/5^
.7 -

WILD FLOWERS

OF THE

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

OIUGIXAI.LY PiliLISIIED UXDF.K TITLE Ol'
niLD FLOWERS Of COLORADO

FROM ORIGINAL WATER COLOR SKETCHES DRAWN

FROM NATURE

BY

EMAIA HOMAN THAYER

AUTHOR OF " WILD FLOWERS OF THF, PACIFIC COAST," ETC,

CASSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY

104 ANn 106 I'ouRTii AvKNur, Nkw York.

Copyright,

iSSf),

r.y O. .M. nuxiiAM.

ALL Rionra reserved.

CunoMo-LmiocRArHED „v Don-aldson I!.oT,m„., Nhw Vor,c.

UNAIY OF THE UNIVERSITY \

XJ^SW^% ■ — * ^^*

TO

My Tourists Frtends,

ELMER, AMY, and BYRON,

I DEDICATE THIS BOOK.

n.^

LIST OF PLATES.

ANEMONE OK WIND I roWKR.

YUCCA OR S<JAP PLANT.

COl.UMBINK.

MARIPOSA I.II.V.

PRI.MR(JSK.

IRIS OR FI.i;iR-|)|.,-|.ls.

PKiMii.A ar(;i-.mom; mixuana or phkki.v-poppv,

IPOMIKA or "max ok nil EARTH."

asiers.
tri:e CACTI'S.

I)\VARI OR CIP CACTI'S.
CACTI'S.

k.nioht's piume

G I I.I A.

GENTIAN.

COI.DEN A\n SPIDER ASTERS.

EPIIOim-M OK ni.TITREI.V IT.OWER.

TIIIMHI.E PLANT.

CASTEII.EIA OK PAIXIER's HRUSH.

I.INCM OR EAIKV LILLY.

MALLOW.

CENWTIIERA OR E, EN' I NO PRIMROSE.

CI.EOME.

WILL) (JERANIl.'M LEAVES.

Wild Flowers of Colorado.

A moonlight nioht, a party of friends had called to say
good-by. They were going, they said, "for a good time," and
what should they bring me? Now this good time meant six in
the party, a private car, a fine variety t)f ammunition for the
department of the interior, guns, rods, and four beautiful dogs.

"What will you bring me ? Flowers — all that you can find;
and pre? ' them so that I can paint them as souvenirs of your
trip." "We will do so— but stay; why not accompany us and
make your paintings from the fresh flowers? It will be much
better than copying the pressed ones. I will take my wife, who
is wild to go, and instead of six, we shall make eight. But if,
while calmly sketching, a stray shot comes too close, or all the
dogs in turn play leap-frog o\'er your easel, shall we then sec the
same smiling countenance ? " " Certainly ! " " Then it is agreed,"
and so it came to pass that in the autumn of 1884 a happy party
left Denver for a thirty days' trip in the mountains of Colorado.

While we arc on our way to Colorado Springs, which we do
not reach until afternoon, let me help you pass the time by
showing you some of our early spring flowers.

The first to make its appearance, almost before the snow

lO WILD I'LOWERS OF COLORADO.

has disappeared, is the anemone, or wind flower. It brings
Easter to me more forcibly than any other flower. No matter
how early that holy festival arrives, this little lily-shaped flower is
here to welcome it. Observe how delicate are its lavender blos-
soms, and how well protected it is from the cold. A substance
resembling fur grows up around the blossom. It would seem as
though this little fur coat were given it to protect it from the
cold. Later you see it leaving its coat behind, and as it gets
older and stronger it drops it altogether. After the blossom dis-
appears the plant resembles a little family of fur balls. I found
this one growing on the prairie some little distance from Colorado
Springs.

Early one morning I started out for a walk, and, as usual,
taking my little tin box of colors with me, I walked in the
direction of " Manitou," as I could the better have a view of
Pike's Peak. It was one of those clear, brifrht mornings when
every mountain stood out clear and distinct ; one could see the
many parks, and imagine just where lay the lovely clear lakes
which have been so much admired by those who have seen them
while visiting the Rocky Mountains.

Without knowing it I had walked a- long distance, so lost in
thought and admiration had I been, and, disliking to turn my
back on the lovely scenery, I sat down for a little rest, and
discovered I was sitting in the midst of these pretty wind-flowers.
They came up from the sand like so many little fur heads, with
bright lavender eyes that seemed to open wider and wider as I

V U C C A

WILD I'LOWKRS OF COLORADO. II

looked at them. Choosing a fine hunch that seemed further
advanced than the others I soon made a sketch of it. I say soon.
To an artist interested in the work time is nothing, and it is
usually hours instead of minutes that have passed. When I had
finished this sketch I found the sun cast its rays directly upon
me, and I knew there was no time to lose if I expected to reach
home in time for dinner.

The next of what I consider exclusively Colorado plants is
the yucca. It comes much later in the spring, and if the season
is late it is often June before it makes its appearance. I have
given only the top of the stalk and the buds and the tips of the
leaves. This plant grows from one to four feet high, and blos-
soms all the way down the stalk, or, I should say, all the way up
from the root. The full blown blossoms are v.hite, with slight
streaks of a delicate pink and green. They are as large as
a tulip and much like the tulip in shape ; but instead of looking
up, they look down. They are very beautiful, and blossom until
the last of August. The leaves are sword-shaped, very sharp
and stiff, and grow from twelve to eighteen inches long. They
all start directly from the center, the stalk standing perfectly
straight. The common name is soap-plant, the root being used
by the Indians instead of soap.

Speaking of yucca reminds me of an Indian girl I knew in
the early days of Colorado, before the Indian^- had gone to their
reservation. A squaw often came to my rooms to beg. She had
learned a few English words, and could say with apparent pride,

12 WILD ri.OWKRS OF COLORADO.

"Gum mc bit. Gum mc l)it." To gixc her the "bit" every time
she came was (|uite impossible, as it rej)resentecl a shilhng of our
money, but to the scjuaw it made httle (hfference whether she
recei\'e(l the bit or not, for she came just the same every mornin_t(.
A worse looking creature one could hardly imagine. An old
gray blanket, confined at the waist with a })iece of rope, composed
her dress ; on her feet she wore moccasins, with pieces of blanket
tied around her ankles for stockings. She was never seen with
any thing on her head, and her hair, oh ! that hair ! I can
not describe it. If some of our enthusiastic Eastern friends
could have seen her, what a contrast she would have made to the
lovely Indian maiden that has so enlisted their sym[)athy. Their
first impulse would be to look around for a bath-house, and their
first present a piece of soap with instructions how to use it ; but
if their advice as to cleanliness had been no better heeded than
mine was, it would have done but little good.

With this particular s(|uaw I made up my mind to do some
missionary work. I taught her some words, such as "good,"
"bad," "wash," "comb," and many others. Then I gave her a
piece of soap, rubbing it with my hands as if washing them. She
looked at me in astonishment and said "Yes, yes." I had some
hope for her. The next morning she came, and after the first
salutation of " Gum me bit," she showed me her hands. The
inside of them was covered with dry soap. I was discouraged,
but getting a basin of water I made her put her hands in and rub
them. She seemed to understand, and, laughing, said " Yock,

WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO. 1 3

Yock," and before I could show her how to wash them she dis-
appeared, but soon returned bringing a yucca root, and break-
ing it in pieces gave them to me ; she then took a ivloce and
putting it in the basin rubbed her hands in great glee, saying
*• Yock washee." I then understood for the first time the virtue
of the yucca root; and this Indian girl whom I was trying to
teach was able to teach me.

Here is some columbine a friend of mine gathered. I say
".a friend of mine," and surely he has proven both guide and
friend on many a trip over the mountains ; should I mention his
name many tourists would remember him with pleasure. He
would perhaps object to have his name in print, and so we
will call him ''Dick;" but should I write as I feel inclined, I
would devote a chapter to his bravery and goodness. Dick,
knowing my fondness for mountain flowers, made many a perilous
trip to gather them for me. The day he brought me this lovely
bunch of columbine he had just returned with a party from
a long trip up the mountains. He looked tired and dusty, but a
smile lighted up his face when he said : "These beat any thing I
ever see in tliis kind of flower; they're pretty, ain't they, now?
I see them a good l^it off and asked the gentlemen if they would
mind to rest a few minutes while I got a bunch of 'em. They
seemed glad to stop, for we had had a hard morning, coming down
ovtM- bowlders as large as this room, some of them, and they being
' tcnderfeet' they needed no great amount of coaxing to stop ; and
I hadn't got more'n a dozen feet from them when I looked

14 WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO,

back and every last one was stretched out at full length, and I've
no doubt but flist asleep; yet they had made the trip up the
mountain with no complaints.

