OCR Text |
Show 34 TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. CHAPTER V. Letter to W. H. Palmer-Col. Fremont's Return to St. Louis, and increased Illness- Expedition under charge of Delawares-Camp Proceeds to " Smoky Hills "-Fort Riley-Solomon's Fork-First Buffalo-Barometers go on a Buffalo Hunt-Encampment on *' Salt Creek "-Indian Method of Cooking Buffalo Meat-Olla Podrida- Wasting of Provisions-Kinnikinick-Havana Segars-Indian Amusements-Camp Life-Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water-Author's Opinion of Col. Fremont- He Nominates him for the Presidency. AFTER remaining at this camp two days, Mr. Strobel arrived with a letter from Col. Fremont to Mr. Palmer, stating that his increasing illness made it necessary that he should return to St. Louis for medical advice, and directed us to proceed as far as Smoky Hills, and encamp on the Saline fork of the Kansas River, where there were plenty of buffalo, and remain there until he joined us, which he hoped would be in a fortnight. The expedition, during encampment, was to be under the supervision of Mr. Palmer. Accordingly, we continued our journey, and crossed the Kansas River at its junction with the Republican, within half a mile from Fort Riley, thence to Solomon's Fork, in crossing which creek, some of the baggage of the camp became saturated with water. Immediately after crossing Solomon's Fork, we saw our first buffalo. As soon as he was discovered, our Delawares gave a whoop, and they all started, belter skelter, the officers and muleteers following, leaving the |