13 [26 J 
which in riding they plunge so adroitly into the buffalo’s flanks, that they 
seldom miss their aim. ‘They are never hostile towards whit’ men, and 
seem to be afraid of the Indians. In their manners, dress, weapons, and 
faces, they resemble the Indians so much, that they may bie easily mis- 
taken for them. The company which we e met with consist of about 1007 
men and some women, and they felt rather disappointed’ when we told 
them how far they had to travel to find the buffalo. We left our — 
camp again towards evening, determined not to stop any more before w 
should reach water. Late in the night we pp t Sand mre y 
iniles;) sie were fortunate enough to “find here m 
tolera 
Sites 12 —Early in the morning we were honored in our 
of five hic (Shayenes,) who reported that 500 lodges of th 
camped near the Cimarron, to trade with the Camanches, and t8 
be happy BE see us thisevening. The priser Ne fs endo iee had 
ed’’ that we would regale them with a good breakfast; their dream was 
granted, and they left us contented. We started very late this morning, and 
reached about noon the dower springs of Cimarron, (eight miles,) a small 
green valley, spread out like an oasis in the desert. The wateris fresh and 
running, and rushes grow on the banks. We had not been a long time 
in our camp, when a whole crowd of Shayenes—warriors, squaws, and 
apooses—made their appearance. The warriors satdown to a smoke and 
talk, were fed, and received some presents; the squaws, some of whom 
were quite handsome, sold ropes, moccasins, &c., to our men, and we _ 
parted all in friendship. In the evening we marched eight miles more, and 
encamped near the Cimarron, on which we shall ascend for several days. 
The Cimarron is here a mere dry bed of sand; but — digging some feet 
deep, the hole "mp soon be filled with water. 
June 13.—Went 18 miles in the morning over a dry plain before we 
halted = aaa Geant: from whose d bed 4y e drew again some water. 
In the evening we reached the middle springs of Cimarron, (8 miles,) 
with wlerable water. For the first time I saw some rocks again, a sandy 
limestone, above a pure sandstone, 
June 14.—Next morning we marched ~ three miles and =a near a 
water-hole made in the Cimarron. ‘The soil has now become entirely 
sandy; different species of artemisia, these: ere: with bitter on and 
‘terebinthine flavor, cover the whole plain; eee frogs, lizards, and rattle- 
snakes find a comfortable abode in the wart sand; thousands of grass- 
hoppers occupy all shrubs and plants, nosdtites and buffalo gnats the 
air;—what a great place for settlements this would be! We travelled in 
the evening about 10 miles, and camped without water, but with tolerable 
grass, consi sideri ring that we were on the Cimarron. 
June 15.—Went up the Cimarron for about six miles, and halted wo noon. 
For the first time we saw here running water in the creek, but 
brackish taste. ‘The plains through which we travel are often nee with 
alcaline salts, in a state of efflorescense. The soil is less sandy, and the 
grass decidedly better; flowers, which I had not seen oe we left the Ar- ” 
Kansas, reappeared. In the afternoon we passed Willow creek, and en- 
camped on the crossing of Cimarron, (eight miles.) Ont the eel to-day 
“we saw the skulls and bones of about 100: mules, —— Mr. Speyer had 
lost here several years ago, when he travelled over these plains late in the 
“falland a snowstorm overtook him in the night. Thepaeaenbale-uokee 