" It is strange, ain't it, now, how those eastern fellows,
tourists they call them, will come out here and chmb mountains,
and do more hard work in one week than they would do in a year
at home, and try to act just as if they were used to it, and
they could stand it just as well as I can. I never let on but
I believe 'em, and we trudge right along; but I ain't hard-
hearted enough to let 'em start in those little pointed shoes that
they have on their feet, but make 'em believe they can't get
a good foot-hold with that kind, and in that way I get them
started in good broad soles. They laugh at them at first, but
before they are through they have good cause to rejoice, and will
recommend 'em with pride to their friends for mountain climbing.
" When I got back they were much refreshed ; each had had
a good nap, and the horses also looked rested. One of the
gentlemen had a box of paints, just like the one you always carry,
and he said he would like to make a paintin' of the whole bunch ;
but I told him they were for a friend of mine, and gave him only
a few. These are the best of the lot. No, they ain't faded a bit.
I put the wet paper around them just as you showed me before,
and they look as fresh as if I had just picked them, don't they.?"
In no state or country does the columbine grow so laro-e or
more beautiful than in Colorado. The higher you go up the
mountains tlie smaller 1)ecome the blossoms. They are in shape

^1^^<l pf'SA, lil-y

WILD IL0\V1':RS of COLORADO. I 5

much like the eastern cokimbinc that grows wild in New England
woods, but there the colors are not as rich, and in size our colum-
bine is at least four times larger. There are many shades of
color, I am told, but I have never seen but three, yellow, or straw
color, \.':nk and purple.

The next representation is the Mariposa lily. They are
considered one of the choice flowers of this State. Tourists
gather them every summer, press them and send them to friends
in the East ; but there is little satisfaction in preserving them
in this way, as they become dry and break, and lose their color,
which is a delicate lavender, with touches of yellow or orange,
brown and white. They are very delicate and wither quickly
after breaking from the stem, but as quickly revive when placed
in water.

They are not a common flower. I have seen the finest
at Manitou. This one I found on one of the foot-hills opposite
the Alanitou House. It was early in the summer and before the
great concourse of people who vWit this lovely s[)ot had arrived.
Two young ladies from the East had come to visit me, and
we went there to spend a few days. We arrived there about six
o'clock and in time for supper. I noticed the girls had an
anxious look, and seemed expecting to see some one. I incjuired
the cause. "Why, we are looking for the cowbo)'s ; where arc
they ?" " I do not know," I answered, "but if that is what )()u
are looking for, we will make inquiry at the office." To the office
(which is also used for sitting-room as ladies and gentlemen) we

/
/

1 6 WILD FJ.OWKRS OF COLORADO.

went. "Cowboys, Miss ? I am very sorry to say we are just out
of them, but we expect some in al^out seven o'clock in the
morning." " Oli, how lovely! call us, please, at six-thirty;"
and the young ladies seemed really happy at the prospect of
seeing a real cowboy.

Tired from our journey we were soon in our rooms and in
bed. It seemed to me I had only just fallen asleep, when there
came a rap on the door and a "six-thirty, ladies." We were called
none too early, for already we could hear the tramp of hundreds
of feet and a low, musical song or chant in the distance. Looking
down from our window we saw coming down the street a large
herd of cattle ; by their side and in their rear rode the cow-boys,
who with their song, that sounded so weird and chant-like,
seemed to control them. "Oh, see w4iat large hats they have on,
and spurs, and how fast they ride!" came from the two young
heads at the window.

So, voumr ladies, these are the cow-boys you have been
anxious to see. Well, they are fine specimens of manly strength
and health, but rememlier the term "cow-boy" is improperly
a[)plied to all men engaged in the cattle business, no matter
whether they herd the cattle or own them.

I left the young ladies to talk over the sight they had just
seen, while I went out to improve the time in sketching. As I
started from the house I again heard the tramp of many feet. I
looked and saw horses and guides coming. They halted in front
of the hotel. I was told they came every morning at the same

^so».-^-"-*ri*'^— .

' U I f <^ 'J !-, t

WILD ll.oWl.KS Ol' COl.oKAlH). •/

hour for parties wisliiiio- to ^o to I'ikc's IVak. Soon the party
that were to make the aseent eaiiie out, havini;- hrst prepared them-
selves for the trip with a oood breakfast. 'Hicn eaeh chooses her,
or his, horse, and with the usual amount of laui^hini;-, talkiiitj^,
and " fixino " tiiey started, the ouide leading the way, with the
photographer bringing up the rear, lie is ne\er lelt. a party
is not considered complete without him, as it is the ambition
of every one making the ascent to bring away with them their
picture, taken at the fearful height of fourteen thousanil feet
above the level of the sea.

Primroses are found on the plains all the way between
Denver and Canyon City. They spring u}) all over the prairie.
They make their appearance early in the spring, and 1 have
seen them in blossom as late as October. The blossom varies
in size all the way from the size of a silver dollar to ten inches in
circumference. This one 1 found grt)\ving at the foot of
Cheyenne Mountain. They are usually white, and the pink ones
are (juite uncommon ; indeed, this is the only i)ink one 1 have

ever seen.

1 was riding with some friends who were going for the first
time in the canvon. Tiie morning was a lovely one ; there
had been a recent shower, and as rain is cpiite uncommon in this
section of the country, it had been hailed with delight. The
canyon is never so fmc as after a rain. The beautiful colors of
the mountains shine out with renewed brilliancy, and the delicate
(Treen of the foliage looks cool and inxiting. Residents of

i8 wii.i) i'i.o\vi;ks oi- Colorado,

Colorado Sprinc^s have discovered this, and m(^rnini^s after a rain
you "zaii see pai'ties oi two, lour, and sometimes ten .'Uid twelve,
ridini; toward the ean}'on.

I can not describe to )'ou my dchi^ht when I (hscovercd this
primrose. My friends were all lookin_L( up at the mai^nilicent
si^ht before them. I, who had been there many times before,
was lookintr down, and discovered this hjvely specimen just in
time to prevent my horse stepping" upon it. It i(re\v alone, and
just above it was a red santlstone rock ; one could imagine that
the washing- from this rock had affected its coior.

I ha\'e given )'ou only a portion of the plant. It grows no
higher than rei)resente(l in the painting, but trom the root will
c;om(; niany spreading branches. This represents one branch.
C>)n the whole plant I counted nine lull blossoms and thirty-three
buds.

The iris, or fleur-de-lis, grows grandly in th(;se mountains. I
selected these from a bed that grew in the western i)art oi the
State. Dick told me of them and said there was a bed oi them
that could be seen ;it a great distance, so large was it and so
completely covered with flowers. lie said it looked irom a short
distance like a lovely j)urple carpet.

I rode out one day and found he had not exaggerated their
b(,'auties. Thcty covered at least an acre of ground. It was
damp and in some places wet. I think there was a natural
spring in the midst of them that kept them constantly moist, and
this made them grow so large and rich. I have often seen them

WILD F1X)\V1:RS of COLOKAUt). 1 9

in difrcrcnt sections of the State, hut only in small heds, and the
blossoms not as large as represented.

These are only a few of our spring flowers. There are
a great many varieties, and did space allow I should like to
describe more of them to you. From the first appearance of the
anemone we are never without flowers until the last of October.
One can always have in their rooms a choice boucjuet ot wild
flowers. As fast as one variety disappears another comes to take
its place.

June is the most delightful month of the year in this State.
Wherever grass can grow there you will see flowers of all
shades. The ride over the mountains in this month is beautiful.
It is a perfect flower-garden all the way from Denver to Salt
Lake.

