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Show ALFRED PACKER. 297 as day after day they traversed barren, trackless wastes, and dreary, desolate mountains, the buoyant spirits with which they had commenced their march, gradually subsided. Stretching around them on all sides were ranges of mountains piled up apparently to the clouds, and glistening with eternal frosts, but they knew nothing of their defiles. They were continually on the alert, too, against the mountain tribes, who, at that time, cherished anything but kind feelings towards the whites. Finally, when in the most destitute circumstances, and sinking with despair, they met an Indian who offered to pilot them to Ouray's camp on the reservation. The old chief received them kindly, but forbade them to either hunt or mine there. He said, 'this is the Indian's country; no white man has a right to anything within its borders.' However, he fed them bountifully from his table. " There were so many of them that it seemed like eating Ouray out of house and home, and as soon as they were strong enough, part of them announced their determination of going to the agency. The Uncompahgre country is almost tropical, grapes, peaches, and all kinds of fruit can be raised there in abundance. The Indians, knowing the delightful resources of this valley, always resort there for the winter. "Ouray endeavored to dissuade them from undertaking the journey at that season of the year. He told them that to cross the mountains would be at the risk of their lives, as the snow was deep, and all indications, such as game coming to the valley, presaged a severe winter. But, finding they were determined to go, he provided them with as much provision as they could carry, and advised them to follow the Gunnison river. There was a |