CAMP AT CHERRY CREEK. 235 



polled to envelope them with thick coverings of buffalo robes, and even then 

 the rapacious cormorants could scarcely be prevented Ironi renewing their 

 cruel repast. 



Dec. 19lh. Again resuming our journey, we continued in a southeast 

 direction, over a low ridge of hills, and found ourselves in a very rough 

 country, interspersed with frequent valleys which head several well tim- 

 bered affluents of the Arkansas ; — thence, passing around the southern 

 extremity of a lofty mountain range, we struck FonLaine qui Bouit a few 

 miles below the Soda spring. 



Crossing this stream, we travelled north by west, following the moun- 

 tain ridge at its base for some forty miles, which brought us to the Platte ; 

 — thence, keeping the river bottom, on the 28th we made camp at Cherry 

 creek, a short distance above its mouth. 



The intcrestinof and romantic country in the vicinity of Pike's Peak and 

 Fontaine qui Bouit has already been described in full, and needs but one 

 passing remark in attestation of the mildness of its climate, viz : the 

 ground was free from snow, and afforded occasional spots of green grass. 



Near this place we encountered a small hunting party of Arapaho In- 

 dians, and obtained from them a choice supply of fresh meat. 



The interval from the Soda spring to the Platte, after passing the high, 

 towering and isolated walls of red granitic sandstone to the northward, be- 

 trays a mixed character of wildness and beauty. The vast forests of stately 

 pines, surmounting the long rolling hills to the right, which are relieved 

 as the traveller advances by high table lands and quadrangular-shaped 

 eminences that disclose their bare sides, ever and anon graced with lateral 

 cedars and dwarf oaks ; and then the heaven-scaling summits that, in con- 

 tinuous chain, oppose an impregnable wall upon the left, unite to define a 

 broad-spread of undulating prairie, some eight or ten miles wide, well wa- 

 tered and possessed of a good soil. 



The prevailing rock of this section appeared to be sandstone and lime- 

 stone, intermixed with conglomerates of various kinds. 



I noticed two or three small ridges, several miles long, running parallel 

 with the mountains at regular distances, in an uninterrupted course, pre- 

 senting continued lines of thin strata planted vertically in their sharp 

 crests, and reaching to an elevation of thirty or forty feet, that, with broken 

 fragments encumbering their sides, looked like the half-fallen walls of some 

 ancient fortification. 



Among several affluents of the Platte from the right, we crossed Crys- 

 tal creek, a stream which derives its name from the existence af crystal in 

 its sandy bed. This creek is tolerably well timbered and possesses a rich 

 bottom of variable width, producing at the proper season a luxuriant growtli 

 of vegetation. 



Our horses being quite enfeebled from the fatigue of travel, we gladly 

 availed ourselves of the presence of buffiilo to prolong our stay at Cherry 

 creek some ten days, and meanwhile found no difficulty in procuring a con- 

 tinued feast of good things from the dense herds that thronged the country 

 upon every side. 



