PATRIOTISM ON THE PRAlRIESjj- 89 



agents ; and their principal purpose is to pro- 

 cure and send back a supply of provisions, to 

 secure good store-houses, and what is no less 

 important, to obtain an agreeable understand- 

 ing with the officers of 'the custom-house. 



The second day after the departure of the 

 runners, as we lay encamped at McNees's 

 creek, the Fourth of July dawned upon us. 

 Scarce had gray twihght brushed his dusky 

 brow, when our patriotic camp gave hvely 

 demonstrations of that joy which plays around 

 the heart of every American on the anniver- 

 sary of this triumphant day. The roar of our 

 artillery and rifle platoons resounded from 

 every hill, wliile the rumbling of the drum 

 and the shrill whistle of the fife, imparted a 

 degree of martial interest to the scene which 

 was well calculated to stir the souls of men. 

 There was no limit to the huzzas and enthu- 

 siastic ejaculations of our people; and at 

 ev^ery new shout the dales around sent forth a 

 gladsome response. This anniversary is al- 

 ways hailed ^viih. heart-felt joy by the way- 

 farer in the remote desert ; for here the strifes 

 and intrigues of party-spirit are unknown : 

 nothing intrudes, in these wild soHtudes, to 

 niar that harmony of feeling, and almost 

 pious exultation, wliich every true-hearted 

 American experiences on this great day. 



The next day's-march brought us in front 

 of the Rabbit-Ear Mound, which might now 

 be seen at a distance of eight or ten miles south 

 of us, and which before the present track was 

 established, served as a guide to travellers. 



8 



