The Permian of Texas 219 



been, however, as my tent had at last arrived from 

 Kansas; and although only an A-tent, it kept out 

 the storms of sleet and snow that fell for three days. 

 During all that time the cattle remained without 

 food in the dense woods. Such times as this, when 

 we were confined to the close quarters of our tent 

 and could accomplish nothing but keeping ourselves 

 warm, are in my opinion the most uncomfortable 

 which the fossil hunter is called upon to endure. 



On the ninth of March, the sun rose bright and 

 clear upon a scene of surprising beauty. Every 

 tree, bush, and blade of grass on the red beds was 

 covered with a milky white ice, whose silvery luster 

 was set with innumerable sparkling gems. It was 

 glorious at sunrise, but as the morning advanced, the 

 snow and ice began to melt, leaving patches of red 

 and white over the Bad Lands, and by noon had en- 

 tirely disappeared. The hills rapidly dried, as the 

 thick red water sought the drainage canals, and we 

 were soon at work once more. 



As a precaution against the very difficulty which 

 I had encountered, I mean the impossibility of 

 keeping a man and team with me, I had obtained 

 from the Secretary of War, through the efforts of 

 Professor Alexander Agassiz, a letter of introduc- 

 tion to the commanders of western posts, requesting 

 them to assist me by every means in their power not 

 inconsistent with the public service. With this let- 



