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Show " THB CHURCH"- PILOT BVTtE. 281 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 trader* have given the name rf " 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, oyer a level country of sand and clay, almost denuded of vegetation, except occasional patches of artemisia, ifhich seems to olaim as its peculiar property soil where nothing . else will grow, we came in- tight 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 theni 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 hjlls, 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, rishig abruptly from the level plain to the height of twenty feet, we halted to take a meridian observation, which gave for latitude 41° 81' 08". 5, The mouth of Ham's Fork bears nortl} 20° west* distant fbur miles, the mouth of Black's Fork being vabout 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 encajnped on its left bank, amid thickets of willows,' and fine grass for our animals. The stream was about a hthndred 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 wat given that a body of armed men on horseback was |