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Show CHAPTER LXI. THE LOVER'S LEAP. Leaving Pueblo on the Rio Grande, Hal. and Mr. De B took a seat together, which was now considered a matter of course; and, being left alone, I took in the surrounding landscape. The sun poured down on the sage brush and shimmered on the bayonet leaves of the soap weed-not very beautiful shrubs, but renowned for their virtues. The roots of the soap weed put in water, creates an excellent wash for the hair. It is used to some extent also for washing clothing and carpets; removing every stain without impairing the colors. Boiled sage brush is said to make a superior hair dye, and prevents the hair from falling out. Taken as a tea it will cure mountain fever. Opening a package presented to me just as I left Pueblo, I found it to be a book of poems, by T. 0. Bigney, who may be called Colorado's primeval poet. I thought it strange that with all the crags and beetling rocks in Colorado, I had heard of no ' Lover's Leap.' This little volume gave a very thrilling account of one which occurred in the Cucharas valley, and Sangre de Cristo range. This is the story: A rural, peaceful race once dwelt in the beautiful Cucharas valley. Among them was a maiden fair, who, it appears, excited the master passion in the breast of a Georgian, who owned large flocks of sheep. But the dark father refused his consent and rudely dashed to earth the 293 |
