218 NIGHT VISITORS. 



I allude to the above incident for this reason, that it is generally supposed 

 the bear produces but two at a birth. 



Continuing our journey till late at night, we reached an affluent of Fo7h- 

 taine qui Buuit, called Daugherty's creek, after travelling a distance of 

 some thirty miles. Here we remained for three or four days, to procure a 

 further supply of provisions. 



The route from Blackfoot-camp, for the most part, led over a rough 

 country, interspersed with high piny ridges and beautiful valleys, sustain- 

 ing a luxuriant growth of vegetation, which is known as the Divide. 



This romantic region gives rise to several large tributaries both of the 

 Platte and Arkansas, and furnishes the main branches of the Kansas. Its 

 geological classitications consist of sandstone, limestone, granite, and cre- 

 taceous rock. Large quantities of silex are also found, together with 

 many interesting specimens of petrifaction that principally consist of pine 

 wood ; these, in many cases, exhibit the tree in its perfect shape, with all 

 the grains and pores tliat marked its growth. 



A ride of three hours took us past the heads of Bijou and Kuyawa, 

 whose clear and swift currents, confined to narrow beds, here presented a 

 striking contrast to those remarked at their confluence with the Platte. 



Continuing on a few miles, we reached Black Squjrrel creek, an affluent 

 of the Arkansas ; and from thence, after a brisk trot for some fourteen 

 miles over a nearly level prairie, w^e came to our present camp. 



Our place of stay was in sweet little valley enclosed by piny ridges. 

 The entrance leading to it is through a defile of hills from whose rugged 

 sides protrude vast piles of rock, that afford a pass of only fifty or a hun- 

 dred yards in width. An abundance of grass greets the eye, arrayed in 

 the loveliness of summer's verdancy, and blooming wild-flowers nod to the 

 breeze as enchantingly as when the fostering hand of spring first awoke 

 tliem to life and to beauty. 



The creek derives its name from Daugherty, a trader who was murder- 

 ed upon it several years since. At the time he was on his way to the Ar- 

 kansas with a quantity of goods, accompanied by a Mexican. The latter, 

 anxious to procure a few yards of calico that constituted a part of the 

 freight, shot him in cold blood, and hastened to Taos with his ill-gotten 

 gains, where he unblushingly boasted of his inhuman achievement. 



My excursions among the hills brought before me many interesting 

 geological specimens, mostly such as characterize the Divide. I noticed 

 two or three extensive beds of stone coal in the vicinity of the creek, with 

 an abundance of nitre and other mineral salts. 



Having killed three fine cows during the five days we remained at this 

 place, the scent of fresh meat attracted an old bear and her cub, which, in 

 the expectation of a choice repast, were induced to pay us a night visit. 



We were quietly reposing at the time, nor dreamed of the ungainly 

 monsters within camp, till their harsh growls grated upon our ears and 

 raised us each to a speedy consciousness. Instantly every rifle was 

 clenched and levelled at the uiiwelcome intruders, and two discharges 

 bespoke their warm reception. The bears, not fancying this new test 

 of friendship, quickly withdrew and permitted us to resume our slumbers. 



Fitzpatrick and Van Dusen, two old mountaineers, passed our ei>' 



