form any close connection with this part of the narrative, seems to
illustrate the practical jokes which are sometimes played off by the
western men upon those who have yet to undergo their novitiate.

A German accidentally wandered out to and located himself in company
with others on or near the Greenhorn River, which is one of the
tributaries of the Arkansas. Their business was trading with the
Mormons, many of whom at that time traveled to Salt Lake, by what is
known as the Arkansas River route. In so doing, they came near
the vicinity of the site selected for trading purposes. In the
commencement, the German was very inexperienced in matters that
pertained to trading with these emigrants, and, as a matter of
course, in an Indian country, met with many singular adventures. It
so happened that this man was exceedingly afraid of rattlesnakes,
and those he was associated with, by way of amusement, delighted in
augmenting his fears by telling him wonderful stories of what feats
the reptile had been known to perform. On the first trip which he made
to the camp of some Mormons located about nine miles off, his ride
took him through a perfect hot-bed of these snakes. Behind his saddle,
on the horse's back which he rode, he had tied a bag of rice which he
had intended to barter. The German, not being used to riding, was a
poor horseman, while unfortunately, his steed was a spirited animal,
and at once, on his mounting, started off on a trot. The string of the
bag of rice became loosened by the severe jolting, and its contents
came tumbling on the ground in great quantities, but afterwards as the
stock on hand decreased, this was lessened. The German, who had his
hands full to keep his seat in the saddle, heard the rattling noise
behind him, but dared not look around, for fear of being thrown off
from his horse. He supposed he was chased by a ferocious snake, and,
at once, thought only of escape; therefore, seizing the mane of the