In the Rocky Mountains | Page 3

house. Although Uncle Jeff was a
great advocate for liberty and equality, he had no fancy to have these
fellows in-doors; their habits and language not being such as to make
close intimacy pleasant.
The two old followers of Uncle Jeff--although they would have laughed
at the notion of being called gentlemen--were clean in their persons,
and careful in their conversation, especially in the presence of Clarice.
Just before sunset that evening, our party had been increased by the
arrival of an officer of the United States army and four men, who were
on their way from Fort Laramie to Fort Harwood, on the other side of
the mountains; but they had been deserted by their Indian guide, and
having been unable to find the entrance to the pass, were well-nigh
worn out with fatigue and vexation when they caught sight of Roaring
Water Farm.
The officer and his men were received with a hearty welcome.
"There is food enough in the store, and we will make a shake-down for
you in this room," said Uncle Jeff, wringing the hand of the officer in
his usual style.
The latter introduced himself as Lieutenant Manley Broadstreet. He
was a fine-looking young fellow, scarcely older than I was; but he had
already seen a great deal of service in border warfare with the Indians,
as well as in Florida and Texas.
"You are welcome here, friends," said Uncle Jeff, who, as I have said,
was no respecter of persons, and made little distinction between the
lieutenant and his men.

At this Lieutenant Broadstreet demurred, and, as he glanced at Clarice,
inquired whether there was any building near in which the men could
be lodged.
"They are not very fit company for a young lady," he remarked aside.
He did not, however, object to the sergeant joining him; and the other
three men were accordingly ordered to take up their quarters at the hut,
with its motley inhabitants.
Their appearance, I confess, somewhat reminded me of Falstaff's
"ragged regiment." The three varied wonderfully in height. The tallest
was not only tall, but thin in the extreme, his ankles protruding below
his trousers, and his wrists beyond the sleeves of his jacket; he had lost
his military hat, and had substituted for it a high beaver, which he had
obtained from some Irish emigrant on the road. He was a German; and
his name, he told me, was Karl Klitz. The shortest of the party,
Barnaby Gillooly, was also by far the fattest; indeed, it seemed
surprising that, with his obese figure, he could undergo the fatigue he
must constantly have been called upon to endure. He seemed to be a
jolly, merry fellow notwithstanding, as he showed by breaking into a
hearty laugh as Klitz, stumbling over a log, fell with his long neck and
shoulders on the one side, and his heels kicking up in the air on the
other. The last man was evidently a son of Erin, from the few words he
uttered in a rich brogue, which had not deteriorated by long absence
from home and country. He certainly presented a more soldierly
appearance than did his two comrades, but the ruddy blue hue of his
nose and lips showed that when liquor was to be obtained he was not
likely to let it pass his lips untasted.
The three soldiers were welcomed by the inhabitants of the hut, who
were glad to have strangers with whom they could chat, and who could
bring them news from the Eastern States.
On coming back to the house, after conducting the three men to the hut,
I found the lieutenant and his sergeant, Silas Custis, seated before the
fire; the young lieutenant every now and then, as was not surprising,
casting a glance at Clarice. But she was too busily occupied in getting

the supper-table ready to notice the admiration she was inspiring.
Rachel, with frying-pan in hand, now made her way towards the fire,
and begging those who impeded her movements to draw on one side,
she commenced her culinary operations. She soon had a huge dish of
rashers of bacon ready; while a couple of pots were carried off to be
emptied of their contents; and some cakes, which had been cooking
under the ashes, were withdrawn, and placed hot and smoking on the
platter.
"All ready, genl'em," exclaimed Rachel; "you can fall to when you
like."
The party got up, and we took our seats at the table. Clarice, who until
a short time before had been assisting Rachel, now returned-- having
been away to arrange her toilet. She took her usual seat at the head of
the table; and the lieutenant, to his evident satisfaction, found himself
placed near her. He spoke in a pleasant, gentlemanly tone, and treated