During the evening we had conversations with several persons familiar with the surrounding country; and they gave a glowing account of the South Park, representing it to be a beautiful, open country, lying just over the Green Horn range, about forty-five miles from Manitou, and that it abounded with deer, antelope, elk, etc., and that a large _bear_ had been killed but a few days before among the South Park pines. We were also informed that this was a favorite hunting-ground, and that small bands of _Indians_, who claimed the ground, were constantly wandering through the park in search of game; and considering white hunters _trespassers_, they often gave them much _trouble_. I had already seen many of the red race, could speak many words in their own tongue, and had become so used to their appearance that the quills and plumes did not scare me much; and the boys being delighted to hear of a country which afforded an opportunity to try their new guns, we _determined_ to visit the place, notwithstanding a little danger. CHAPTER II. Start for South Park--Ute Pass--Rainbow Falls--South Park--Bear Fight--Leadville--Sallie Ray--Chimney Gulch--Trout-Fishing--Denver--Cheyenne--Black Hills--Bitter Creek--Antelope Springs--Wolf Adventure--Green River--Old Emigrant Road--Echo Canon--Utah--Park City--Ontario Mine--Quartz-Mill--Kinds of Mines--Prospecting--Start for Salt Lake. The next morning we rose at the dawn of day, and after breakfast we filled our jug with soda-water and journeyed for South Park. There was but one accessible route from this place in that direction, and that was up through the famous Ute Pass. We had gone about a mile up the pass when we came to the Rainbow Falls, to the left of the narrow road. The waters of a mountain stream roll over a precipice one hundred feet high; and as it dashes over the rough, projecting crags and is lashed into foam against the rocky sides, its roaring can be heard far up and down the pass. During the forenoon in summer the sun reaches this place, and, striking the crystal waters as they roll over a certain large rock, a most perfect and beautiful rainbow, with brightest tints, is reflected upon the rocks at the side of the chasm. Hence the name, “Rainbow Falls.” Tourists to Manitou are usually taken up here on burros. The walls on either side of the pass were a couple of hundred feet high, and at some places almost met over our heads; and the gorge was so narrow that there were but few places where wagons could pass. It appears as though an all-wise Hand had hewed out this pass with an express design; for there would be no other possible way by which these rugged and towering mountains could be crossed. Though the way was yet rough and steep, we greatly appreciated our privilege.