I saw a novel siijht last June as the train was cfoinc^ throuo^h
the canyon of the Arkansas and along the river by that name. I
saw orowin*'' from a lart^e rock in the ri\er a bunch ot pink
flowers. It was at least thirty feet from the mountains on either
side of it, and not a vestige of grass growing near ; }et this bunch
of flowers continued to bloom and was seen and admired by
hundreds who traveled by it.

One of the prettiest flowers we ha\'e in June is the wild rose.
It grows in gi"eat prolusion. I haxe seen miles of roses in
full bloom. They grow on small bushes like little trees along the
rivers, in the canyon, and on the sides of the mountain ; there
will be hundretls of blossoms on one bush. They are of a deep

20 WILD FLOWERS Ol" COLORADO.

pink when they first blossom, l)ut grow paler as they grow older.
They are the same as the wild roses of the East, those you
are familiar with from your childhood, and they have ]3ecome so
dear in your memory that any painting I could give you would, I
fear, prove only a disappointment.

Our first camp was made about four o'clock in the afternoon
of the day w^c left Denver, a few miles from Colorado Springs,
the engineer choosing a place where the car could be safely side-
tracked. As this was our first stop, all seemed anxious to leave
the car.

The men had heard that a jack rabbit had been seen to pass
over this part of the country. A vote was taken, and it was
agreed that we should adtl Mr. Jack Rabbit to our party. So
while they had gone to look for tracks and supper was being
prepared, I took my materials and wandering off a short distance
was soon at work, having discovered this lovely poppy — primula
argemone Mexicana. Standing quite by itself, this one grew
about three feet high. They seldom grow any taller, the common
height being from one to two feet. The blossom Is very delicate,
being almost transparent, the center being a bright yellow. The
green leaves, as you see, are very thick, with little sharp thorns
growing from them. They are very unpleasant to handle, and on
this account the blossom is seldom broken from the bush.

While looking at this prickly poppy, I could almost hear
it say: "You may paint me and admire me to your heart's
cont. it, but I am safe In your company, I am wtH gi'iardcd ;

WILD FLOWl'US OF COLORADO. 21

should you attempt to molest me I will command my sentinels
to attack you."

Glancin<r up from my work I found I was not alone, for
scarcely a dozen feet from me, sitting- on the top of his own little
house, was a prairie dog, with his little hands raised as though to
pass judgment upon me for trespassing upon his flower-garden.
In a few minutes he disappeared, but soon returned with his
wife. Now I feel sure it was his wife, because of the irreat
amount of respect he had for her opinion ; for, after this little
lady had taken a good look at me, she nodded to his lordship in
the most approved manner. A look of perfect trust came over
his little countenance, and, stepping aside to allow her to pass
down first, they disappeared, apjiarently satisfied that their
grounds would not be injured by my presence upon them.

Returning to camp I saw in the distance what appeared
to be a funeral procession. Walking ahead came Dick, loaded
down with guns and game bags ; behind him solemnly strode our
four friends. They seemed to be carrying a heavy load ; on their
shoulders rested a long stick, and depending therefrom were the
silent remains of the poor rabbit. What a noble looking fellow he
was ! Even at the height of the men's shoulders his ears nearly
touched the ground.

They continued their solemn march until they reached the
commissary car, and then with pride they laid their trophy down.
"How is that?" said one. "Oh, he was a fine shot," said
another. "Which one of you men fired the cruel shot that took

22 WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO.

the life of this noble fellow?" I iiKjuired. "I," said four voices
at the same time. It reminded me of the soldier who was to be
shot for neglect of duty. bOur of his comrades were detailed to
shoot him. Only one loaded s^un was gixen, yet the men were
In iixnorance as to which one held the fatal shot. So with this
poor rabbit : while four murderous weai)ons were ])ointed toward
him it would be (juite dilficult to tell which man had the right to
claim the shot.

A book was to be kept while on this trip, antl a true account
of each man's game and the number of fish caught to be recorded
every day. I am sorry to say we saw that evening opposite each
man's name, " i Jack Rabbit."

We stopped next at Colorado Springs, driving, of course, to
Manitou. So much has been written of these two places that I
will not tire you wnth a description of them. While some of our
party had gone to the iron spring, I made a sketch of this
ipomcea, or "man of the earth." I had often heard of this
peculiar plant, and had a great desire to see it. I had my
curiosity satisfied, for by digging down a few inches I found
the root that so resembles a man's head. It is quite as large,
although unlike in some respects, this being quite full and solid.
The. blossom is much like a morning-glory, but more firm ; the
leaves are small and slender, and the stems, you will see, are very
delicate. They go into the earth only a short distance, when they
become attached to the immense root I have just described.

I wish I could give you a sketch of this root, it Is such

\

WILD FLOWI'RS OF COLORADO. 23

a curiosity and so unlike any other root I have ever seen. They
try to preserve it by chyino-, but it loses its shape, and when dry
is not more than half the original size.

Scemfr a pretty path, antl knowino- it would lead me to our
hotel, I took it. I had gone but a short distance when I dis-
covered that I was uncier a perfect bower of clematis liousticifolia.
It was in full bloom and I could break off wreaths of it two
and three yards long. The blossoms are white, small and very
delicate, growing thickly on the slender stem or \-ine.

The clematis in this state grows in great abundance, and
is often transplanted into gardens and b\ porches. It gives a fine
shade and is very ornamental. In the fall it looks like a mass of
feathery balls. I have seen it also used as an ornament in
dressing. Attending a p.;rty at one of our leading hotels early
one fall, a young lady attracted much attention by the artistic
arrangement of what was supposed to be little white feathers
in her hair and in the loopings of her thin pink dress, 'it was
the prettiest costume in the room. She was waltzing near
me, and one of the little feathers dropped from her dress. Pick-
ing it up to restore it to its owner, I discovered it was the clematis.
1 he party from the iron spring soon returned ; their carriages
could be seen at quite a distance by the many bright colors of the
flowers. Each one held an enormous bouquet in his hands.
Even the dogs had wreaths around their necks. "Here, we
have brought you material enough for a month — take your
choice;" and laying them down I was almost covered with

24 WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO.

flowers. They had spoken the truth, there was material enough
for many months' work, and looking them over I found it difficult
to make a choice.

" Here are some asters I found near the iron spring, will
you make a painting of them for me ?" "I will gladly do so," 1
answered, for they were a delight to look u|)()n. They made me
think of a modest little country maiden dressed in her Sunday
best. So fresh and sweet, they looked an emblem of perfect
innocence. They had been broken off close to the top, just
as I have painted them. This is a double one ; the single ones
are much more common. There is a great variety of asters
in this state. I have counted thirty varieties in one summer.
The plant grows very tall — some as high as three and four feet.
Fhey blossom near the top of the branches. Others grow close
to the ground in thick mats, the stems being so short that it
would be quite im[)ossible to pick them without digging them up
by the roots. I have seen lovely bouquets made of them by
putting a quantity in a dish of wet sand. Thus arranged, they
will keep fresh and continue to l)lossom for weeks.

Whenever I see the aster it reminds me of a lox'cly young-
woman I met in the mountains last summer. I wish }()u could
see her as I first saw her. .1 was riding up one of the canyons
not far from Manitou. The morning was cool and pleasant. I
was going up a path seldom frecjuentcd. It is always a pleasure
to me to prospect in these unfre(iuented paths, and this morning
I found something I was not looking for — a little cottage snugly

'HIST I. L A-^T^lv

WILD I-LOWKRS OF COLORADO. 2$

built by the side of the mountain. There was quite a grove
around it, and suspended from two large trees I saw a ham-
mock ; it was lined with a robe of fur, and on the ground and
in easy rustic chairs were thrown fur skins of great value. As I
advanced a large Newfoundland dog lying near heralded my
approach. Suddenly springing from the hammock a young girl
stood before me. She did not speak, but her large blue eyes
incjuired the cause of my intrusion. Slipi)ing from my horse
I apol(\gized for unintentionally alarming her, and, giving her my
name, (juickly explained why I was in the canyon.

