ly on this tribute, that they often follow the caravans 
for days. 
Our road along the river now became somewhat 
smoother. The ground was sandy, and covered with 
many ant hills, composed of sand and pebbles. We 
saw some elk. I found, too, a nest of young mag- 
pies, which I had not hitherto seen in the United 
States. On the 21st of June we halted at the river, 
in order to cross. The North Platte at this point is 
not as broad as the South Platte, but just as swift. A 
canoe of buffalo hides was soon constructed, and the 
very next day we crossed over without any special 
mishap. 
Journey over 
the Black 
