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It was about sundown when we camped at the very foot of the mountains we choose a nice green spot where a small stream or mountain torrent which took its rise in those grim icy regions above us and ran laughing by us. It was a most magnificent sight, the setting sun tinged those gloomy hights with his golden yellow the white snow seemingly about to fall upon our heads, the slopes of the mountains rising ther above thir covered with the green pine and fir tree and on the other hand lay stretched the boundless prairie that we had just traversed. Denver City was plainly in sight although fifteen miles distant, the Plat river could be seen like a silver thread winding its course along the boosom? of the prairie. We pitched our camp staked out our horses got ready some supper, and then had leisure to view the stupendous wonders, around us. It was a glorious moonlight night the air soft and warm as summer, and the mountains looked grand and wierd? looking, the scene would almost inspire one with superstition and dread. We built a large fire sat around it we did not need it as the air was warm enough but we always considered it more sociable? the prairie traveler considers it lonly not to have a fire even the hottest days in summer. We sat and talked till late the night each one related all that he had heard or read unclear that huge frowning pile before us. some told of dangers hardships and privations, of parties starting to cross them and they were never heard of afterwards. stores of wild animals and hostile Indians, till we got our imagination worked up to that pitch that we could almost imagine that those gloomy piles were peopled by evil and malignant spirits. Still if it was so it would not deter people from going there in search of the shining ore which scarcely ever brings happiness to its possessor. At a late hour in the night we lay down by our camp fire to sleep but it did not visit my eyelids for some hours after I could not close my eyes on the beautiful appearance of those mountains.