With a bright smile she adx'anced and ga\'e me her hand in
welcome, and soon I .was seated in one of the rustic chairs in
earnest conxnn'sation. She told me her home was in Vermont ;
at the age of fourteen she lost her health and was rapidly going
into a decline, wi: :n, as a last resort, her aunt brought her to the
mountains. "Aunt will soon be here," she said. "She has o-one
\\ith our domestic up the mountain to bring home some i)retty
flowers we found there yesterday;" and then risino- she said:
"Will you come and see my garden ?" I went with her to the
front o{ the cottage, and there found growing carefully selected
wild flowers in great abundance, the asters predominating.

"Oh," she said with a sigh, "how I shall miss these pretty
little things, and this mountain home." "Are you o()ino- to leave
it?" I incjuired. "Yes, I am (piite well and strong now," she
said, with the same bright smile with which she had welcomed
me. " We have spent three summers here."

26 WILD FLOWilKS OF COLORADO.

Scarcely a week [)asse(l without ni}' spending a day with
these dehghtful people. They became my companions on many
a prospecting tour. The remembrance of days s[)ent in their
society will always remain a bright spot in life's history.

The saddest one was the day before they were to leave their
mountain home. I had started early, having been invited to break-
fast with them. The table was to be laid out under the trees,
and Rover, who had been informed of my coming, met me far
down the canyon and proudly escorted mc to the ladies.

What a dainty breakfast it was ; but knowing it was the last
in this pretty home, it was a sad one. Each one of us smiled
and pretended to feel very happy. It was a relief to all when it
was over and wc were at work packing u\) the treasures that
were to adorn their Vermont home.

" Now come to the garden," said my young friend, " and
help me place in this box my little comi)anions ;" and tenderly
removing the asters from the soft earth she placed them in the
damp sand to be transplanted to their P^astern home.

Turning to me she said : "Oh, how I lox^e them. They will
be a constant reminder of you and the hapi)y hours spent among
these mountains." Since that time they have become my favorite
flowers, and when I see them I can see the beautiful tearful eyes
saying " Farewell, farewell."

Our stay at Colorado Sj^rings was a short one. Dick had
made calls on all of the old hunters within a mile of the town, the
result of which was most discouraging as to game. Not ex'cn a

'^^#.

CU^ C/^CTJi

Wll,]-) 1'I.()\V1.:r.s ()!■• COLORADO, 2']

chipmunk could he proniiscd, so the second day wc continued
our journey, mahino- our second camp n( far from Canyon City,
and near the entrance to tlie canyon of the Arkansas. Here it
was decided to spenil at least two or tln'ce ckiys. The men had
been told before leaving- home that at this point game could be
had simply by hunting for it.

Dick was delighted. I le knew this part of the country well,
and each man was promised more game than he could carry to
camj). " But you must behave yourselves well in these parts,"
said Dick. "Just look over there to the right: that big pile of
stone is the State's prison." "C)h no, sir, I've never been in
there myself, but I've had a friend there." All i)r()mised to be on
their best behavior, and then commenced the great preparation
for the first hunt.

1 was delighted at the prospect of spending two days here,
for m no part of the state do the flowers seem more beautiful.
Those who have been so fortunate as to be here in late summer
or early fall will remember the cactus. I have seen the mountains
scarlet with them. The first blossoms to be seen are those of the
tree cactus. The flowers appear on the extreme ends of the
branches, and are very brilliant. The tree grows on the side of
the mountains h-om three to si.v feet high ; the branches are as
large as the body of the tree and very irregular. This specimen
I painted about a mile from camp.

One ot the tlogs had been left in camp as a protection to the
remaining i)art3', and this fiithful animal had insisted upon

28 WILD FLOWERS OF COLORADO.

accompanying mc. He was lying quietly at my side, watching
me, first looking at my painting, then at the cactus, with a look
that plainly showed him to be a critic. At that moment a little
squirrel ran a few feet in front of us. The dog's quick car caught
the sound, and in an instant there was a leap and then a yell most
fearful to hear ; not one but many, for the poor fellow had jumped
on a cactus bush and the thorns were piercing his body. I ran
to his assistance and helped him from the bush, then acting the
part of surgeon I pulled from his legs seven thorns as long as pins
and quite as stiff.

I know of no greater punishment to man or beast than to be
thrown upon a cactus bush, and the squirrel must have felt great
satisfaction in seeing his enemy so severely chastised. Seeing
the dog safe in camp I returned and finished my sketch unpro-
tected. My companion of the morning had no desire to go
with me.

Taking a different path back to camp I had gone but a short
distance when I discovered this dwarf or cup cactus. It had
many companions and each one looked like a miniature flower
bed, so thick were its blossoms. I selected this one for its perfect
shape and handsome straw-colored flower in full bloom. IMany
of this species grow close to the ground in clusters like a little
family. This one was the largest of the group and I looked upon
it with much reverence, for, from the majestic poise of its beautiful
head, I felt sure it was the mother of the family.

On reaching camp I found two ol oiu- lumters had returned.

WILD 1'I,0\VI:RS OI' COLORADO. 29

In following up some small <i^amc they had become lost from the
rest of the party, and it being their first trip in the mountains
they were afraid to go further, so returned for the dog that had
been left in camp. You can imagine their annoyance when they
found the most valuable dog disabled. The poor thing looked
almost human ; each paw had been bound up in solt white cloths
saturated with Pond's Extract. He was lying on a bed made of
car cushions and blankets. One of the men had shot a scjuirrel,
on his way in, that strongly resembled the one that had gixer. the
dog so much pain. A look of pleasiu'e came o\er lus lace when
it was held up l)efore his eyes ; but while it ma}' ha\e belonged
to the same family, I am confident our scjuirrel of the morning
episode was too cunning to be caught.

During the two days spent at this camp the men brought in
some small game. Thev seemed disai)pointed. I ha\'e no doubt
each man expected to bring home his elk, deer, and buffalo ;
but as nothing larger than a wild goose had been found, they
decided to mo\e on.

Dick looked a little crestfallen. He had had great expecta-
tions of this place, and with a sigh said: "It must be too early
in the season."

Our third stop was made at a beautiful little town in the
very heart (^f the mountains, called Salida. Great was our
suri)rise when it first came within sight. Its situation is most
picturcs(jue, being on a plateau completely surrounded by mount-
ains. One naturally asks : " How can we get out ?" We are told

30 WILD I'L()\vi:rs of Colorado.

that in order to do so \vc must climh the mountains to the west.
And this is true, as we soon discoxered.

At the station we found such a prett)' little hotel that we
decided to leave the car and spend the niu^ht in it, and great
was our delii^ht when we discovered that here we could hax'c
every luxury — even to a good bath-room with jilenty of hot water.
In the rear of the house runs the Arkansas ri\'er. It is swift and
deej). Dick said he had been told on good authority that one
could sit in his room and fish for speckled trout out of the
window. But this I do not give as authentic.

After supper we went ovcv in town for a walk, and s(K)n
found ourselves on the main street, which runs through the
center of the town. On each side of the street were every
variety of shops, and every thing to attract the miner and
his money.

The walk was so pleasant that we decided to continue it
to the foot-hills at the end of the straight street, they looked
so near ; but after walkin<»: for more than an hour they seemed no
nearer to us than when we had started. While hesitating about
going further, a boy passed us drix'ing home cows. One of
our party asked him if he would tell us h(nv far it was to the
foot-hills. "Oh, I reckon it is an\' where from eight to a dozen
miles," he said. We were glad Dick was not with us to laugh at
our ignorance of distances. P)ut it was not strange that we
should have made this mistake, as distance in the mountains
is very deceiving. Mountains that stand out so distinctU' that

WILD I'I,()\VI;k.S of COLORADO. 3 I

one can almost sec the trees upon them, will he miles and miles
awav.

Guides have much amusement in asking; tourists how far
distant is such and such a mountain, and then astonishing- the
person hy saying — any number of miles less than a thousand.

