s to be met with in the middle of the
continent adjacent to the watersheds of the Missouri and Mississippi,
where the open country extends like a panorama on either side for miles.

The Black Hills proper partly lie in Dakota, occupying the south-west
extremity of that state, and partly in Wyoming, and are almost encircled
by the Cheyenne river, the principal fork of that stream extending in a
curve right round the northern limit of the region, to where it joins
the lesser tributary, which similarly skirts the southern side of the
hills. On the north-east, the two branches then unite in one large
river, styled by way of contrast "The Big Cheyenne," which ultimately
falls into the vast rolling tide of the Missouri, some hundred miles
further on due east, at a place called Fort Bennett.

The branches of the Cheyenne are not the only streams of the region, for
many others, some of considerable dimensions and volume, and others mere
tiny brooklets, wander in every direction through the country. The
Black Hills are divided from the adjacent prairie by a series of valleys
some two to three miles across; while, away back from the more elevated
points, the land rolls off into a series of undulating plains, covered
with grasses of every hue, and timbered along the banks of the rivers
that transect them with the useful cottonwood tree, the ash and the
pine, mingled with occasional thickets of willow and the wild cherry,
and briars and brushwood of every description.

The operation of timbering the shaft making satisfactory progress, and
Ernest Wilton's water-wheel, that was to do such wonders, having been
"got well under weigh," as Seth expressed it, the chief members of the
party determined to have an "outing" into the open land lying beyond
their own especial valley, in search of game; for the cry for fresh meat
had again arisen in the camp and urged them on to fresh exertions to
supply the larder, quite apart from their own inclinations to have
another day off the dreary work of the mine, which seemed to fall most
upon Mr Rawlings and Seth, as it was at their mutual suggestion that
they went a "hunting,"--as a shooting expedition is termed in the New
World.

Having so determined, they carried their determination into effect, and
started.

"I should think you had plenty of game here?" said Ernest Wilton, when
they had left Minturne Creek some distance behind them, and entered upon
an extensive prairie, that stretched bef