92 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



or tooth did I find in its original position, but loose, detached, and 

 scattered, with the implements lying among them in the same way. 

 I was too much excited to think of that fact then. 



As Mr. Duncan was to return to the post-office at Silver Lake the 

 next day, starting at daylight, I gathered a cigar box full of the loose 

 teeth, arrow- and spear-points, and packed them to go to the professor 

 by mail. That night, by the light of a sage-brash fire, I wrote the 

 letter he saw fit to publish as soon as he received it. I then honestly 

 thought the implements and bones with which they were mingled 

 were of the same age. 



A few weeks later, in search of a new fossil field, I started out 

 among the sand-hills and sage-brush. Rather late in the day I was 

 attracted by seeing the top of a dead spruce sticking out of a high 

 sand-hill. My curiosity was excited, and I climbed to the top of 

 the hill to examine it. It may have been covered with sand for 

 probably a 100 years. I was, however, attracted by a pleasant little 

 valley, scooped out by the wind, on the other side, and, going down 

 to it, found I had stumbled upon the site of an old Indian village. 

 Even the places where their lodges had stood were marked by piles of 

 bleached deer and antelope and other bones of existing species. In 

 front of where each lodge had stood was a large stone mortar and 

 pestle of volcanic rock, probably used by the squaws for grinding 

 acorns and other seeds for making bread. I soon found where an 

 ancient arrows-maker had his shop. Scattered around were great piles 

 of flakes of obsidian, as well as quantities of broken and perfect arrow- 

 and spear-heads, beautifully polished and finished, as well as drills, 

 knives, and the like. Not a sign of anything made of iron could I 

 find. I pulled out from the base of a sand-hill a piece of the back 

 part of a human skull. I also found a spring of cool water that had 

 brought up enough fine sand to build a circular mound five feet above 

 the level of the valley. Doubtless a sand-storm had forced the vil- 

 lagers to flee for their lives, and they were unable to save the mortars. 

 I could not tell how large the village was, as it evidently continued 

 into the sand-hills beyond. 



As night was approaching, I gathered up all the lighter implements 

 I could conveniently carry and started for camp. Darkness overtook 

 me before I reached it and I came very near being lost. I gave my 

 pony the rein, and when I concluded I was near camp I shouted to 

 my only companion. At last I was delighted to hear George Loosely 's 

 welcome answer; but even then I could not reach it on account of a 

 deaf ear that prevents me from locating sound, and I was obliged to 

 wait until he came to me and guided me back in safety. After this 

 adventure I never again attempted to find the village. 



