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Show 192 JOUHNAL OF A VOYAGE . and nearer by at the foot of the White mountains, which we were then descending, sandy hills. We marched on the outlet of the Inountains, and left the sandy desert to our right; kept down between it and the mountain ..... When we encamped, I ascended one of the largest hills of sand, and with my glass could di~cover a large river, flowing nearly north by west, and south by cast, through thr plain which came out of the third chain of mountains, about N. 7 5° W. the prairie between the two mountains bore nearly north and south. I returned to camp with the news of my discovery. The sand hills extended up and down at the foot of the White mountains, about 15 n1iles, and appeared to be about five n1ilcs in width. Their appearance was exactly that of the sea in a storm, (except as to color) not the least sign of vegetation existing thereon. Distance 15 miles. 29th January, Tbursday.-Finding the distance too great to attempt crossing immediately to the river, in a direct line, we marched obliquely to a copse of woods, which 1nade down a considerable distance from the mountains. Distance 17 miles. Saw sign of horses. 30th January, Friday.-W e marched hard, aml ar· rived in the evening on the banks (then supposed Red xivcr) of the Rio del Norte. Distance 24 miles. 31st January, Saturday-As there was no timber here we determined on descending until we found timber, in order to make transports to descend the river with, where we might establish a position that four or five might defend against the insolence, cupidity and barbarity of the savages, whilt the others returned to assist on the poor fellows who were left behind, at different points. \Ve descended 18 miles, when we n1ct a large west branch, emptying into the n1ain stream, up which about five milcsr TO TUE SOURCES OF THE ARKANSA '\V, &c. 19.3 we took up our station. Killed one deer. Distance 1 s n1ilcs. 1st February, Sunday.-Laid out the place for our works, and went out hunting. 2d February, Monday.-The doctor and n1yself went out to hunt, and with great difficulty, by night, killed one deer, at the distance of seven or eight 1niles fron1 camp, which we carried in. :3d February, Tucsday.-Spcnt in r eading, &c. 4th February, vrcdncsday.--vV ent out hunting, but aould not kill any thing. One of my n1en killed a deer. 5tb February, Tbursday.-'The doctor and n1yself went out to hunt, and after chasing some deer for several hours, without success, we asc~ndcd a high hill, which lay south of our camp, fron1 whence we had a view of all the prairie and rivers to the north of us ; it was at the same time one of the n1ost sublin1e and beautiful inland pro~· spccts ever presented to the eyes of n1an. The prairie lying nearly north and south, was probably GO miles by 45. The main river bursting out of the western mountain, and meeting fron1 the north-cast:~ a large branch, which divides the chain of mountains, proceeds down~the prairie, making many large and beautiful islands, one of which I judge contains 100,000 acres of land, all meadow ground, covered with innmncrable herds of deer ; about six miles from the mountains. which cross the prairie, at the south end, a branch of 12 steps wide, pays its tribut to the main stream fron1 the west course. Due \V. 1 ~0 • N. 7 5°. W. 6°. Four 1niles Ldow is a strcan1 of the same size, which enters on the east ; its general course is N. ()5°. E. up which was a large· road; frmn the cr::rancc of this down, was about thr~c miles, to the junction of the west fork., which waters the toot of the hill on the north, whilst the main river wound along in Incandrrs on the east. In c::hort., Rb |
