ALONG THE PLATTE TO FORT LARAMIE. 63 



three hundred yards long and two hundred in lieight. It is 

 composed of marl and earthy limestone, and is worn into its 

 peculiar shape by the action of the elements on its soft constitu- 

 ents. Standing alone above the broad plain, its outlines 

 rendered singularly regular by distance, it has an extremely 

 majestic appearance, having much the look of an ancient feudal 

 castle, and the sight of it formed a pleasing variation to the 

 monotony of our journey. Although the land between it and the 

 road is apparently a dead level, it is very uneven, being full of 

 deep gulches which have been washed into its marly soil by 

 the rains of winter. A Mormon told me that while passing this 

 rock one of his party was filled with curiosity to examine it 

 closely, and under the impression that it was but a short dis- 

 tance from the road, he mounted his horse and rode towards it, 

 thinking to regain his comrades in a short time. The plain 

 seemed so level, and the Court House so near that he imagined 

 he was going on a nice little journey of pleasure, but he soon 

 found himself mistaken. Deep ravines were continually ob- 

 structing his path, and worse than all, the object he was seek- 

 ing seemed like the ignusfatuus to fly flefore him. But he was 

 a plucky individual, and resolved to attain his object. Perse- 

 verance will accomplish anything, and he at last reached this 

 majestic landmark. Having gratified his curiosity, he went 

 on his way, and late in the night came up with his comrades, 

 well wearied and hungered, if not satisfied with his side excur- 

 sion. 



Throughout the 21st the road was bad, sometimes laying 

 across the sandy bluffs which intersected our route, at others, 

 over marshy flats which extended between them. Owing to 

 the severe labor they underwent, the cattle had begun to fail 

 fast, for they were en route from early in the morning till late 

 in the evening, over bad roads and under a hot sun. One of 

 our men narrowly escaped being shot in the afternoon. A 

 comrade with a loaded rifle in his hand was walking along by 



