbors of the Haymans
before moving West, so that Arlos was among old
acquaintances.
That evening the plans of the visitor were dis-
cussed, and a line of action agreed upon. The
youth was to make his way on the morrow with his
gun and baggage to Central City. There he would
wait until he could find a trustworthy guide whom he
could engage to accompany him into the mountains.
They would try to hunt up Dolph Bushkirk and
his companion, but would not neglect the real errand
-the pursuit of health and recreation which took
Arlos thither.
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 15
The first part of this scheme was carried out to
the letter. The time of which I am writing was
not long after the completion of the railway across
the continent, when hundreds of the thriving towns
and cities of the West were not dreamed of, and
many vast, dismal solitudes were yet unbroken by
the feet of the pioneer.
It was late in the afternoon of a bright, invigor-
ating spring day that Arlos Hay man, who was
the only passenger in the ramshackle coach,
descended in front of the Miners' Delight, with
the intention of staying perhaps for two or three
days.
In the long, rough ride thither, he shared the
front seat with 'Val Perkins, the driver, from whom
he gathered much interesting information. He
learned that Dolph Bushkirk and Yarnum Brown
had ridden with him just six days previous over the
same route. They had stayed at the Miners' Delight
one night and part of the next day, when, having
brought a couple of tough little ponies, they set out
for the mountains to the northwest.
The driver did not know their precise destination,
but thought Belix Jenkins, the landlord, might be
able to give his passenger a pointer or two.
Among other things Arlos learned a great deal
concerning Central City itself, so that he showed
16 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
no disappointment or surprise when he found that
the "city' consisted of barely a score of rude
shanties, among which the Miners' Delight was the
one and onlv inn where travelers could obtain the
/
rudest kind of accommodations. The lower floor
consisted of two rooms, of which the largest con-
tained the bar, where most of the city assembled
each evening to smoke, drink, gamble, talk, and
occasionally to exchange revolver shots.
Belix Jenkins, the landlord, was a burlv Mis-
/ 'a/
sourian, six feet three in his stockings, with the
strength of an ox, and the courage of a lion. He
lived in the rear lower room, while two small
apartments upstairs, reached by the help of a slop-
ing ladder, were reserved for the guests who at
rare intervals came that way.
The quarters were anything but inviting to Arlos,
but he had good sense and tact, and could accom-
modate himself to circumstances. He was prepared
to make the best of everything and offend no one,
unless such a person was bent on having trouble.
Inasmuch as no person would undertake to carry
a large trunk around with him while hunting in the
mountains, Arlos meant to leave his at the Miners'
Delight, against his return. Such articles as were
indispensable could be carried on the back of the
horse he intended to buy.
LOST IN THE ROCKIES. 1?
He was satisfied from the careful inquiries he
made that Belix Jenkins, though rough, combative,
and poorly educated, was, like many of his class,
honest and trustworthy. The stage driver, in the
course of the conversation, incidentally told how
two tourists, on their way to the mountains, left
five thousand dollars in money, beside a quantitv of
valuable jewelry, with the proprietor of the Miners'
Delight. They never returned, and some months
after their departure it was learned that both had
been killed by Indians.
They had not left instructions with Jenkins as to
what he should do with their property in the event
of their death, and he had no means of learning
o
who their friends were. He was advised to ap-
propriate to his own use the windfall which had
thus come to him.
He refused to entertain the thought. He made
a journey to Denver, and deposited the money and
jewelry in the bank, where he swore it should
remain until the crack of doom unless the legal
heirs came forward and proved their claims.
That night, after finishing his supper of ex-
cellent game, Arlos told the land lord that he had a
thousand dollars which he desired to leave with him.
" I don't see what use I can make of money in
the mountains," explained the youth, " and I shall
18 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
be likely to lose it. I wish to hire a guide to go with
me, to buy a couple of ponies, and then, reserving
a little money for possible contingencies, I wish to
place the rest with my trunk and extra baggage in
your charge."
" I'll take it on one condition," replied the land-
lord, who, having no family of his own, was seated
at the table with his solitary guest.
" What's that ?"
" That you don't try any such low-down trick as
them two Englishmen that was here summer before
last played on me."
" What did they do ?"
"Went off and got skulped by Injins; didn't
leave me any directions as to what I should do,
and consequently caused me a thunderin' lot of
trouble."
" I shall certainly do my best to keep out of such
a hole ; but if anything should happen to me, you'll
find full directions inside of my trunk, which you
can open with this key."
" All right," replied the landlord, shoving the
implement into his pocket ; " it's a go."
" Now," went on Arlos, " what about the horses ?"
" I will see that you get what you want. Some
of the boys may try to work off their old plugs on
you, but leave the matter with me."
LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
" I will be glad to do so. More important than
the animals is the hiring of the right sort of guide."
Belix Jenkins had left the bar in charge of his
assistant, so he was in no hurry to return. He lit
his pipe, and looked thoughtfully at the ceiling,
made of rough planking.
" There's only one man in Central City that I
could recommend, and I ain't sure that I can
recommend him, or that if I done so, you could get
him."
" Tell me about him."
" The chap I have in mind is Budd Slogan.
There ain't a better hunter and mountaineer
between the Missouri and Rio Grande. He
traveled for vears with Kit Carson, and was his
m>
equal all the way through. He sarved a couple of
years in the Confederate army, and is in the prime
of life."
" What is the objection to him ?"
" Wai, in the fust place, Budd has got it into his
head that there's bushels of gold in the mountain
side which the same may be the fact and he
wants to put in his time hunting for that. How-
sumever, I guess you can get him to postpone that
bus'ness for awhile, if you pay him purty well."
" How much ought I to offer him for his services
as guide and hunter?"
20 LOST IN THE ROCKIES.
"How long do you expect to be in the moun-
tains ?"
" I cannot say positively, but I should guess about
a month or six weeks."
" A hundred dollars a month is good pay."
" I will be glad to do better than that."
"Would you be willing to give him, say, one
hundred and fifty a month ?"
" Quite. Suppose I offer him four hundred dol-
lars for the job, with the understanding that it
shan't last longer than two months, or, if it does, I
shall pay him at the same rate ?"
" That'll fix him dead to rights. The chance is
too good for him to throw away."
"And I'll give him half of it in advance;
and "
"No, you won't. You won't give him a cent
until he gets back," interrupted the landlord