I here met two miners preparing to explore…

chunk 950 · paragraph 1242

at the famous Maxwell land grant, and encountering several mining camps, no one could give me information of my horse. Then I gave up the chase, having lost all traces. Descending one of the lofty peaks I was soon inclosed in a beautiful canyon which let out to Ute creek. I here met two miners preparing to explore an old mine, or rather a worked out mine. They asked me to join them, to which I assented. I again asked of my horse, to which I received the usual negative. I remained till next morn- ing, and started with them to explore the mine. This mine was about two miles away, and soon we were there. Arrived at the mine, and judg- ing from the dump of country rock piled up, it v/as either a very rich mine or no mine at all. No signs of ore were on the outside dump. An open cut was at an incline of 45 degrees. We entered, and were soon in what one would sup- pose to be a cave. Candles were lighted, and a general search followed. The formation was porphyry and judging from the gouging done it was apparent that great quantities of precious metal had been taken out. There were no tim- bers, and the only support was one large pillar left in about the center of the working, about