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Show 72 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. An incident more vivid and thrilling than any of fancy's Written tales, and highly illustrative of the anguish of mind and body endured by the traveler during those perilous times, was told me by Mrs. Bowman, a very interesting and intelligent lady now residing, in Gunnison: " I • was full of youth and vivacity," said she, "my constant buoyancy of spirit made me a joy to my friends. I never borrowed trouble, and had one risen from the dead and prophesied the danger before me, I would not have believed. I knew that Ben. Holla-day had withdrawn his coaches, and the U. S. mail had been discontinued because of Indian depredations, but I feared no evil. I had been East hoping the change of climate would improve the health of my delicate, beautiful boy, who was just seventeen months old. But he seemed not to strengthen, and after several months I concluded to return to my home in Denver. " My husband had telegraphed a friend in Atchison to see that everything was provided to make my journey as pleasant as possible. Accordingly I was fitted out with a light wagon, nicely covered, and drawn by two spirited, fleet-footed mares. I hired a negro driver, Lee Ayres, a man of gigantic physique, and known to be perfectly trustworthy. I also engaged a man to assist in attending the team and helping about camp. My companion was a woman somewhat older than myself. I had known her from my childhood and addressed her by the name of 'Muzzey.' She was a very devout christian, and exacted of me a promise that I would not travel on Sunday. I said, 'all right, Muzzey, you can pray and I will watch.' I can never forget that Sunday's camping on the plains. It added ten years to my life. The sun seemed to stand |