LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 7l 



four of the most sober, started in company, intending 

 to wait on " Blue," a stream which runs into the Caw 

 or Kanzas River, until the " balance" of the band came 

 up. Mounting their mules, and leading the loose 

 animals, they struck at once into the park-like prairie, 

 and were speedily out of sight of civilisation. 



It was the latter end of May, towards the close of the 

 season of heavy rains, which in early spring render the 

 climate of this country almost intolerable, at the same 

 time that they fertilise and thaw the soil, so long bound 

 up by the winter's frosts. The grass was everywhere 

 luxuriantly green, and gaudy flowers dotted the sur- 

 face of the prairie. This term, however, should hardly 

 be applied to the beautiful undulating scenery of this 

 park-like country. Unlike the flat monotony of the 

 Grand Plains, here well-wooded uplands, clothed with 

 forest trees of every species, and picturesque dells, 

 through which run clear bubbling streams belted with 

 gay-blossomed shrubs, everywhere present themselves; 

 whilst on the level meadow-land, topes of trees with 

 spreading foliage afford a shelter to the game and 

 cattle, and well-timbered knolls rise at intervals from 

 the plain. 



Many clear streams dashing over their pebbly beds 

 intersect the country, from which, in the noon-day's 

 heat, the red-deer jump, shaking their wet sides, as the 

 noise of approaching man disturbs them ; and booming 

 grouse rise from the tall luxuriant herbage at every 

 step. Where the deep escarpments of the river-banks 

 exhibit the section of the earth, a rich alluvial soil of 



