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Show IKON ORE- ANCIENT LAKE SHORE. 107 Old decayed wigwams, constructed of willows, indicated that this spot had long been a favourite place of resort for the Indians, for the same reason, doubtless, which rendered it so welcome to ourselves. On the summit of a ridge south- west of our halting- place, large masses of magnetic iron ore were discovered, some of which were partially encased in basaltic rock. In the ravine whence the spring broke out, were found pebbles of alabaster, obsidian, and other rocks, apparently the result of the disintegration of beds of conglomerate, none of which, however, was seen in place. Saturday, October 27.- Ther. at sunrise, 35°. Resuming our journey, we took a course south by east, which led us past the ridge upon which we had halted two nights before. The forma- * tion was porous trap, and the direction of the ridge north by west and south by east. We then passed along the base of a range of low hills, composed apparently of trap and basalt. After travelling ten miles, we came to a range of higher hills extending northwest and south- east. Here the dark limestone was again observed, but the stratification could not be ascertained. We then passed, in a southerly direction, through deep sand, along what at one time had been the beach of the lake, as drift- wood was frequently seen lying on the sands that stretch out to the eastward for many miles. In one instance a drifted cotton- wood log was seen, lying near what had evidently been the water- line of the lake, as thick as the body of a man. On our right was a high ridge or promontory, with a narrow bottom sloping down to the edge of the flat. The soil here was not so clayey as heretofore, being composed in many places of calcareous sand and decomposed conglomerate. Some masses of the latter were seen, resembling exactly that met with on the eastern side of the promontory range putting out into the lake. The country to- day has been similar to that passed over previously- dry, barren, and entirely destitute 6f water. We dug a well some five feet deep on the edge of the flat, which soon filled with water. The mules crowded around the hole, and seemed to watch the process of our labour, as if sensible of the object of our exertions, but upon tasting the water, refused to drink, although they had been travelling the whole day without a drop. Day's march, about sixteen miles. Sunday, October 28.- Our little stock of water had become so reduced that we were compelled to forego our coffee this morning, and the most rigid economy in the use of the former was strictly enforced. We were on the road very early, and followed for seve- |