After interviewing- the hoy with the cows we retraced our
steps, and just before reaching the bridge we saw (juite a crowd
arou'.-.il a large farm wagon in the midtUe of the street. The
farmer, with one hand holding the reins, was standing, and
seemed to be relatini); some wonderful incident to the crowd. As
we wished to sec and hear what seen-ied to be an unusual occur-
rence, we went up to the wagon. It was a sight rarely seen, even
in this section. There, stretched at full length, lay a mountain
lion — dead. He was a grand looking fellow. His length, from
tip of nose to the end of tail, was just the length of the wagon.
We inquired of the farmer how he had killed him, as there
seemed to be no indications of firearms used. "How did I
kill him ? W'ith this very club," and he held up a stout stick about
three feet long. " I was walking on the side of the mountain
near my ranch when I met the l)east. I had not heard a sound,
but as I looked u]) I saw him standing plump before me. He
did not look uglv, but astonished, and I believe I was as much
of a curiosity to him as he was to me. I didn't take long to
think about it, though, and raising my club with all the strength
I had, I hit hin-i square on the top of his head. It stunned him,
and before he had tune to come to, I finrshed him with this," and

32 WILD TLOWERS OF COLORADO.

the farmer touched his belt from which hung a sheath that con-
tained a dangerous weapon.

Lookinii^ from mv window the next morninii^ I saw an enijine
comin«>; in from the west. The cowcatcher was a blaze of HHit.
It was the most brilHant thin^" I had ever seen. As it came
near I (hscovercd it was the cactus ; some artistic hand had
placed them upon die engine. It stopped in front of the house
and we all went down to see them. I asked the engineer if
he would "give one a stop-over check; I would like to paint its
portrait." lie selected one and ga\'e me. I disliked to see
even one disturbed, they looked so bright and happy. I could
almost hear them say: "We are on a little trip, and we have
a pass for the whole party."

I have given you only three varieties of cactus, but there
are many more. They blossom on tl mountains from July to
the last of September. Hundreds of plants are taken away
every summer by tourists to be transplanted to a foreign soil.

On the second day we drove o\-er to Poncha Sprinrs, a little
town five miles west of vSalida. During the drive we passed many
fine ranches. One especially attracted our attention. Tlic house
was built after the I^nglish st3'le, and was reacucd from the main
road by little l^ridges that crossed the south fork of the Arkansas
river. The soft-eyed Jersey antl her six-monihs' old daughter
stood near the lane as we passed, and seemed disappointed that
we did not enter.

On reaching the village we drove at once u\) the mountain

G ' I, ! A

WILD FI.OWHRS OF COLORADO. 33

to see the hot sprinos that — "Well, sir, they will bile 'n egg in
five minutes." And sure enough, there they were, steaming hot
and constantly boiling. One wondered how long they had been
so, what made them so, and how long they would continue to boil.
The ground around us seemed actually hot, and the men ot our
party, the pockets of whose hunting jackets were filled with
every thing that \\'ould "go off," decided that they were safer
a little further down the niountain. Part of the party wanted
to trv the hot baths, and left us for the bath house. I'he rest,
prospecting among the rocks, reported having seen thirty-eight
hot sprmgs.

Growing close by one of the smaller si)rings I found this
knight's-plume. I tlo not think it )'et possesses a botanical name.
1 ha\'c not been al)le to find one. It is not a common fiower in
this State, and I ha\-e only seen this one color — lax'cnder. It
grows from two to three feet high, and horn one root will spring
either five, seven, or nine stalks, cox'ered with a fine feathery
blossom which so resembles a plume. It blossoms from the
latter part of August until October.

One of the attendants at the springs told me of a xery rare
fiower he had fi)und two or three da)s before, and had in a \'ase
in his room. Expressing a wish to see it he brought it to me,
and I discox'cred it to be a wild orchid. The blossom was about
the size of a siK'cr dollar, and it had the rich brown markings so
peculiar to the orchid. I regretted exceedingly that it had been
broken from the plant so long that a correct [)ainting could not be

34 WILD I'LOWI'RS OF COLORADO.

given of it. It would have made a valuable addition to my
collection.

Our drive back to Salida was a deliirhtful one ; the settinir
sun threw lovely tinted shadows on the mountains and the road-
side looked like a flower garden because of the hundreds of prim-
roses in full bloom.

It was with some regret that we left the hotel and again took
up our quarters in the car ; but as we expected to start \Try early
in the morning Dick advised our moving in the night before.
We had gotten fairly settled when a rap was heard on the car
door, and on being answered, the farmer whom we had met the
day before came in. He said he had heard that we not only
traveled in the can but ate and slept there also, and he had a
great curiosity to see it. He was shown the arrangements of the
berths, ready for the night, the miniature kitchen and all of its
appointments, the little tables used ; and Dick, with much pride,
arranged a dainty lunch upon one for him.

We found him a very intellioent and interestinij man. He
told us about the ranch he had "taken up" some eight years ago.
His home had been in Iowa, and the second )ear after his mar-
riage he and his wife came to Colorado. "We traveled quite
differently from this," he said ; "and yet when we left home
father thought we had a ^ood start. Wc came in our own
wagons, and had good horses. It took us two weeks and four
days to make the trip. A neighbor's son came out here the year
before, and so we knew just how to come. We ha\e a nice place

WILD FI.()\VI:rs of COLORADO. 35

now," and \vavin.«r his hand with a httlc proud gesture said,
"I would Hke to have you all come and sec it." Just before
leaving he presented the mountain lion, we had all so much
admired, to the party. It was immediately accepted, and Dick
commenced at once to pack it so it could be sent the following
day by express to a taxidermist living at Denver.

The next day was a l.^eautiful one ; surely the climate in this
part of the State is perfect. We commenced climbing from
the very start. Up, up, we went, turning numberless "horse-
shoes," each one higher than the last, until we reached the
summit, or Marshall Pass. The grandeur of this spot and the
view from it are far beyond any possible description of mine.
Snow sheds cover the track at this point, but large openings
are made on the side, and one has before him a view that
for height or grandeur would be difficult to surjjass in this or
any other country.

We made a very short stop here, but Dick found time to dig
up for me this fine Gilia. The pass was red with them. I
think them the most gracefid of the wikl flowers. As they
arc approached they seem to move from you and to beckon you
on with their constantly swaying motion. The stems, as you
see, are \'ery slender, and often run up to a height of two feet. I
have counted forty blossoms on one stem. The blossom much
resembles the cypress, and the Gilia is often called standing
cypress.

Our ride down Mai-shall Pass was an excitino" one. Down,

36 WILD FL0W1':RS of COLORADO.

down, we went so fast that I felt mdch as the school-boy docs on
his sled with a o-ood long icy hill before him : "Look out there,
boys, I'm coming ! "

I forgot to say that when we left Denver our destination
was Cimarron. The reputation that i)lace was beginning to have
for hunting and fishing decided the men. It was a run of four
hours from Marshall Pass, and we arrix'ed there in time for a
good dinner. We side-tracked the car and made preparations
for remaining the rest of the thirty days. Cimarron is a grand
place. It is at the head of the Black Canyon. A wilder spot
could not be imagined. There is little in the way of buildings,
aside from the hotel and railroad houses, and as for "turnouts,"
it boasts of one good mountain-wagon and a team of horses that
are faithful and sure — not to run away.

The owner of this outfit, Mr. Smith, is as "sure" as his
horses, and never yet has he allowed any giddy young man to
take the reins. On our arrival we were informed that if we
wanted the services of Mr. Smith we must enoaiic him at once,
as he and his "rig" were in demand. Dick, accompanied by the
men, started at once to find the leading man of the place.

As we entered CimarnMi I had seen something purple across
the river from the car window. So, taking my box and stool,
I went in search of it. After a short walk I found a foot-bridue.
Crossing over I was well rewarded, for the "something purple"
was a fine bunch of Gentian. I selected this one from the wealth
of flowers on the one stalk. You will observe that I have driven

•i^ m^

'")***• ftiir-

rtui'

WILD I'LOWI'.RS OI-- COLORAIXI. 3/

a portion of the root. It grows no higher here than represented
in the painting.

The gentian will he more familiar to lo\-crs of wild flower.^
than any of the others I may ha\e gix'en )-()U. It is [he fuorite
wiltl flower of the East. Here the blossoms are larger and richer
in color, blossoming much closer to the stalk, the stalk itself being
much thicker than the gentian of the New England states.

