ALONG THE PLATTE TO FORT LARAMIE. 



59 



Cheyennes, who were mounted on fine ponies, armpd with 

 rifles, sliields and lances, and painted and feathered to tlie last 

 degree of Indian dandyism. Unlike our Sioux friends, who 

 w^ere all exceedingly good-natured and friendly, they did not 

 look at us as they passed by, nor notice the " hows " and " hies " 

 that we shouted at them, and I respected them the more for it. 

 We had expected to find water on the top of the divide, but 

 after considerable search we found none, and pushing^ on we 



Fobbing the South Platte. 



at last came in sight of the bold, uneven bluffs overlooking the 

 valley of the North Platte. Following their rough outlines for 

 about a mile, we came to a steep descent, leading down to the 

 bottom of a deep valley, opening on to the river, some three 

 miles distant. This is known as " Ash Hollow " — a famous 

 landmark on the California trail. We reached the top of the 

 sandy declivity a little after dark, and double rough-locking 



