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Show 36 FBOM PORT KEARNY TO BtHLT' LARAMIE. V to follow still further the main rofed, which soon led us up one of those points of heavy sand- bluffs which here put down directly to the river, being cut up in the most fantastic manner by precipitous, wide, and abrupt ravines of white sand. Keeping back of the heads of these, we again turned down to the river, and halted to noon on the bank of the Platte* To- day, buffalo were seen from the road, for the first time, feeding in large detached herds, scattered over the prairies like huge droves of cattle. The sight, to those of us who had never beheld these animals, was exceedingly interesting, and reminded me of the herds I had seen spread for miles over the lovely and fertile valley of Mad River, in. Ohio. There must have been several thousands within our view, grating in peaceful security. The effect upon our hunters, and, in fact, upon the whole party, was that of ftudden and most intense excitement, and a yearning, feverish desire to secure as much as possible of this noble game. Archambault, the guide, had started early in the morning for the bluffs to hunt, taking with him another man, both mounted. About two o'clock they returned, loaded down with the choice piedes of three fat cows, which they had killed. After we had advanced a mile on the afternoon's march, a large band of these animals was discovered directly ahead and near the road. The opportunity was too tempting to be resisted. There ^ was no prospect of getting buffalo above, as they were evidently travelling south; and I determined therefore, to remain where we were during this and the " following day, and to send out and secure as muoh meat as possible before crossing the South Fork. - A halt was accordingly made at once, the hunters sent forward, and the afternoon occupied in drying the meat brought in during the morning. * Our menf, however, failed in approaching the great herd before they took the alarm and vanished. The result of to- day's work, nevertheless, wad five killed, of which four were secured and brought into camp. On the succeeding day three more were killed. The flesh thus obtained was forthwith cut into thin strips, dried over a fire on a willow frame, and packed into sacks for future use. Saturday, June 80.- Ther. at sunrise, 61°; Bar. 2T. 08; with heavy fog. The road, all the morning, continued at the* foot of the gently sloping bluff of the Platte, with a wide level bottom, the uniformity of its surface unbroken by a single bush. A large* island was passed, of about six miles in length, by two and a- half in width, level as a floor, with here and there a clump or grove of timber on either margin. A small herd of buffalo was descried in |
