170 A LOVELY VALLEY. 



The soda water is fully as good as any manufactured for especial use, 

 and sparkles and foams with equal effervescence. This spring, though at 

 present cool, is said to have been formerly quite the reverse. Some twen- 

 ty years since, the heat was sufficient to cook flesh in an half hour's time, 

 if submerged in its waters. 



The Arapahos regard this phenomenon with awe, and venerate it as the 

 manifestation of the immediate presence of the Great Spirit. They call it 

 the Medicine Fountain, and seldom neglect to bestow their gifts upon it 

 whenever an opportunity is presented. 



These offerings generally consist of robes, blankets, arrows, bows, 

 knives, beads, moccasins, &c., which they either throvv? into the water or 

 hang upon the surrounding trees. Sometimes a whole village will visit 

 the place for the purpose of paying their united regard to this sacred 

 fountain. 



The secenery of tlie vicinity is truly magnificent. A valley several 

 yards in width heads at the springs, overlooking which from the west in 

 almost perpendicular ascent tower the lofty summits of Pike's Peak, piercing 

 the clouds and revelling in eternal snov/, at an altitude of 12,500 feet 

 above the level of the sea. 



This valley opens eastward, and is walled in upon the right and left, at 

 the mountains' base, by a stretch of high table land, surmounted by oaks 

 and stately pines, with now and then an interval displaying a luxuriant 

 coating of grass. The soil is a reddish loam, and very rich. The trees 

 which skirt the creek as it traces its way from the fountain are generally 

 free from under-brush, and show almost as much regularity of position as 

 if planted by the hand of art. A lusty growth of vegetation is sustained 

 among them to their very trunks, which is garnished by wild flowers, that, 

 during the summer months, invest the whole scene with an enchantment 

 peculiar to itself. 



The climate too is far milder in this than in adjoining regions, even of 

 a more southern latitude. 'Tis here " summer first unfolds her robss, and 

 here the longest tarries." The grass, continuing green the entire winter, 

 here first feels the genial touch of spring. Snow seldom remains upon the 

 ground to exceed a single day, even in the severest weather, while the 

 neighboring hills and prairies present their white mantlings for weeks in 

 succession. 



As the creek emerges from the mountains, it increases in size by the ac- 

 cession of several tributaries, and the valley also expands to a width of 



covered a piece of wood ; and, though probably not a fair test, it will afford ilie 



reader some idea of its mineral properties : 



Carbonate of Hme ....-- 92, 25 



Carbonate of magnesia - - - - - 1,21 



Sulphate of lime ) 



Chloride of calcium > - - - - - 23 



Chloride of magnesia ; 



Silica 1, 50 



Vegetable matter ...... 20 



Moisture and loss - - - - - - 4, 61 



100, 00 



