ntic catfish as it leaped out of the
water, and the loons driven southward by the approaching winter,
filled the air with their melancholy cries. Shortly after midnight a
gale sprang up which quickly churned the water into heavy waves and
before daylight a regular hurricane was blowing. Acres of fine sand
eddied and swirled about in the air, making it impossible to see more
than a yard or two ahead and almost suffocating them. By daylight the
fury of the storm was so great that the voyagers laid down on the bank
to take a much needed rest. When they started again, they found the town
of Pierre only one mile below where they had camped.

A halt was made at Pierre for a brief rest, the travelers stopping at a
comfortable little hotel. Paul had no more than arranged himself to
enjoy his pipe before sleeping, than he was called on by the editor, a
bustling, little man who was warmly enthusiastic on the resources of the
country about Pierre. He flitted into the room, introducing himself in a
breezy manner, and immediately produced a bottle from his hip pocket
and two glasses from the recesses of his coat tails; they were a recent
purchase for the straw had not yet been removed from them. His
astonishment at Paul's refusal to drink was so great that it quieted him
for a moment; but he soon broke forth again on the resources of the
country, depositing divers samples of what appeared to be black mud on
the table, which he called gumbo.

After a restful sleep, Paul and Creelman visited some of the sights of
the town, among which was the grave of "Arkansaw." He was a desperado
whose crimes were said to throw the exploits of Rocky Mountain ruffians
into the shade. Something over one year before, "Arkansaw," who was
then living at Fort Pierre, expressed a determination to visit Pierre,
on the other side of the river and "clean out the town." With this
philanthropic purpose in view, he crossed the river one bitter cold
night on the ice; but found a party of gentlemen, called
vigilantes, awaiting him and while he was loading in some liquid courage
at the principal bar of the place, some one called him to the door and
he was shot full of holes. They buried him next day and the funeral was
a very enthusiastic affair. One of the chief executioners, who was also
principal mourner at the burial, made the following characteristic
speech which was heartily endorsed by the citizens present: