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Show 44 FROM FORT KEARNY TO FORT LARAMIE. proached rfnd looked into this lodge while the forsaken being was jet alive, and able partially to raise herself up and look - at them, but who, with a heartlessness that disgraces human nature, turned away, and, without an effort for her relief, left her alone to die! Which eompany deserved the epithet of savages, the terrified and flying red men, or the strong- hearted whites who thus consummated their cruel deed ? Leaving this melancholy scene, we reorossed the river and returned to our encampment, where preparations had been made for a Fourth of July- dinner. Although deprived of the vegetable luxuries upon which our Eastern friends were doubtless feasting, still our bill of fere would not have been unacceptable even to an epicure. Buffalo- soup, buffalo- ribs, tender- kin, and marrow- bones i'oastedi' boiled ham, stewed peaches, and broiled curlew, relished with a couple of bottles of cool claret, ( which had beeen carefully preserved for the occasion,) and crowned by a cup of coffee and a segar, made a meal which, notwithstanding the cup was of tin and our table the greensward, we thought not entirely unworthy of the day. In the evening two men came into camp and requested our hospitality: they had been emigrants, but were on their return to the States disgusted, having fallen out with their eompany by the way. Thursday, July 5th.-~ Bar. 26.67. Ther. 56°. We commenced our journey to- day up the North Fork of the Platte. The rOad winds along the bottom under the bluffs. The lower stratum consists of yellow clay, capped by cliffs of sandstone and silicious limestone, about two hundred feet in height. This formation was traced uninterruptedly for about twenty miles. The limestone appeared to contain no fossils- at least, none were discovered. Toward the end of the day's march the clay was left uncovered by the limestone, presenting bald eminences destitute of the least vegetation, which, from the action of the weather, had been worn into various curious and isolated peaks, of forms extremely picturesque. Encamped on the bank of the river, after a tedious march of twenty- three miles. Just- above us, was a village of Sioux* consisting of ten lodges. They were accompanied by Mr. Badeau, a trader; and, having been driven from the South Fork by the cholera, had fled to the emigrant- road, in the hope of obtaining medical aid from the whites. As soon as it was dark, the chief and a dozen of the braves of the village came and sat down itt a semicircle around the front of my tent, and, by means of an interpreter, informed mo that they would be very glad of a little |
