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Show 60 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES IN THE FAE WEST. him under all difficulties directly to the spot where he had left us. During the balance of the day, the camp was put in travelling order. With the arrival of Col. Fremont, our commissariat had received considerable additions of provisions, more, in fact, than he had any good reason to suppose we had consumed during his absence. The reverse was exactly the truth. The provisions intended for our journey had been lavishly expended, and surreptitiously purloined. Twice it became necessary to send to Fort Riley to procure supplies. The season had advanced, and it became imperatively necessary to continue onwards-we should have plenty of game until we got to Bent's Fort, where there always were kept large supplies of provisions, and where Col. Fremont intended to refit and replenish. At midnight, the fire crossed the Kansas River. I was in a great state of excitement. I mounted my horse and rode out in the direction of the Kansas, to see if the fire had actually crossed; I suppose I must have advanced within half a mile, before I discovered that the prairie was on fire on this side of it. I turned round, and galloped as I thought, in the direction of camp, but I could not descry it. I continued onwards; but as there were woods all around Salt Creek, I had lost my landmarks, and was in a terrible quandary. I however reached Salt Creek, and with great difficulty returned to camp, after an absence of three hours. At daylight, our animals were all packed, the camp raised, and all the men in their saddles. Our only escape was through the blazing grass; we dashed into |
