OCR Text |
Show 60 FROM FORT LARAMIE TO FORT BRIDGER. the tube in two. The rates of the two chronometers, which were in the same wagons, were, however, unchanged. The large spring-wagon, containing all the instruments, came near meeting with a fatal accident to- day, by the breaking of a breast- chain while descending a steep hill, at the foot of which was a very precipitous ravine, and it was only saved from destruction by the promptitude and presence of mind of one of the men. The hills over which we passed to- day were composed of coarse sandstone and conglomerate, with a slight dip to the south. From the summit of some hills to the left of the road, a view was obtained of the ridge we had passed over yesterday. It terminated in some low hills. To the W. S. W. of this ridge, and parallel to it, about twelve or fifteen miles distant, was another higher ridge, of which Laramie Peak appeared to be the most easterly elevation. Toward the west was yet another, running north- west, the soil at the base of which was formed from the decomposition of the red sandstone and shales. On the ridge itself were found white and red sandstone, very hard, and foetid dark limestone, the same as that observed at the quarry near Fort Laramie. The dip was here fully 60° to north- east. Some fossils, TerebrattUa and Product ™ , were collected here, principally from the limestone. The strata in the valley appeared to consist of sandstone and shales, and were not conformable with the rocks forming the ridge. These rocks, nevertheless, were found cropping out in some places. On descending into the valley of the Platte, we passed a section of some gray sandstone, with, perhaps, some dark shales, probably carboniferous. Wednesday, July 25.- Morning bright and cool. Brisk wind from north- west. A distance of five miles up the Platte, over a sandy soil, brought us to Deer Creek, a bright, clear stream, running pleasantly through a large grove of timber, principally cotton-wood. Judging from appearances, this spot has been a favourite camp- ground for the emigrants. Property of every description was strewn about in all directions, and in much greater quantities than we had yet seen. Just above the mouth of this stream, there was a ferry over the Norh Fork of the Platte, at which I determined to cross the train. The means employed for this purpose were of the rudest and simplest kind. The ferry- boat was constructed of seven canoes, dug out from cotton- wood logs, fastened side by side with poles, a couple of hewn logs being secured across their tops, upon which the wheels of the wagons rested. This rude raft was drawn back and forth by means of a rope |