CHUGWATER. 133 



strongly bilious, it might cause vomiting; — but, on the second or third trial, 

 the stomach attains a taste for it, and receives it with no inconsiderable 

 relish. 



Upon the whole system its effects are beneficial. As a stimulent, it 

 braces the nerves without producing a corresponding relaxation on the ces- 

 sation of its influence ; it also tends to restore an impared appetite and in- 

 vigorate the digestive powers. 



As a sanative, it tends to make sound an irritated and ulcerated stomach, 

 reclaiming it Lo a healthful and lively tone, and thus striking an effective 

 blow at that most prolific source of so large a majority of the diseases 

 common to civilzed fife. 



From what I have seen of its results, I consider it one of the most inno- 

 cent and useful medicines in cases of dyspepsy, and will hazard the further 

 opinion, that, were those laboring under the wasting influences of this dis- 

 ease to drink gall-hitlers and confine themselves exclusively to the use of 

 some one kind of diet, (animal food always preferable,) thousands who are 

 now pining away by piecemeal, would be restored to perfect soundness, and 

 snatched from the vei'y threshold of a certain ^m ye which yawns to receive 

 them ! 



Resuming our course, we continued down Sibillis creek to its junction 

 witli the Laramie ; then, following the course of that river, in the afternoon 

 of the third day we arrived at Fort Platte, after an absence of nearly two 

 months, — having travelled, in the interval, a distance of more than five 

 hundred miles. 



To give a general description of the country passed over during the 

 concluding part of our journey, would seem too much like a recapitulation 

 of previous remarks. 



Our observations in reference to the river and creek bottoms, may be 

 again correctly applied ; as may, also, those relative to the timber, and the 

 geological character of the adjoining prairies. 



Several miles above the Fort we crossed the Chugwater, a large aflfluent 

 of the Laramie, from the right. This creek takes its rise in a wild and 

 desolate section of the Black Hills, near the head of Horse creek. 



Thirty miles or more of its way is traced through a dreary wilder- 

 v<ess of rock, sand, and clay, almost entirely devoid of vegetation. 



This region, it is said, affords gold ; and, indeed, I have received fre- 

 quent assurances that that valuable metal has been procured, in small par- 

 ticles, from among the sand of the creek-bed. 



This region also claims many natural curiosities, of Vv^hich I may take 

 occasion to speak more particularly hereafter ; — one, however, situated 

 upon Chugwater, here seems more appropriately to demand a passing 

 notice. 



It consists of a columnar elevation of sandstone and marl, towering 

 aloft to the height of several hundred feet, like the lone chimney of some 

 razed mansion, — standing as the melancholy monument of the ruins that 

 surround it. 



This singular pile of rock and earth is nearly of a quadrangular form, 

 quite regular in its structure, and compares very nearly with the " Chim- 



