l character, that not until the tract was discovered the sixth time were the American people convinced of its exi

prospectors, led to a successful private exploring expedition from Montana. This was followed by a larger and semi-officia

ut its wonders appear to have produced little or no impression on the Indians; there is an absolute dearth of myths, legends, and even of superstitions concerning it. To me this is remarkable. From every point of view the natives regarded

twelve. Besides, it is mostly covered with a tangle of forests. In earlier days, living in it or traveling through it was difficu

nd an athlete who could hold his own in the games of the trappers' rendezvous. His endurance, courage, and resourcefulness were marvelous. Neither wilderness nor hostile Indian had terrors for him. The five years that he spent in the Yellowstone region were so crowded with wilderness adven

panions and started for St. Louis. After a solitary journey of about two thousand miles, he met Manuel Lisa, the celebrated trapper and trader, who,

mphant welcome awaited his return, he again postponed the enjoyment of all that old friends and city attracti

ed miles southeast of the Yellowstone Park. From here, with a thirty-pound pack and rifle, Colter set off alone

rers on the American continent. He discovered the Wind River Range, Union Pass, Jackson Hole, Teton Pass, Pierre's Hole, and the Grand Teton. He was the first to see the headwaters of those tw

ity Colter fought with the Crows, who were victorious. The Blackfeet blamed Colter for their defeat, and

nuel. A wound in the leg, which he had received in the fight with the Blackfeet, was not yet healed. The direct route that

sed along the west shore of Yellowstone Lake, and may have followed the Yellowstone River from the lake to the falls. He saw numerous geysers, hot springs, paint-pots, and possibly Sulphur Mountain. He noted that numerous rivers had their source

miles from Pierre's Hole and a round trip of about eight hundred miles. Asid

avers near the Three Forks of the Missouri. They were rowing up a small stream that flowed into the Jefferson River, the most western of the fo

As the canoe touched the shore, an Indian snatched Potts's rifle from him. Thereupon Colter sprang ashore, wrested the rifle from the Indian, and handed it to Potts who immediately pushed off into the stream. Col

ed to set him up for a target, but the chief interfered-that was not exciting enough for him. Seizing Colter by

in the direction of the Jefferson River, told him to save himself if he could, and cast

rsuers. When about half the five miles to the Jefferson had been covered, he ventured to look back. The Indian

ered the front of his body. He stopped suddenly, turned, and spread out his arms. The Blackfoot, almost upon him, but also exhausted, attempted t

d by the fallen runner. When others came, th

use, standing partly against the bank and partly in the water. Knowing that the entrance to the house was at t

s, but it may be doubted whether one ever before

search for the naked white man all the rest of the day. Apparently even their savage cunning nev

way. Naked, with bleeding feet, he walked over prickly pears on the prairie and through snow in the mountains, which he crossed above the timber-line. Th

t the men did not recognize him. He had been eleven days

reached them he was ambushed by Blackfeet, but escaped. He returned to the fort, and the following spring he was with P

journey by canoe in thirty days. Upon his arrival at St. Louis, he reported to his old commander, William Clark; told him the story of his journeys, discoveries, and adventures, and gave him

various journeys, are experiences within the range of human achievement. His hiding in a beaver house is easily possible. His race and his naked journey across the mountains show

ars 1809-11. He also got Colter's story from Colter himself, and gives a careful account of the race for life with the Blackfeet. The account given by General Thomas James, in "Three Years among the Indians and Mexicans," is a third first-hand story of Colter's activities. Washington Irv

ies, and adventures, and the people laughed in derision. For two generations

heard of him. He may have died shortly afterwards; or it is possible that, because of unjust public opinion, he may have moved into

or and independence of outdoors. Colter is an heroic and picturesque figure in n

"just another of old Jim Bridger's good yarns." Between 1830 and 1843 the region was visited by many trappers and traders, and its wonders were common knowledge to the plainsmen of t

led public attention away from the Yellowstone country, and by the beginning

by prospectors attracted to the region by the Montana gold excitement. At last Montana became mildly curious over these reports. In 1869, David E

rivates was detailed from Fort Ellis to escort the expedition. Among its nine civilians were General Henry D. Washburn, Surveyor-General of Montana; Nathaniel P. Langford, author of "Vigilante Days and Ways" and fi

eam of Old Faithful was first seen through t

went out into the wilderness than those who composed our party, and never wa

ial expedition to the Park the next year. This was a joint expedition made up from the Engineering Corps of the Army and from the United States Geological Survey of the Territories. The official United States Government

w States of the Union, containing more than five million people. And "Colter's Hell," when its existence had b