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Show " THE CHURCH"- PILOT BUTTE. 231 rise the thermometer stood at 22°. Shortly after leaving camp we ascended a hill opposite the mouth of the Muddy, and reached a remarkable isolated butte, to which the traders have given the name of " The Church." It is composed of green and brown indurated clay and brown sandstone, seamed and furrowed by the elements into fantastic and picturesque forms, resembling somewhat the ruins of a huge antiquated castle. Following the old road for a couple of miles farther, over a level country of sand and clay, almost denuded of vegetation, except occasional patches of artemisia, which seems to claim as its peculiar property soil where nothing else will grow, we came in sight of a high butte, situated on the eastern side of the Green River Valley, some forty miles distant: a landmark well known to the traders, and called by them Pilot Butte. Leaving the emigrant road here, we struck for this prominent elevation, passing, on our way to it, over a barren plain formed by the washings from the hills, which had covered up every vestige of vegetation, and presented an aspect of dreary desolation saddening to the heart. Passing a small brackish spring, which issues from the base of some coarse brown sandstone rocks, rising abruptly from the level plain to the height of twenty feet, we halted to take a meridian observation, which gave for latitude 41° 31' 08". 5. The mouth of Ham's Fork bears north 20° west, distant four miles, the mouth of Black's Fork being about thirty miles below. From this point the land descends gently for twelve miles to Black's Fork, which we crossed at an excellent ford, and encamped on its left bank, amid thickets of willows, and fine grass for our animals. The stream was about a hundred and forty feet wide, and easily forded. In times of high water it is probably from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet wide, with a depth of from six to eight feet. The vegetation, to- day, has been very sparse, and consists principally of dwarf sage and grease- wood bushes, with low bunch- grass. Black currants abound on the banks of the stream. In many places the ground has been thickly strewn with gravel and pebbles, mostly siliceous, with occasional appearance of argillaceous limestone. Day's travel, twenty- five and a- half miles; total from Fort Bridger, forty- seven and a- half miles. Friday, September 13.- Morning overcast, and threatening rain. Ther. 47°. As we were in the act of leaving the camp- ground, an alarm was given that a body of armed men on horseback was |