lit NIGHT TisrroRa. 



I allude to the above incident for this reason, that it is generally suppoa ti 

 the bear produces but two at a birth. 



Continuing our journey till late at night, we reached an affluent of For^ 

 taim qui Bouit, called Daugherty's creek, after travelling a distance of 

 ■ome thirty miles. Here we remained for three or four days, to procure a 

 further supply of provisions. 



The route from Blackfoot-carap, for the most part, led over a rough 

 country, interspersed with high piny ridges and beautiful valleys, sustain- 

 ing a luxuriant growth of vegetation, which is known as the Divide. 



This romantic region gives rise to several large tributaries both of the 

 Platte and Arkansas, and furnishes the main branches of the Kansas. Its 

 geological classifications consist of sandstone, hmestone, granite, and cre- 

 taceous rock. Large quantities of silex are also found, together with 

 many interesting specimens of petrifaction that principally consist of pine 

 wooa ; these, in many cases, exnibit the tree in its perfect shape, with all 

 the grains and pores that marked its giowth. 



A ride of three hours took us past the heads of Bijou and Kuyawa, 

 whose clear and swift currents, confined to narrow beds, here presented a 

 ■triking contrast to those remarked at their confluence wdth the Platte. 



Continuing on a few miles, we reached Black Squirrel creek, an affluent 

 of the Arkansas ; and from thence, after a brisk trot for some fourteen 

 miles over a nearly level prairie, we came to our present camp. 



Our place of stay was in sweet little valley enclosed by piny ridges. 

 The entrance leading to it is through a defile of hills from whose rugged 

 aides protrude vast piles of rock, that aflTord a pass of only fifty or a hun- 

 dred yards in width. An abundance of grass greets the eye, arrayed in 

 the loveliness of summer's verdancy, and blooming wild-flowers nod to the 

 breeze as enchantingly as when the fostering hand of spring first awoke 

 them to life and to beauty. 



The creek derives its name from Dauglierty, a trader who was murder- 

 ed upon it several years since. At the time he was on his way to tlie Ar- 

 kansas witli a quantity of goods, accompaiiied by a Mexican. The latter, 

 anxious to procure a few yards of calico that constituted a part of the 

 freight, shot him in cold blood, and hastened to Taos with his ill-gotten 

 gains, where he unblushingly boasted of his inhuman achievement. 



My excursions among the hills brought before me many interesting 

 geological specimens, mostly such as characterize the Divide. I noticed 

 two or three extensive beds of stone coal in the vicinity of the creek, with 

 .an abundance of nitre and other muieral salts. 



Having killed three fine cows during the five days we remained at thii 

 place, the scent of fresh meat attracted an old bear and her cub, which, in 

 the expectation of a choice repast, were induced to pay us a night visit. 



We were quietly reposing at the time, nor dreamed of the ungainly 

 monsters within camp, till their harsh growls grated upon our ears and 

 raised us each to a speedy coasciousness. Instantly every rifle was 

 clenched and levelled at the unwelcome intruders, and two discharges 

 bespoke their warm reception. The bears, not fancying this new test 

 ef friendship, quickly withdrew and permitted us to resume our sliunbera. 



Fit^trick and Vaa Dusen, two old mountaineers, ptissed ear ea> 



