288 VORACITY OF MAaPIES. 



reached Bayou SalSide, another extensive valley at the head of the Sooth 

 Fork of the Platte. Here, selecting a good camping place in a beautiful 

 grove of aspen, we remained till the 19th inst. 



This last stage of our journey proved difficult and tedious. Although the 

 passing throngs of buffalo had afforded a well-marked trail, our horses fre- 

 quently became so mired in snow we were compelled to extricate them by 

 main strength, — two or three storms, in the mean time, having increased the 

 quantity to an average depth of twelve or fourteen inches. 



The valleys and sunny liill-sides, however, were generally bare, and af- 

 forded some agreeable respites to the toil of travelling. 



The pievailing rock appeared to be granite, mica slate, and sandstone. 

 The soil of the valleys gave evidence of fertility, as did occasional spots 

 upon the hill-sides. 



The streams were most of them skirted with cottonwood, aspen, and box- 

 elder, while the hills and mountains presented frequent groves of pine ajid 

 cedar. 



Grame, in all the diffTerent varieties common to the country, was seen in 

 great abundance the entire route. 



Bayou Salide is a valley some thirty-five miles long by fifteen wide, 

 boimded upon all sides by lofty mountain chains, witli Bie exception of the 

 south, where a broad stretch of high, rugged hills and rolling prairies sepa- 

 rates it from the Arkansas. 



The Platte, on emerging from tlxis place, makes its final entrance into the 

 grand prairio by a narrow gorge in the mountain chain that extends to a 

 distance of several miles. Upon the southeast, tiie frowning summits of 

 Pike's Peak tower to a height of 12,500 feet above the level of the Gulf of 

 Mexico, and upon the west tlie coHtinuous chain of the Green Mountains, 

 clothed in eternal snow, point skyward in solemn grandeur. 



The numerous streams that hud their sources in the neighborhood are 

 well timbered, and present many interesting bottoms of rich alluvial soiL 



The valley is densely thronged with buffalo, while vast quantities of 

 deer, elk, and antelope unite to increase the number and variety of its 

 game. 



Tiie weather at this time proved uncomfortably cold. Snow lying upon 

 the ground to the depth of several inches, we were necessitated to feed our 

 horses upon cottonv/ood bark during the interim. 



Bayou Sala.de bears the name of being subject to severe winters, but 

 whetlier correctly or not, I am unable to say. It is undoubtedly well 

 adapted to stock-raising, and, were it not for unseasonable frosts, might be 

 turned to good account for agricultund purpose!. 



The mag})ies were more troublesome and audacious in their depredations 

 hereabouts, than in any place we had yet visited. Twc mules, whose 

 backs had become sore from continued service under the saddle, were se- 

 rerely annoyed by these relentless pesccutors, which, despite opposing 

 effort, would pierce the skinless flesh with their beaks and feast upon their 

 igonizing victims. 



To save the poor sufferers from being devoured alive, we were con;^ 



