526 Ex. Poc. No. 41; 



for leaving the sick, the numher of whom had increased to seven, 

 and for obtaining provi>ions for the rest of the journey. Owing to 

 the great facilities afforded me by Captain Enos, I was enabled to 

 conclude my preparations that evening, so that it would not be ne- 

 cessary to detain the wagon on the following day for more than 

 one or two hours. 



The thermometer has been all day seven degrees below zero* 

 and I was told that, for several days previous, the temperature of 

 the air had been of the same degree of coldness. 



January 20. — This morning was bitter cold, although there was 

 no wind. At eleven o'clock, my party arriyed. Wc at once com- 

 menced crossing the Arkansas river. To do this, we were obliged 

 to car'ry sand and spread it over the slippery ice on the route we » 

 had selected. Although the ice was generally eight inches thick, 

 yet in one place, for the breadth of six feet, "the rapid current was 

 running clearj this circumstance increased the difficulty of cross- 

 ing. 



As soon as we reached the fort, the sick were carried into a com- 

 fortable room, vv'here they were to ^remain until next spring, when 

 they might return to the United States. Our axes and tools were 

 sharpened, our wagons examined, and we took the precaution to 

 obtain an extra axletree. In two hours we were again on the 

 march, and at evening formed our camp six miles to the eastward 

 of the fort. 



My friends at Bent's Fort cautioned me with regard to the want 

 of grass on the burnt prairies between Pawnee Fork and Council 

 Grove. I therefore determined to save my corn until we should 

 reach the burnt prairies, and until then permitting the animals to 

 Tun loose. 





We had already used eight of the fourteen fanegas. which we 



Tiad obtained at " Las Vegas." ' 



January 21.— The sun was half an hour high before we left camp; 

 we had an excellent road, it was smooth and very hard, wherefore, 

 although we moved at an easy gait, we reached the "Big Timbers," 

 and encamped an hour before sunset. Not far from our camp, there 

 are the ruins of some old trading houses. Here were some im- 

 mense cotton wood irees, which were already felled; with them we 

 built roaring fires. We were now twenty seven miles from Bent's 

 Fort, and had sped our way so pleasantly, that we conceived bril- 

 liant hopes of our future progress. 



January 22.— -We soon came in sight of the Cheyenne lodges. 

 The Ind ans had all gathered here, where they might have shelter 

 from the storms of winter. Thoughout our day's journey, we saw 

 th^nr lodges lining the banks and covering i\ e islands of the river. 



The "Big Timbers" afford an end'ess supply of wood, and on the 

 plains, on the south side of the river, the grass is very good while 

 the unfailing waters of the Arkansas, in addition to the requisites 

 already mentioned, make this spot one of the most eligible for the 

 erection of a military depot, in case the government intends to 

 maintain its intercourse with New Mexico. 



We met a white trader amongst the Cheyennes, who warned u« 



