MEETING AGAIN. 157 



Here we entered a stretch of territory not as yet brought before the read- 

 er's notice. 



Passing on, a ride of between fifty and sixty miles brought us to a large 

 grove of willows at the mouth of a sand-creek, where we remained the day 

 following. 



The vicinity contained the relics of three or four Indian forts, con- 

 structed of logs, — one or two of which were in an almost entire state of 

 preservation, and afforded a correct illustration of Indian military genius. 

 Their forms were oval, and the roofage so complete, we were amply 

 sheltered in one of them from a heavy shower which fell during our stay. 



From this point (properly denominated Fort Grove) to the forks, the 

 country is rather sterile and rolling, with the exception of the river bottoms, 

 which, as usual, are possessed of a rich soil and vary in width from one to 

 five miles. There is scarcely a tree, worth naming, upon either bank of 

 the river for the whole extent. 



The expanse lying to the northward is quite broken and hilly, with some 

 few pines and cedars at the heads of ravines. 



Previous to leaving Fort Grove I experienced an attack of the fever and 

 ague, which recurred, at intervals of once in two days, until we reached 

 Fort Lancaster. 



Resuming our journey, a ride of some ten miles brought us to the mouth 

 of Pole creek, a large affluent of the right shore. This is a clear and 

 handsome stream, running through a rich valley of considerable width. Its 

 entire course afibrds but very little timber, and the prairie upon either side 

 is generally sandy and barren. 



Journeying on about seventy-five miles farther, we came to a large stream 

 called la Fuuchett aux Castors, or Beaver Fork. 



This creek heads in the highlands between the Platte and Arkansas, and 

 traces its course through a sandy country, varied by diminutive hills of 

 clayey soil, for a distance of nearly two hundred miles. It presents many 

 beautiful bottoms of a rich vegetable mould, with here and there small clus- 

 ters of timber. 



Some forty or fifty miles above Beaver creek, we crossed Bijou, another 

 large affluent of the left shore. The water at the mouth of this stream was 

 shallow, dispersing itself in several small channels, over a bed of gravel and 

 quicksand, about four hundred yards wide, and enclosed by abrupt banks 

 of clay and sand. 



For several miles above its junction with the Platte no timber appears ; 

 but further on, many large groves relieve the eye, and invite the traveller to 

 their shade, while broad meadows and rich bottoms, clothed with grass and 

 flowers, cheer the beholder and delight his fancy. 



Aug. dOth. A ride of ten or fifteen miles, from this point, brought us to a 

 camp of whites, in the employ of Bent and St. Vrain, occupying a small 

 island in the Platte. They were guarding a quantity of robes with which 

 they had attempted to descend the river, but were unable to proceed further 

 on account of low water. 



I was much gratified at here meeting an old acquaintance, with whom I 

 had passed a portion of the previous winter upon White river 