This flower always reminds me of a little storx- I read \-ears
ai^o when I was a child, of a kins>" who loved little children so
well that when they canie to see hnn he j)resented theni with
a flc^wer called the gentian, and told them to follow the twample
of the flower by looking up to heax'en for beauty ot lace and char-
acter. For years after when I found the gentian I thought of the
good king and his advice and naturally U)oked up, hoping that b\'
doing so I would receive the promised reward.

I had nex'cr heard a common name gix'cn to this flower, but,
as I was returninii" to cami), I met a little idrl, dauiihter of one
of the natives. *' Little girl," I said, "will )'()U tell me the name
of this flower?" showing her my sketch. " 'J'hat ? Oh, )es'm,
it's burro's lily." "Why is it called burro's lil)-?" I asked.
"'Cause the i)urros nex'er hurt it, but munch all round it, like
as if they lo^'cd it. S'pose they do, and that's wh}' folks call
it that."

I knew before I had reached camp that something [)leasant
had happened. I coidd see Dick in the distance, and it was
a face brim full of pleasure that met me to tell me the good nc^ws.

3^ WILD 1'Lo\vi:rs of Colorado.

The outfit had been secured for the next day, and we .vere all to
i>-o on a fishini)- excursion.

You know the old, old story of getting ready for a day's
fishing ? iMi-st we must all he up l)y five o'clock, take breakfast
at half-past, and be all ready to start at six. These were the
orders received the night before. I know that we were calletl at
five o'clock, but it was seven before all had finished their breakfast.
Then the rods, flies, baskets for the fish, and, niost important
of all, the lunch, must be got ready. \Vc prepare the lunch, aiid
know that that part of the work is well done, when we are asked :
"Did we have the salt and pepper?" We are afraid we have
forgotten the salt, and so the basket is unpacked, this time
spreading the contents for a grand re\-iew. At last we are con-
fident that nothing is f)rgotten and we are ready to start. It is
now just nine o'clock.

The driver has the spring seat, and we— the bottom of
the wagon. Of course there is plenty of straw, and we are
packed in according to— Smith. The horses spring f )rward, and
one feels like offering assistance to the driver. But we soon dis-
cover that it is unnecessary ; the spring is over and put carefully
away for the next party.

It was a drive long to be rcmeml^ered. If there was a stone
missed on that trip it was through no fault of the drix'cr, and I,
who sat directly over the back axle, can bear witness that none
escaped.

This part of the country being new to Dick he was very

WILD FL0\VI:RS of COLORADO. ](.)

quiet, hut listened attentively to all Mr. Smith's descriptions,
storing" them carefully away for future use.

The road follows closely the Cimarron rlx'er. It is a pretty
stream, the water clear as crystal but very swift, making hundreds
of little waterfalls as it ruslies on its way to join the grand
Arkansas.

We had reached the summit of a long hill, when Mr. Smith,
turning to us said : " Do you see that long log house yonder, off
to the right, there ? Well, that is the place where the Meeker
women were secreted ; and to save their lives and the lives of
many others, poor young Jackson was gi\'en up to the Indians from
th: t very house." By this time we had reached the place. It is
a one-story log house, having the appearance of rooms being
added from time to time until the house and stables have become
close neighl)ors. It is deserted now, and rapidly going to decay.
At one time, before the railroad ran through this j)art of the
country, it was an im[)ortant stage station.

The place, to me, who a few \ears ago had read of these
women and the mart}-r death of Jackson, ^\•as siu-rounded w ith
interest ; and I could picture those hcli)less women (leeinu- there
for protection.

Growing near the house I found this bunch of golden asters.
I have given you only the top of the branches. Thex' flower, as
you see, on the extreme end. This launch grew very tall, three
feet high, I should think. The leaxes are small and slender.

While I was making my sketch, the party alighted, and,

40 wii.n I'L()\vi;ks oI'- Colorado.

(Tointj; throu<']i the dcscrtccl huildinos, were interested In readinir
the many inscriptions written on the loos. The names of Jackson
and Meeker were cut in a consiMcuous pLace, but I do not tiiink
they were placed there by the owners of the names. They had
little desire to lea\'e their autographs, even in this secluded spot.

About a mile from the old loi>- house the men decided to
camp. It was a pretty spot just at the bend of the ri\'er and
under some hne old trees. The driver assured them it was
the \'ery place where he had caught forty-fix'c as fine speckled
trout as he had ever seen. This was enough, and in a remarkably
short time we saw our four triends each with a rod over his
shoulder and a fish-basket in his hand, going in different direc-
tions toward the ri\er. They did not seem to care for the
company of each other, and we ladies were entirely forgotten.

" Let 'em go," said Mr. Smith, with a knowing smile ; "me
and Dick 11 gix'e 'em a surprise. I know a spot where we can
get enough tor dinner by the time you have the coffee made and
the table sot."

While the drix'er had been taking care ot his horses, Dick
had built with some stones a little fireplace and on them i)laced
the coffee-pot filled with good spring water, read)' for boiling.
We started the fire, and then selecting a grassy spot we laid the
cloth and unpacked the basket. A monument of hard boiled
eggs adorned the center of the table, supported on each side
by plates of sandwiches, fresh and delicious to look upon. Then
came the plate of cold roast "fall" chicken, cut in [)ieccs just

WILD FLOWHRS OF COLORADO. 4 1

large cno'.ioh to hold in the finoers. The pickles were con-
spicuous, each man havino- contributed a bottle, and so we placed
then' upon the four corners of the cloth to act in a double
capacity — to hold the table-cloth down, and to indicate to each
man that he was to sit op[)osite his own bottle.

While waiting for the trout I made a study of these lavender
asters. They grow close to the ground, and are often called
the spider aster. I have seen but the two colors, white and
lavender. It flowers late in the fall, and makes its appearance as
early as June.

The water had just commenced boiling when Dick and his
companion were seen in the distance. They held u[) a shining
string" of fish. I wish vou could ha\'e seen the nine beautilul
trout they had caught. Ihey at once commenced preparmg
them for cooking. Dick prided himself on his cooking, and
always carried with hiin on his trips his little box of cooking
utensils. " Oh, these are beauties," he said, as he placed the
pan offish over the fire, "four of them fill the pan completely.
We had better blow the horn for the fishermen to come to dinner,
and they can see them before they shrink in the cooking."

The horn was promptly answered. They came, each man
carrying his basket as though it was hea\'y, but quickly dropped
their baskets when they saw the pan of fish and stood in silence
while Dick told them of the spot and t)romiscd to take them there
as soon as all had finished dinner.

To say that the lunch was good would but poorly express it.

42 WILD I'l.OWKRS OF COLORADO.

" Oh," said one of the men, " I have attended many banquets
and dinner-parties, ])ut I have ne\er enjoyed one as much as
this," and helping- himself to another piece of trout and the last
boiled egg, he was oblivious to e\ery thing arountl liim.

While Dick had gone to show the ])lace in tlie river that had
furnished the trout for dinner, ]\Ir. Smith offered to take the
ladies for a drive, and, it we liked, he would show us the place
where they killed Jackson. "It was only a mile or two away,"
he said.

A more lonely, desolate looking place would be hard to
imagine. A few feet from the spot where the Indians did their
cruel work grew, like a living monument, this e})ilobiimi, or
butterfly-flower. I begged the [)arty to wait antl allow me to
make a painting of it as a souvenir of the lonely place v.hich
history has niade famous. The epilol^ium is a common flov jr in
this State. It grows sometimes three and loin- feet high. The
leaves are lart^e and rank. It flowers from Au<>'ust until late fall.

All pronounced the day a success. We reached camj) at
Cimarron just before dark. 1 he little account book was brought
out, and a flattering number of flsh caught was placed before each
man's name.

Arising very early one mornmg I decided to take a cup
of coffee and tlien go into the Black Canyon and make a sketch
of some thimble blossoms I had seen growing there. The morn-
ing was beautiful. The canyon looked more grand to rne in the
early morning light than at any time l^efore. The mountains

fni.N1i-iW jji\'Ll',,M

WILD IL()\V1:KS Ol' COLORADO. 43

looked hit^hcr and the rushlni^ rl\'cr deeper. In spots where the
sun would strike the rocks you could see all the colors that come
from the mineral, and I could well ai)preciate the name of
Colorado i^iven to this state. I think the hour spent in makini^
this study was the most peaceful in my memory. Constantl)' the
words of that beautiful h)'mn would come to me : " Peace on
earth, i^ood will toward men ;" and the rushinu^ rix'cr below, with
its musical echo, seemed to be playini^ the accompaniment.

