123 HUNTING CAMP. 



strength, and lightly taps it upon the log. But this is a painful operation,— 

 lie relinquishes it, and resumes his former grotesque movements. 



Watching this curious performance, the trapper could scarcely retain 

 his gravity, or master his fondness for the ludicrous sufficiently for the in- 

 tended shot. He did, however, and the comedy was suddenly transformed 

 to a tragedy, by leaving its actor struggling in death. 



A light fall of snow during the last of our stay at Deer creek, rendered 

 the ground quite muddy and soft ; notwithstanding which we resumed our 

 course early in the morning of the fourth day. 



Continuing on, a ride of thirty miles brought us to the place where the 

 Oregon trail crosses the Platte ; and, after fording the river, we encamped 

 upon the opposite side. 



The stream, at this point, is about three hundred yards from bank to 

 bank, and, at the time of our crossing it, swimming deep for a small por- 

 tion of the way. 



In ordinary stages, the water is but little over three feet deep, and the 

 ford perfectly safe and practicable. The partial melting of the mountain 

 snows had increased the size and velocity of its current, and rendered our 

 passage slightly dangerous and difficult. The bed appeared to be rocky, 

 and in some places rough, — requiring much caution in crossing waggons, 

 to prevent them from overturning. 



On the third day following, we arrived at another remarkable canon, after 

 travelling a distance of thirty-tive or forty miles. Here, finding large 

 numbers of mountain sheep, we were induced to remain a short time. 



Our course for most of this distance was confined to the valley of the 

 Platte, on account of the greater supply of wood found upon its banks. 



Towards noon of the hrst day, we passed a point, called the " Red 

 Buttes," at which the river cuts its way through a lofty ridge of hills. 

 This passage left a considerable bank upon both sides, shut in by abrupt 

 walls of red argillaceous sandstone, towering to the height of several 

 hundred feet. 



The soil was generally a mixture of clay and sand, and, in some places, 

 afforded a reddish loam which appeared to be very rich. 



A short ride from the " Red Buttes " took us across a beautiful stream, 

 with a broad bottom, well timbered with cottonvvood. 



Large herds of buffalo were continually in sight upon the whole route. 



Several miles previous to reaching the canon, my notice was first attracted 

 to the extraordinary size attained by the wild sage ; it having merged its shrub- 

 like appearance into that of trees varying from five to ten feet in height and 

 from twenty to twenty-five inches in circumference at the root. 



'J^'iie magnificent dimensions of this herb are retained for a large extent 

 of territory to the south and west of this vicinity. It is frequently made 

 use of for fire-wood, and the prairies, in many places, are covered with 

 beautiful groves of it, — perfuming the atmosphere and revelling in peren- 

 nial verdure. 



The canon before referred to, is caused by the river passing through a 

 chain of hills, for a reach of nearly half a mile. 



