OCR Text |
Show 26 ' FBOM FOKT LBAVINWORTH TO FORT KEARNY. Amorpha, Oommelina, and Artemisia are still abundant, but the phlox is disappearing. In the bottom of the creek a species of larkspur and wild- onion abound; our men used the latter freely, and we found them quite palatable in flavouring our bean- soup. Shortly after resuming the march, we reached the dividing height between a tributary of Emigrant's Oeek and Sandy Creek, another affluent of the Little Blue. The view here was extensive and very beafitiful. The Sandy and its numerous small tributaries could be distinctly traced in all their sinuous courses, by their dense bordering foliage, now turned up by the wind, and contrasting strongly with the encircling bluffs that stood out against the sky, without a single bush or twig to relieve the sight. Indeed, the appearance of a tree, in all these regions of naked prairie, is to the traveller a certain indication of the presence of water; and in consequence, numerous tracks are to be seen, leading off from the main road to some sheltered and sequestered grove, affording the welcome indulgence of shade, wood, water, and grass to the weary-emigrant and his still more wearied* beasts. Elsewhere, during the long fatiguing day, shade there is none; unless, indeed, it be beneath his wagon, which to him is literally his home. In it he carries his all, and it serves him as tent, kitchen, parlour, and bed- x room, and not unfirequently as a boat, to ferry his load over an otherwise impassable stream. Many have no other shelter from die storm during the whole journey, and most of these vehicles are extremely tight, roomy, and comfortable. Encamped after a short march of five miles, on the right bank of the Sandy. In the afternoon we met four men from Fort Laramie, who informed us that a large band of some six hundred Pawnees had become so very trou* blesome to the emigrants between the Blue and Fort Kearny,, that a force had been despatched from that post to drive them off. A small party had also been discovered a few miles back, lurking under a cliff of rocks, a short distance south of the road, doubtless on the watch for another chance to steal our horses. We were on our guard, however. The camp was formed by drawing the wagons into a semi- circle, resting on the stream, with the tents pitched alternately between them, except those of the officers,, which were placed on the bank and faced the enclosure. Within this all the animals were carefully picketed, and a strong guard, well armed, set at dusk; Thqse precautions doubtless saved us from molestation. The formation to- day consisted of white and red sandstones, principally the latter, being evidently the sandstone formation1 |