I was much interested in my study. It is a flower that
seems to hold itself above the others in its bold and di<>"nified
bearing. I have heard it called the "drum major," from the
resemblance the disk or fleshy expansion has to the tall fur hat
that so proudly adorns the head of that important personage.
The i)lant grows on the side of the mountains and near running
water, varying in height froni one to fi\'e feet. It has some
resemblance to the wild coreo[)sis of the East.

I had nearly finished my work when I saw men coming into
the canyon ; a bridge had been weakened by the rising of the
river, and they were on their way to repair it. Suddenly they
turned and ran in the direction of their tents, but soon rc-appcared
with guns. Looking up the canyon I discovered the cause of
their excitement. A beautiful deer had come into the canyon for
water, and seeing the men it tried to escape l.»y climbing up the
side of the gorge. About thirty feet from the to[) of the mountain
the rocks projected. On the ledge stood the graceful animal,
looking first at the men hurrying toward him, then up at the

44 WILD ii.()\vi:rs ok Colorado.

|)cr[)ciKliciilar wall al)()\c. lie seemed to uiKlerstaiid that there
was no escape ; to go higher was im[)ossil)le, to stay where he
was or to descend was certain death, for alread}' the men were
within shooting distance. lie hesitated hut a moment, then
looking up as though to ask forgiveness for past sins and the one
about to be committed, he gave a fearful leap into the chasm,
falling on his head and dying instantly. It was e\'idently a
suicide. An old fellow near me remarked: "A downright
shame to cheat us all out of a fine shot and a good dinner,"
for venison, c-'MI in the mountains, is considered a luxury this
early in the fall.

I went near to look at the deer. He had a splendid set of
antlers. I asked the men if they would give his head to me.
"Why, yes, mum; it belongs to you as much as to any on us: w^e
all see him first." Sending for Dick, who had cjuite a reputation
as a taxidermist, we secured the head (which now adorns my
studio), and in triumph walked into camp. "Where did you get
it ?" "Are there any more ?" " Did you shoot it ?" were a few
of the questions asked me. I told them if they would promise to
give me the credit t)f securing "the first antlers of the hunt," I
would tell them the truth. They promised, and the story was
soon told, the result of which was that each man vowed he would
get up by sunrise every morning, go into the canyon, and watch
for deer.

The castclleia grows here in great abundance, and is, perhaps,
better remembered than any of the wild flowers. Children pick

TAIRV- Lily

WILD I'LOWMkS Ol- COI.ORAIK). 45

them and, arrangini^ them in ])()U(iucts, sell them to passengers
on the through trains at the stations. I ha\'e seen l)ou(|uets
bought in Marshall Pass remain fresh, \)y being plaeed in water,
until they reached Chicago. The common name is " painter's
brush," l)ut it has many others. The Indians call it "bloods-
nose," from its bright red color, I ha\e also seen it in )cllow,
pink and flesh tints. It grows to the height of eight and ten
inches, but the common h.eight is shown in the study gix'cn.
It grows e\'ery where, on the mountains and in the \-alleys. It
seems to have no choice t)t location.

I found this buncli al)out a half mile from cam]), and was
working diligently upon it with the hope of finishing it before
dark, when a shadow suddenly coxered my paper. Looking up
I saw standing near me an old man. " Paintin', be )er?"
"Well, yes," I said. "IIow^ do you like it?" and I held it
up for his inspection. "Well, it looks mighty putty, Init don't
waste your time making a pictur' of blood)'-nose. Missus, if that is
w'at yc are in these parts for. I will take yer to a ])lace up on
the mountains where a flower grows that beats all the rest on 'em.
It grows in one spot every year, and Sunday, when I was up
there, I sec the w^hole familv rigged out to kill." "The iamil}- ?"
I asked. "Yes, the flowers, ye know; ne\'er see 'em rigged out
so fine before." " I would consider it a great lax'or it )'ou would
introduce me to this finely dressed family," I said. "Oh, no
favor, mum. I'm going up the -mountain by daylight in the
morning to hunt up a stray cow been gone now nigh on a

46 wii.i) 1'1,()\vi:rs of Colorado.

week — and I'll just i^et tin: whole hunch, as I come hack, and
hrino- 'em U) \()U." "Oh, no," I said, "I could not think of
hreakini;" u[) so interesting" a famil\- ; Kt nie i^o with you, and
I will pay them a \isit at their own home." "W'ell, well," he
said, " just as )()u say, hut it is mighty hi.L;h and roui;]!, yet ye do
look run;i;"e(l. Ye can ha\e Betsey's old shoes ; them thin things
of vourn would he left on the wa\' ni little hits: mountains ain't
no L;()od place for them kind ot shoes." I told him I owned a
pair ot mountain shoes and would surely wear them on our trip, if
he would allow me to ^o with him. "Yes, yes, i;lad to take
yer;" and exten(hn<4" his hand he said: "Ciood-l)\" till morning."

TLarly the next morning- I started with this kind old man,
who, no matter how roui^h in (h"ess and speech, had a loxe for the
heautiful, and for years hail watched this lovely ik)wer hloom on
the mountains.

In less than an hour after we left the cabin I was presented
to the family which he had so highly praisech and proud he
was when he saw my delight. Around the Bowers h)r the space
of several feet the grass was free from weeds and had the appear-
ance of being recently cut. I iiKjuired why this was so. " Oh,"
he said, " I cut it the last time I was up here. I all'ys hax'e to
pass right along here when I go o\'er the mountain, and I hate
to see the poor things choked to death." There was a sndle on
his face that reminded me of one I had seen on the face of a fond
father when speaking of his little ones at home.

Clustered together, they gre ,v to a height of two feet. On

WILD 1''L0\V1:RS of COLORADO. 47

the tips of the plant these ahnost transparent, dehcate Httle bhie
blossoms were flowered. They swayed constantly, as if nodding
their thanks tor the morning siui and the fresh mountain air
oiven them. It was a lovely picture — one I will not soon forget.
I fear that my brush has made but a poor representation of it.

I asked my new-found friend the name of this, his favorite
fl(nver. "Oh, a gcxxl bit ago me and Betsey named it fairy-lily,
arter our little Lily we left back in the States." I thought it
appropriately named, and.s.o we will call it "the fairy lily." I am
unable to find its botanical name, and doubt its ha\'ing one. It
belongs to the Linum family.

Perhaps the hardest day spent at Cimarron was the one
selected for our jMcnic. It was to be spent in one of the pretty
parks on a mountain about two miles from cam|). The road
to the park was only a trail, and to get there we must go on horse-
back. It was easy to say go on horseback — but where were the
horses ?

Mr. Smith had been engaged to take a latcl}' ai-ri\ed part)'
out hunting, and expected to be gone for several da\ s ; but "he
guessed he could rig us up on some burros he had. rhe\- were
good travelers — slow, but sure." I wish )'ou could , hax'e seen
them when they were brought to us "all saddled and bridled."
Six worse loi^kinLT animals I never saw. Thev looked all ears.
The saddles were too large, and, to make them fit, pieces of carpet,
gunnysack and old blankets had been placed under them. The
laro'cst burro had a bell attached to his neck, and we were told

4>S WILD I'l.OWI'.kS f)I- COLORADO.

that he must lead, the others would follow without "■ui(hn<^. I
would like to ^ive you a sketch of the start, but, as m}' sketches
must be confined to Howers, I refrain.

