42, WESTERN INCIDENTS.

scalps as trophies for the adornment of their wigwams ;
or might be planning an escapade for our stock; but
what matter—we all felt that innate sense of security and
reliance upon ourselves, which always accompanies a
wild and roving mountain life; and which, we felt confi-
dent, would enable us to cope successfully with five times
our number of these savage denizens of the forest.

Our “headquarters” had been furnished, through the
kindness of Col. Mizner, with two wedge tents, each cap-
able of sheltering and sleeping two persons comfortably ;
these were pitched near our wagon; and the wagons and
tents of our escort were distributed at a respectful dis-
tance in our rear. The General gave the necessary
instructions to the Sergeant in command of the escort,
respecting the careful picketing of our stock, and the
posting of the guard for the protection of our camp from
surprise during the night; and after we had indulged
in our most comfortable evening talk and smoke, by the
light of our waning camp-fire, we were admonished by the
cool evening air, and the noiseless quiet which reigned
around us, that it was time for us to retire to rest.

LONE; ROCK—ESCAPE OF AN ANTELOPE.

After an early breakfast the following morning, we pur-
sued our way over the high and somewhat broken divides
till we reached the plain which stretches itself between
the valleys of Lone Tree and Crow Creeks. On pass-
ing an immense detached pile of granite rock, eighty feet
high, and fifty feet square at the base, Gen. Dodge and
Mr. Evans ascended with some difficulty to its summit,
and reported a most extended view of the surrounding
country.

A little further on, while most of our party were col-