DESCRIPTIONS. 53 
CHAPTER IV. 
STAY AT FORT WASHITA. 
Description of the Post.—Pleasant stay among our friends.—Fossiliferous Re- 
mains. Srisigs papas ie bed of the ocean.—Prairie Flowers. Bigeneecs bine 
th + 
the country. 
Remarks we, the Natives—Territorial Bill—Captain leaves on 22d with 
part of the 
June 15th to 29th.—This post, established about twelve 
years since, was garrisoned by one company of the seventh 
infantry, commanded by Major Holmes, and one company 
of the fourth artillery, commanded by Major Hunt; Major 
Holmes commanding the post. Plain, but comfortable 
quarters, stand upon the brow of a hill, commanding a fine 
view of the plain. For ten miles, this rich, green velvet 
carpet is spread out, spangled with flowers of every hue, 
and interspersed with groves of timber. A little babbling 
brook meanders through the green sward at the foot of the 
hill, the whole forming a scene of picturesque beauty, com- 
pensating in some measure for the isolation from society 
and the daily peril concomitant to a frontier life. 
We enjoyed the hospitalities of our friend, S. Humes, 
whose heart is as open as the prairie around him, and our 
time passed pleasantly and quickly, roaming through the 
prairie and exploring the seconded ‘remains in the 
