ESDIJCH.1 ITINEEART. 39 



numbers. Their characteristic " cuttings " were fresh, and from the num- 

 ber of small trees that had been cut down, we judged that a large number 

 of beavers must have been at work. To one who has never seen the amoun t 

 of work that can be accomi^lished by these industrious animals, their 

 efficiency must seem almost incredible. Trees more than a foot in tliiclc- 

 ness are ieUed by them, are qut into lengths, and utilized for the purposes 

 for which they intend them. Willows and quaking asp often appear as 

 if they had been mowetl down, so evenly are they cut. The material 

 obtained from these two the beaver stows away as provisions for the 

 winter. Frequently, pieces that they have cut into lengths to suit them- 

 selves can be seen floating down stream, until they either become 

 water-logged and sink, or are caught by a dam. The constraction rmd 

 form of these dams is such as to resist most effectually the ciu-rents 

 which may threaten to destroy them, and they are thoroughly well 

 adapted to the character of the banks between which they extend. 



During the continuation of our march we passed the abandoned mines 

 which have been mentioned in previous pages. So far as we could deter- 

 mine, but little work had been done on them, and our observ'^ations con- 

 firmed the reports with regard thereto. It is stated that rich ore was 

 found at first, but upon further prosecution of the mining operations, it 

 was soon demonstrated that this had been contained in a small "i)ocket" 

 only, and that a continuation of the enterprise would not be remunera- 

 tive. In the course of the afternoon we reached the old stamp-mill, and 

 encamped on Sandy Creek, a short distance above it. Our baggage and 

 specimens were separated from such articles as we desired to cany with 

 us on the following day, and packed up. We had a long ride before us, 

 considering that our mules had been in constant use for three and a half 

 months, and were glad that we could give them good gxass and water 

 for several hours before night-fall. Letters were written, to be mailed at 

 Eawlings, and two of the party, for the last time during the season of 

 1877, rolled themselves in their blankets under the protection of a brightly- 

 starlit sky. 



On September 17 we rode from Sandy Creek Pass to Eawhngs Springs, 

 where we arrived during the afternoon. Y/e followed the same route 

 that we had taken on AugTist 29 and 30. Passing one of the small lakes 

 near the sand dimes, we came upon a band of elk, and made our last shot^ 

 of the season. Lloyd had accompanied us to return to camp with the 

 mail. During the day the pack-train moved westward, along the west- 

 ern base of the Seminole Hills, and camped on Muddy Creek. LeaAing 

 with the night train, I proceeded to Evanston, Wyo. On the 18th Lloyd 

 returned to camp, and the party slowly completed its march to Eawhngs 

 and from there to Fort Steele. Having finished the summer's work, its 

 members started for Cheyenne September 23, and left the day after for 

 the East. 



At Evanston I had occasion to examine the coal-mines of that place 

 and vicinity. Coal is extensively mined there, and as its quality is good, 

 this industry is in a comparatively floui'ishing condition. On the 2Gth 

 Wilson reached Evanston, and on the day following we made the last 

 station of the primary triangTilation together on Medicine Butte. Hav- 

 ing completed my work, on the 29th I left for Cheyenne, and October 

 1 started eastward. 



We had, during the summer, finished the survey of nearly the entiret 

 district that had been assigned to us, 11,300 square miles, and had alt 

 escaped without any apparent injury. Our arrangements as to the re- 

 ception of i)rovisions and mail had been successfid, and we were enabled 

 to keep our mules in good travelling condition, due, in a great measure^ 



