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Show 42 FROM FORT KEARNY TO FORT LARAMIR. The toil on the top of the ravine seemed to consist of decomposed sand- rock, among which, however, were found some pieces of silicions limestone, with traces of encrinites. In one of the lateral ravines, a complete section of the rock was obtained. It was composed of layers of white sandstone, calcareous sandstone, sand, sand and clay, and granitic and quarts detritus, cemented by calcareous rocks. The only fossils found were the remains of encrinites, wjrioh existed in almost all tbe strata; and in some the quartsose portion of the rock was composed of their stems. Toward the lower part of the gorge was a bed or layer of marl, in which were the remains of what very much resembled the peed* of a plant. All the strata were horizontal. On examining them at the mouth of the hollow, on the following day, a stratum was found of botryoidal limestone, consisting of oblong pieces of mag-nesian limestone, cemented by a calcareous rock, and also another bed of sandy marl, containing remains of the seeds already mentioned, together with some oblong bodies, which were probably those of encrinites. Heavy thunder, wind, and rain, during the. night. Wednesday, July 4.- At 9 A. H., Bar. 26.76; Ther. 68°. This being a national festival, I determined to spend the day here and celebrate it as well as our limited means would permit. A salute was fyed morning and evening, and a moderate - allowance of grog perved out to the men, which, with a whole day's rest and plenty of buffalo- meat, rendered them quite happy. We had observed yesterday, on the opposite side of the river, a number of Indian lodges, pitched on the bank; but the total absence of any living or moving thing about them induced us from curiosity to pay them a visit. In order to do this, it was necessary to cross the river, here nearly a mile in breadth, with a strong, rapid current. I was afraid to risk any of the animals, as the bottom was known to be very treacherous and full of quicksands; so it was determined we should wade it. Having stripped to our drawers, we tied our shirts and moccasins around our necks to keep them dry, and, accompanied by five or six of the men, commenced the passage. Tbe water was up to our middle, and the strong and constant pressure of the current rendered our efforts to bear up against it very fatiguing. We struggled on, but very slowly, from the yielding nature of the sandy and marly bottom, which was immediately washed from beneath the foot every time it was placed on the ground. If we stood still in the same spot, even for a short time, |
