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Show 44 FROM FORT HALLECK and I understand the line has already grown in popu larity.* While awaiting the recovery of the boat, and the crossing of the remainder of the command over the North Platte, those of us on the western side were visited by a large band of the Ute Indians, who had come down the road to trade skins and furs before going on the war- path against the Arapa-hoes with whom they are at enmity. Their squaws, old men and pappooses had all been left behind, and the entire band was mounted on ponies, and armed. Their ostensible mission, as I said before, was a fight with the Arapahoes, but I was much inclined to the belief that they were really on a grand stealing expedition, and a little extra vigilance was exercised jn guarding our animals. They traded large num bers of beaver skins and dressed buckskins to the officers and soldiers for old coats, blankets, & c., but seemed to place no value on greenbacks. Hardly from a want of confidence in the stability of the Government ! I exhibited to one who was above the average in point of intelligence a fifty dollar bill, and at the same time a new ten cent note ; the latter he seemed to regard as the most desirable, but would not accept either in trade for a beaver skin, which he after ward bartered away for an old cast- ofFwoolen shirt. Many of them exhibited shrewdness in trading, and I think under stood English better than they were willing to admit. They were exceedingly anxious to trade for weapons and ammu nition, but further than a few cartridges, which the soldier* bartered away, they got nothing of the kind. Throughout the journey it was a rule with officers not to leave the column or camp without means ofdefence against Indians ; and indeed at nearly all times I had my pistol by my side ready for an emergency. One afternoon, however r when lying in my tent, I removed the weapon and put it * Since the above was written a gentleman informed me that he had seen a copy of a letter addressed by the Postmaster General, to Mr. Holladay, calling his attention to frequent neglects to comply with his contracts notwithstanding the great liberality of the Government, and threatening to cancel the contract if not more carefully regarded. |