78 NOTES TAKEN. 
the little village of Gainesville, until we reach the Upper Cross 
Timbers, and ‘then adien to all outward signs of civilization. — 
Early in the afternoon, we stopped at the Basin Spring, a 
perfect fairy bath tub, and fatigued with the scenes of the past 
three days, overcome by the intense heat, and almost famished 
with thirst, but above all, enamored with the place, we deter- 
mined to encamp for the night. ee 
An apparently dry ravine ran at right angles to our course, 
on traversing which, we came suddenly upon a series of sedpen 
of limestone rock, arranged like stairs. : 
Qver these, the water trickled, and was caught in a basin, . 
worn by time and the action of the water, about three feet 
deep, and five in diameter, and so aes that the smallest 
article might be seen on the bottom. 
After the muddy waters of Red River, and the seal : 
pools of the prairies, what wonder that we hailed this foun- 
tain with delight, drank copious draughts, laved in its cool 
refreshing bosom, and poured out libations to the Naiad of 
the Spring. We did all this, aye, more, for we treated her to 
a serenade, the first we had felt any spirits for sifice leaving 
Fort Washita; and cooled, calmed and refreshed, an early 
hour found us wrapped in that slumber eh ca only the tired 
man can really enjoy. 
' July 3d.—Daylight found us bidding adieu to the N ymphs 
of the fountain, and entering upon the last large prairie we ; 
_¢rossed before reaching the Cross Timbers. 
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