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Show GREEN KIVER- BITTER CREEK VALLEY. 233 At this point we crossed the river, between banks some thirty, feet, high find eight hundred feet apart. The deepest water found in crossing was three feet, but in high stages it is a formidable stream, and will require to be ferried. The bottom is about a mile in width, and is covered with thickets of willows and abundance of grass. Following down the left bank of the river, we encamped in a clump of bitter cotton- woods, where, owing to the suspicious . vicinity^ of our Indian acquaintances of the morning, the animals were securely picketed and the guard doubled for the night. Two or three Indians had followed us all day, and, after partaking of a hearty supper, left us just before dark- as they said,, to rejoin their companions. We did not, however, feel called upon to place the most implicit confidence in their statements, and the necessity of increased vigilance during the night was impressed upon the guard, lest, upon waking, in the morning, we should find that our animals had disappeared. The weather began to clear before night, and enabled us to obtain an observation of Altair, which gave for latitude 41° 30' 44". 5, longitude 109° 88' 40". Day's march,- thirteen and a half, miles; and sixty- one miles from Fort Bridger, by. the route w; e have pursued, wbic^ with a little cafe, can. be much improved and shortened. Saturday, September 14.- Ther. at sunrise, 46°. A dense fog concealed every thing from view. The night had passed without, disturbance, which led me to suppose that the Indians yesterday had really no design upon our horses, as I had suspected. As it was impossible to move while the fog continued, the men were occupied in cleaning their arms, wetted by yesterday's rain. Black currants and buffalo- berries abound upon the banks of the river. The latter grow in great profusion upon a shrub about fifteen feet high. The berry is about the size of a pea, of a bright scarlet colour, and contains but one seed. It has a pleasant acid flavour, and would make an excellent jelly. The Indians are said to be extravagantly fond of it. . Before noon the fog lifted, with the promise of a fair day; we saddled up and started on our journey, directing our course up the valley of Bitter Greek, which enters Green River about a mile below. Crossing the bottom of Green River Valley, we passed the mouth of Bitter Greek, and ascended it the whole day's march. For the first half- dozen miles, the valley is much cut up by deep gullies, worn by the watqr from the rapidly decomposing hills on each side of the stream. These, however, present no serious ob~ |
