In the Heart of the Rockies

In The Heart Of The Rockies, by
G. A. Henty

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Title: In The Heart Of The Rockies
Author: G. A. Henty
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IN THE HEART OF THE ROCKIES
A STORY OF ADVENTURE IN COLORADO
BY G. A. HENTY

[Illustration: HUNTING DOG SAVES JERRY FROM THE RAPIDS.]

PREFACE
MY DEAR LADS,
Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I
have laid this story was wholly unexplored. The marvellous cañons of
the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and
waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who,
pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was
known regarding this region. It was not until 1869 that a thorough
exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under

the command of Major Powell. This expedition passed through the
whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the
point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains. Four years were
occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the
main river and its tributaries. These explorations took place some eight
or nine years after the date of my story. The country in which the Big
Wind River has its source, and the mountain chains contained in it,
were almost unknown until, after the completion of the railway to
California, the United States government was forced to send an
expedition into it to punish the Indians for their raids upon settlers in
the plains. For details of the geography and scenery I have relied upon
the narrative of Mr. Baillie-Grohman, who paid several visits to the
country in 1878 and the following years in quest of sport, and was the
first white man to penetrate the recesses of the higher mountains. At
that time the Indians had almost entirely deserted the country. For the
details of the dangers and difficulties of the passage through the cañons
I am indebted to the official report of Major Powell, published by the
United States government.
Yours sincerely,
G. A. HENTY.

CONTENTS
CHAP.
I. TOM'S CHOICE II. FINDING FRIENDS III. ON THE PLAINS IV.
LEAPING HORSE V. IN DANGER VI. UNITED VII. CHASED VIII.
IN SAFETY IX. A BAD TIME X. AN AVALANCHE XI. WINTER
XII. THE SNOW FORT XIII. A FRESH START XIV. AN INDIAN
ATTACK XV. THE COLORADO XVI. AFLOAT IN CANOES XVII.
THE GRAND CANON XVIII. BACK TO DENVER XIX. A
FORTUNE

ILLUSTRATIONS
Hunting Dog Saves Jerry From The Rapids Carry Reads Uncle Harry's
Letter Jerry Gives Tom A Lesson In Shooting Leaping Horse Mounted,
And Rode Across The Stream A Moment Later The Indian Fell
Forward On His Face "There Is Another Avalanche, Keep Your Backs
To The Wall, Boys" They Went Out To Look At The Indian The Chief
Had Shot "No Good Fight Here," Said Leaping Horse.
CHAPTER I
TOM'S CHOICE
"I can be of no use here, Carry. What am I good for? Why, I could not
earn money enough to pay for my own food, even if we knew anyone
who would help me to get a clerkship. I am too young for it yet. I
would rather go before the mast than take a place in a shop. I am too
young even to enlist. I know just about as much as other boys at school,
and I certainly have no talent anyway, as far as I can see at present. I
can sail a boat, and I won the swimming prize