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Show TO FORT BRIDGER. 55 It has been the practice of thieving Indians, almost yearly, to fall upon the cattle belonging to the traders at this post and run them off. On the night of our encampment there a rumor prevailed that a band of Indians was in the vicinity on such a mission, and no little excitement occurred in con sequence. Every animal belonging to the traders was driven in from the grazing ground, and the Colonel furnished a guard for the protection of the settlement ; but the rumor proved to be false, and the guard was withdrawn in the morning, when we continued our march. This is a great country for " Forks." We have a Ham's, a Smith's, a Henry's, and we soon reached another Black's and then encamped. We were then in a more attractive, and what might be made a fertile and productive country. The banks of the stream were covered with wild roses, and tall rich grass took the place of sage- brush, very much to the gratification of the mules, for they had not had such grazing since we left Lodge Pole Creek. A remarkable natural curiosity in this vicinity is " Church Butte," a tall mound of soft sandstone and clay, which has been shaped by the winds and rains in this very muddy country, so as to present the appearance of the ruins of a vast gothic cathedral. Its towers and porch and pillars may be as distinctly traced as if the ruins of ancient ma sonry. Such winds as prevail here I might expect to blow anything into, or out of shape ; but I could hardly conceive it possible that such a grand object could be formed as it has been. Far above its steeple- like summits, was once the surface of this whole country around, but it has been gradually levelled, by the hand of time and the elements, and the butte, being a part more capable of resistance than the earth around it, remains a beautiful natural monument. The formation of the butte is of soft sandstone and its shape changes from year to year ; but those who saw it many years ago say it is not less remarkable now than it was when they first saw it. Along the road in this vicinity are found some very beau tiful specimens of the moss agate, a variety of translucent |