284 A GEM. 



Along the wartercourses and intermingled with the rude array, of hills 

 and rocks, were many beautiful valleys, frairillons, and plateaux, all clothed 

 with rank vegetation ; and, indeed, the soil of the entire section appeared 

 tolerably fertile. 



The prevailing rock of this region is feldsphatic granite, gneiss, mica- 

 ceous sandstone, and slate. These different classifications (here strown 

 about in confused piles, and there again towering in massive walls of im- 

 mense altitude) presented an impressively grand appearance, and united 

 to render the scenery one of varied sublimity and magnificence. 



Sept. SOth. In the afternoon I raised camp and proceeded for ten or 

 twelve miles, through a broad opening between two mountain ridges, 

 bearing a northwesterly direction, to a large valley skirting a tributary of 

 Thompson's creek, where, finding an abundance of deer, I passed the in- 

 terval till my return to the Fort. 



Upon all the principal streams were large quantities of cherries and 

 plums, which proved quite acceptable. The cherry (cerasus xirginiana) indi- 

 genous to this country is quite similar in appearance to our common wild 

 cherry, though it is generally larger and more pleasantly tasted. It grows 

 upon a small bush, and yields in lavish profusion. 



Three different varieties of plums are common to these parts, but are so 

 similar in most respects to the wild species of that fruit found in our South- 

 ern and Western States, that I shall not take the trouble to describe them. 



The locality of my encampment presented numerous and varied attrac- 

 tions. It seemed, indeed, like a concentration of beautiful lateral valleys, 

 intersected by meandering watercourses, ridged by lofty ledges of precip- 

 itous rock, and hemmed in upon the west by vast piles of mountains 

 climbing beyond the clouds, and upon the north, south, and east, by sharp 

 lines of hills that skirted the prairie ; while occasional openings, like gate- 

 ways, pointed to the far-spreading domains of silence and loneliness. 



Easterly a wall of red sandstone and slate extended for miles north- 

 ward and southward, whose counterscarp spread to view a broad and gen- 

 tle declivity, decked with pines and luxuriant herbage, at the foot of which 

 a lake of several miles in circumference occupies the centre of a basin- 

 like valley, bounded in every direction by verdant hills, that smile upon 

 the bright gem embosomed among them. 



This valley is five or six miles in diameter, and possesses a soil well 

 adapted to cultivation. It also affords every variety of game, while the 

 lake is completely crowded with geese, brants, ducks, and gulls, to an ex- 

 tent seldom witnessed. What a charming retreat for some one of the 

 world-hating literati ! He might here hold daily converse with himself, Na- 

 ture, and his God, far removed from the annoyance of man. 



Four miles further north the traveller is brought to one of the main 

 branches of Thompson's creek, up which is another pass to the waters of 

 Grand river. 



This stream traces its way through a fertile valley, two or three miles 

 broad, stretching from the prairie almost to the base of Long's Peak, — a dis- 

 tance of nearly thirty miles. The valley is well timbered and admirably 

 adapted to stock-raising. 



The hills and mountains, enclosing it upon each side are also studded 



