Belden, the White Chief, Or, Twelve Years Among the Wild Indians of the Plains (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1875. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER LXVI. TEE LANDS WEST OF POWDER RIVER AND NORTH OF THE SNAKE LANDS THE CLIMATE AND GRAZING IN MONTANA INDIANS AND HUNTING GROUNDS AN INDIAN BATTLE--THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER--INDIAN CAMPS ALONG BOWLDER CREEK--HOW SAVAGES AMUSE THEMSELVES--THE CROW NATION--A TRIBE OF GOURMANDS AND BEGOARS--PRIDE AND IGNORANCE OF THE SAVAGES--THE ROADS IN MONTANA--SOME REMARKS ON TRADE, STREAMS AND FORTS--TROUT FISHING NO HARD WOOD BEYOND THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS -- MONTANA MOUNTAINS GOLD FIELDS--THEIR YIELD MINES AND MINING--NEW DISCOVERIES--CHARACTERISTIC LETTERS--EXPENSIVE LIVING--ISOLATED POSITION OF MONTANA--HER FUTURE FARMING LANDS--COAL FIELDS THE INHABITANTS OF MONTANA--THEIR PECULIARITIES AND HABITS JUST west of the Powder River country, and north of the Snake lands is a very rich territory called Montana. The climate is delightful during the summer months, it not being too warm, and at night a person finds it necessary to sleep under one or more blankets. Much of the time the atmosphere is hazy, not unlike an Indian summer in the Eastern States. During the winter the weather is extremely cold, and people easily get frostbitten by exposure. It is never very windy, but quiet, still, cold weather, which is sometimes exceedingly pleasant. The grazing can not be excelled in any country, and much of the stock runs out all the winter, though there is by n( means any lack of snow. In spring-time the stock is fat, and it is fair to say that no better beef can be found. Horses and cattle thrive, and look fine and sleek. There is plenty of tim- ber on the mountain sides and in the cafions, and a thick under growth of bushes in which there is an abundance of berries. In such a country game must abound, and here are found the moose, elk, buffalo, deer, antelope, cinnamon or black b...