on 
' 
il [26 } 
of sand and quartz, united by cement of lime. On the afternoon we ar- 
rived at the usual fording place of the Arkansas, and, to our great satis- 
faction, we perceived on the other bank of the river a corral of wagons, 
belonging to some cept companies that had started before us. Riding 
over on horseback, we shook hands with our friends and joined them in a 
hearty buffalo dinner: The crossing with the wagons was deferred till 
next day. The river is here several hundred yards wide, very sandy but 
not deep, and generally easily forded. "The road, whic 
by crossing here the Arkansas, te ae south west for 
is preferred by the Santa Fe trader 3 
ze 10 e whole morning was spent in crossing the 
each of the large wagons from 8 to 10 couple * mules were ~ 
about six hours all stood safe on the other shore. ‘We reste 
evening, and provided ourselves with wood adie water, because it waS™ 
doubtful sahetbinr we should find any within 50 miles in the pons * region ro 
equally destitute of wood and water, that lay now before us. My baro- 
metrical observations, made on the river bank of the Arkansas at the cross- 
ing place, showed an elevation above the sea of 2,700 feet, the highest 
point yet got on the road. From here our ascent will be more rapid, and 
without interruption, till we reach, near Santa Fe, an elevation of 7,000 
feet. 
Towards evening we started again. Our road Jed through deep sand. 
Grass was very s canty, but there was quite an abundance of sand- 
plants; and the ground was so covered with the most variegated flowers, 
especially the gay Gaillurdia pulchella, that it looked more like an 
mense flower garden than a sandy desert. At first ascending a little, 
we travelled afterwards over a high plain, with good read, and pitched our 
night camp on ‘* Battle Ground,” (15 miles from Arkansas,) with poor 
dry grass, but a small water-pool. The name of this camp refers to the 
small band of Texans under Colonel Snively, who, in 1843, here fell in 
with the vanguard of General Armijo’s army. With their rifles and 
bowie knives “they made a dreadful havoc among them; and the few 
Mexicans who escaped frightened Armijo so with “their reports, that he, 
with ame whole army, ran back t to Santa Fe. 
e 11.—Travelled about 18 miles befote we halted, without seeing 
wea or water. Buffalo have entirely fone dod not even pais 
chips, the usual substitute for fire wood, wi The 
plain between the Arkansas and Cimarron, whieh elevation above oe sea 
is about 3,000 feet, is the most desolate part on the whole Santa Fe road, 
and the first adventurers in Santa Fe trade stood many severe trials here. 
Within the distance of 66 miles, from the Arkansas to the lower springs 
of sar tent there is see one water-course or water pool to be ha 
some cacti. Thench the sored is very distant, there is no shrub 
* tree to fix your eye upon, and no other game attracts your attention 
except once in awhile a wild antelope, which is apt to allure you to a use- 
less ey ae for one quality this desert is distinguished. your 
has been w worn out by the long ride, and by the monotonous 
of ; when your lips are parched from , and a 
friend at your side, in cruel consolation, reminds you of shi luxuries of 
£ 
