204 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



terrifically grand. Fourteen miles travel upon the 

 prairie brings the emigrants to the "Blue Creek," 

 which is fordable, except after a heavy rain. Ford- 

 ins the creek and crossing the timbered bottom of the 

 stream, another magnificent prairie is entered, which 

 is beyond the Missouri line, and within the Indian ter- 

 ritory. Sixteen miles travel over this beautiful plain 

 brings the emigrant to Indian Creek, the banks of 

 which usually serve for a place of encampment. The 

 prairie offers the best pasturage for cattle ; but con- 

 stant watching is necessary to keep them from stray- 

 ing away and returning to the settlements. From 

 Indian Creek, the emigrants proceed across the prairie, 

 along the Santa Fe trail, for about fifteen miles, and 

 then leave it, turning off to the right hand. Cross- 

 ing several deep ravines, which are very difficult of 

 passage in rainy weather, the emigrants arrive on the 

 banks of the Werkarusa Creek. This is another 

 favorite place of encampment, groves of trees being 

 on each side of it. From this creek, the route is over 

 the high-rolling prairie, upon a smooth and hard trail. 

 The want of water is the only annoyance that is ex- 

 perienced by the travellers, and a long day's journey 

 is necessary to bring them to the nearest creek — a 

 branch of the Kansas River. The banks of the creek 

 are steep, and considerable toil is requisite to cross it. 

 The crossing of the Kansas River is the next diffi- 

 culty to be met. There is a regular ferry about five 

 miles from where the emigrants cross the tributary 

 creek. At that place the river is never more than 

 two hundred yards wide, even after heavy rains. The 

 wagons are placed in boats, owned by the Indians, 

 and transported to the opposite shore for the sum of 

 one dollar per load. The oxen and horses are com- 



