56 THE BARREN PLAINS IN THE FAR WEST. 



ing effect to the brilliancy of the flames, and making the 

 scene look truly terrific. So fiercely did the flames rage, 

 that at one time it was feared the fire would cross the river 

 to the side on which the fort is situated, in which case it and 

 all within must have been destroyed. The inmates also had 

 had many apprehensions for the safety of one of their party, 

 from whom, with his Indians, Mr. Kane had parted some time 

 before, and who had not yet arrived. For three clays they 

 were uncertain of his fate, when at length their anxiety was 

 relieved by his appearance. He had noticed the fire at a 

 long distance, and had immediately started for the nearest 

 bend in the river. This, by great exertion, he had reached 

 in time to escape the flames, and had succeeded in crossing. 



THE BARREN PLAINS IN THE FAR WEST. 



On the prairies of the east the eye ranges over a wide 

 expanse of waving grass, everywhere like the sea. As, cross- 

 ing the plains, we proceed west towards the vast range of 

 the Rocky Mountains, the country gives evidence of the 

 violent and irregular disturbances to which it has been sub- 

 jected. Wild rocky ridges crop out from the sterile plains of 

 sand ; and for hundreds of miles around the country is desert, 

 dry, and barren. Even the vegetation, such as it is, is of 

 the same unattractive character. The gi^ound here and there 

 is covered with patches of the gTay gTamma grass, growing 

 in little cork-screw curls ; and there is a small furzy plant, 

 the under sides of the leaves of which are covered w^ith a 

 white down, while occasionally small orange-coloured flowers 

 are seen struggling into existence. 



There are insects, however. Ants swarm in all directions, 

 building cones a foot in height. Grasshoppers in myriads, 



