OUR CAMP ON WALNUT CREEK 



the west, to the head of Ash Creek, which we 

 found here to be only a prairie hollow destitute 

 of water and timber. Before reaching Ash Creek 

 we had begun to see plenty of buffalo in every 

 direction except toward Fort Larned. 



On reaching the high prairie north of Ash Creek 

 we could see away to the north the distant line 

 of timber that marked the course of Walnut 

 Creek. A heavy body of timber was seen right 

 ahead, and in line with our course, that Tom 

 rightly conjectured was at the mouth of the little 

 creek emptying into the Walnut, where French 

 Dave had told him we would find a suitable loca- 

 tion for a winter camp. Toward this we directed 

 our course. 



It was but little past noon when we reached 

 the edge of the timber near the junction of the 

 little branch and Walnut Creek, and we found 

 here an ideal spot for our purpose — a snug camp 

 and good hunting and trapping ground. 



"We'll camp here for the night," said Tom as 

 he dismounted, **an' to-morrow we'll look the 

 neighborhood over thoroughly an' decide where 

 to pitch our permanent layout." 



As we had found no water on the road we had 

 made this drive from Pawnee Fork without our 

 usual halt for noon and decided to have our din- 

 ner and supper in one about the middle of the 

 afternoon. After turning out the stock, bringing 

 wood and water, and pitching the tent, while 



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