We follow the bell. The animals arc so small that the tall
men of the party are obliged t(; hold their legs akimbo to keep
their feet from dragging. There was a halt at least e\'ery ten
minutes. Some one of the [)arty is on the ground instead of on
the burro, and the sad(lle is where the "cingle" should be. The
unfortunate one is helped up, the saddle is adjusted, and we start
again — I wish I could say on a trot, but with all the coaxing and
whipping they can not be persuaded to go faster than a walk, and
they insist upon having their own wa)' in climbing a mountain.
Thev follow their leader, who will <>"o alon'>; the side of the
mountain for eight or ten rods, then take a short upward turn of
ten or twelve feet, and make a trail in the shape of the letter
S until they reach the top. They are taught this, when young,
by the miners, who use them for carrying immense loads to their
mines. I ha\'e seen them so loaded down with tents, j)ro\'isions,
and all kinds ot cabin lurmture that you could hartlly see the
animal.

It is a (|ueer sight to see ten or fifteen of these little things
starting out for some mine, [)erhaps miles away. They will carry
without injury to themseK'cs two hundred and fifty pounds each.

On one of them I once saw^ tent poles fastened on length-
wise ; on these was placed a tent, and on the tent sat a cooking
stove, with tead<ettle and fr}ing-pan fastened on it. You could

WllJ) IL()\\i:rs Ol'- COI.nRADO. in

just sec the little feet and ankles of the hiirro. Me looked like a
walking- cooking-stove, ready to stop at anv moment and cook von
a meal to order.

At last we reach the picnic grounds. The l)urro with the
hell is made fast to a tree and the others allowed their freedom,
as we were assured by their master that nothing would drixe
them from their leader. We select a shady place, and, as all are
exhausted from laughter and the exertion to remain in the saddle,
decide to rest before taking lunch.

As I slip[)ed from my saddle I saw near me some fine
mallows, and while the others were resting I at once commenced
m}' work. I hey looked so small and delicate, growing in the rank
grass, then- little i)ink faces turned toward the sun, that 1 thought
(){ them as "little nuns from a cloister ;" when they came out the
sun kissed them, and they blushed ])ink. The blossom much
resembles a miniature hollyhock, and if I were going t() gi\e it a
common name I would call it the wild hollyhock. It grows from
eight to ten inches high, and llowers from August until October.

1 found the party seated at lunch. I had been informed
some time belore that they would wait f(M- me — just ten minutes,
and I knew I had tried their patience by keepintr them waiting-
at least twenty. How good the lunch did taste ! Dick made
the coffee, and he felt well repaid for his trouble when the
demand for the third cup was made l)y all.

After lunch we did a little i)rospecting and found an iron
spring. The water was cool and delicious, and pronounced as

50 WILD I'LcnVlCRS UF CULORAUO.

fine as the noted spring- at Manitou. The men were sure they
had made a wonderful discovery, and bottled some of the water
to have it analyzed.

In the soft earth near the spring were distinctly seen tracks
that much resembled the deer's foot. Dick was at once called to
decide, and he said there was not the least doubt of its being
deer. The men wanted to return to camp at once and make
preparations for the next day to hunt for deer. All interest in
our picnic was gone from the moment the deer's tracks had been
discovered, and the selfish men were anxious to start for home.
Seeing we were to have no more pleasure from then* society we
consented to start for camp. So, packing up our baskets, we
no for the burros, lau<diini)^ to think of our ride back down the
mountain. If it had been difficult to remain on their backs
commg up, what would it be going down ?

" Yes, there is the leader with the bell, but where, oh where,
are the other burros?" The leader wai><»-ed his ears in a manner
which plainly expressed that he could tell if he chose, but he did
not choose.

A search was made, but no burros found. "Oh, Dick!
what shall we do?" was asked by all. " W'^ell, faith, I think the
walking home will be done by two legs instead of four." As
he was stra[)ping our traps on the leader he was heard to
remark: "None of your winking at me, ye measly beast, I
believe my soul you jnit it in their heads to do it."

I think we all enjoyed the walk home ; we rested many

WILD FL0\V1:RS of COLORADO. 5 I

times, and at each stop saw some new beauties in the lovely land-
scape before us. We could see "Ouray" Mountain, with its
peaks covered with snow, while around us in full bloom were
hundreds and hundreds of flowers.

Just before we reached camp I found this "Oenothera," or
evening primrose. It was growing in the grass and about the
height I have given in the plate. It blossoms from June until
October. The blossom is perfect at about five o'clock. To be
able to make this sketch repaid me for my walk home, and I
freely forgave the wicked " burro."

Every day brought some new pleasure ; we had plenty of
game and fresh trout for breakfast every morning, yet the men
had not been rewartied by the early watch in the canyon for deer,
and to carry back at least one was their great desire.

Our friend of the hotel came to the rescue. He knew "a
scout by the name of Johnson, who had just come in, and he was
the man to find deer. He had had wonderful success."

Johnson was sent for and soon made his appearance in
camp. He told them "if they were willing to tramp and spend
one night in the mountains he reckoned they would bring home a
few." They were willing to tramp and to make any sacrifice to
secure the coveted deer, so a trip was planned for the next
day. They left by daylight, on foot, taking with them well
packed, the " leading bu'"ro."

On the second day toward night we began to feel a little
anxious about our hunters, and we went to the top of lookout

•^•■AltY OF THF UNIVERSfTY

OF M fc^-kTA

52 WILD I'l.OWICRS Ol^ COLORADO.

hill to watch for them. After waitinij an hour we saw somethinii
coming. I thouglit it was a wild animal of the mountains, and
wanted to run. It appeared to have three heads, and it came
very slowly toward us. Soon we saw men slowly straggling
up the hill. We looked again at the animal and recognized
the ears ; the two additional heads belonged to two as fine deer
as one would wish to sec. They had been strapped to the burro,
and the pnov thing was quite exhausted from the heavy load and
long tramp.

To say that the men were proud of their success would
but poorly express it. It surpassed any pride I had ever before
seen, and gave us all real pleasure.

Dick gave a wonderful account of the flowers he had seen,
and had dug up quite a number for me, but none were perfect
except this cleome. It is quite common in this State, blossoming
in August and September, and sometimes later in the fall. "t
has two shades of color as I hax'c <»i\'en them. I have seen the
straw-color in Utah, but never in this State. It will grow in both
hio'h and low altitudes.

As cx'cry thing must have an end, so must very soon this
trip. Dick, who had charge of every thing, including time,
informed us that W(; had but one day more. "Only one day
more?"we all exclaimed. It did not seem possible that we had
spent together nearly thirty days, the time had gone so quickly
and pleasantly.

Now that we had but one day we thought of a hundred

Wi _i1 GIHArl'UM lEAjVES

WILD FI.OWKiiS (W COLORADO. 53

things wc wanted to do. To tiikc home d fme strint^ of speckled
trout seemed to be the aml)iti()n of the men. Dick, knowing this
would be the case, hatl arranged every thing the night before, and
was ready for an early start. I had remembered seeing on our
first fishing excursion some beautiful wild geranium leaves,
growing close to the ground, and I decided to go with the i)arty,
and on this, our last day, make them ni)' last sketch. They grow
in little clumps and resemble the autumn leax'cs. These I pulled
from the soft earth, the stems going into the ground within an
inch of the leaf. There are no two leaves alike in color, and ye<-
every shade is represented in them.

The trout caught that day by the party were a delight to all ;
one weighed two and a quarter pounds. They were carefully
packed in ice, and were among the trophies of our trip.

From Cimarron to Denver is just a day's ride, so by five
o'clock the next morninti" uur car was attached to the reiiular
passenger train of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway from
the west, and soon w^e were again climbing the mountains. All
seemctl (juiet, and many were the regrets that we were so soon to
part ; the Bohemian life suited us all, and to me it was a new and
delightful experience. Every moment had been a benefit. I
had studied nature more in those few days than in any one )ear
of my life. The sketches of flowers I had made and intended
to give to my friends grew handsomer to me as we looked them
over on our way home. " ]\Iy ! what a pretty book the\ would
make," said Dick. It was echoed by the whole l)arty. "And

54 WILD flo\vi:rs ok Colorado.

tell about the <too(1 times we have had," said all. So if my book
has not interested you, you must not blame me but our party, for
they proposed it.

We arrived home at nine o'clock in the eveninsi. It
was a beautifid moonlight night, much the same as the one on
which the trip was planned. In saying good-by we all promised,
that if every thing went well with us for one year from that time,
we would repeat our trip of "Thii'*ty days in the mountains of
Colorado."