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The Lady and the Mountain Man:
Isabella Bird, Mountain Man Jim Nugent, and their Unlikely Friendship
Isabella considered the criticism Evans had about Jim. She believed some of the animosity was born out of the fact that he was a popular character and articles about him frequently appeared in Colorado newspapers. He was a man to be envied, and Evans and others hoping to drive Jim out of the park were consumed with jealousy. “Ruffian as he looks,” Isabella elaborated on Jim in her memoirs, “the first word he speaks – to a lady, at least – places him on a level with educated gentlemen, and his conversation is brilliant, and full of the light and fitfulness of genius.”
Isabella always keenly felt Jim’s absences. On one hand she admired him greatly, and on the other she grieved the life she felt he wasted because of his unruly past. “What good could the future have in store for one who has for so long chosen evil,” she asked herself in her memoirs. After each encounter, she was consumed with the notion if Jim surrendered all to the Lord his path would be set straight again. Only then could there be hope for “a most painful spectacle.” Only then could there be hope the two might find happiness together. Thoughts of Jim and his restoration crowded her mind to the exclusion of all else. She couldn’t write. Distractions were necessary. Fortunately, the day after her exhilarating ride with Jim and the Deweys, Griff Evans provided one. Once again, he needed another hand to help with a cattle drive. Isabella gladly agreed.
The bronco Isabella was given to ride was quick and resilient. The pair traveled over rocks and inclines, driving the herds out of canyons and tree lines. While riding fast and pushing the cows forward, Isabella reflected on her days riding in Hawaii. That challenge had provided her with the experience needed to round up Texas steers.
