Pboceedings of the Farmers' Club. 56 L 



lionr or bo we passed a lierd iniieli nearer; thev were alarmed, and 

 ran in an awkward manner, but still quite last. About tlie same time 

 a herd of antelopes, with much Mdiite on their bodies, were seen. 

 These may be called the deer of the plain, for they are similar to 

 common deer. For several miles they ran parallel with the train, 

 now hidden as a swell in the ground intervened, and now rising in 

 full view, and gliding with great speed and beauty. The sight was 

 similar to horses on a distant race course doing their best. About 

 noon the gentlemen of the New York party ordered tlie train to stop, 

 for as it was a special train for their service, they could do as they 

 pleased, and they went out over the plain with their guns to kill 

 buffalo, which were in sight, but their success was not worthy of 

 es])ecial note. 



Here, from an excavation, I selected a specimen of rotten lime- 

 stone, which seems to underlie- the whole country, and I obtained 

 also those moss agates, which come from a bluff' on the Smoky Hill, 

 at no great distance. They are found in great abundance in other 

 parts of the country, and are, at present, much in fashion in setting 

 for rings, breastj)ins, and other jewelry, as they take a brilliant pol- 

 ish when cut. Passing on our way we saw buffalo and antelope 

 frequently, but none very near. Not a tree or bush of any kind was- 

 to be seen in any direction, and the most noticeable objects were the- 

 telegraph poles. The soil was not quite so dark as that I have exhibi- 

 ted, and it had more gravel ; still it was rich, and was from two to 

 three feet deep. Of this I took particular notice, for we were in th& 

 center of what has long been called the Great American Desert. Our 

 course was on the divide between the Smoky Hill and Saline, neither 

 of which were in sight, but it is to be said that to the north are num- 

 erous streams, such as the Solomon and Republican, witli numerous- 

 tributaries, where timber grows and where land can be cultivated with, 

 profit ; but few white people have visited the region, and it is occu- 

 pied by hostile Indians. As the sun was going down we passed 

 a herd of buffalo, which seemed preparing to lay down for the night 

 as in a meadow, and, as they were quite near, the train went slow.. 

 Kepeating rifles were fired from the car windows, and as rapidly as 

 if a battle were in progress, and two fell. The train stopped, and 

 the hind-quarters and heads were taken aboard. Their weight was 

 about 1,400 pounds each. A large, wild animal will weigli from 

 1,600 to 1,800 pounds. 



At Sheridan, which at present is the western terminus of the Kan.- 



[Inst.] 36 



