INDEPENDENCE DAY. 81 
CHAPTER VI. 
LOWER CROSS TIMBERS TO UPPER CROSS TIMBERS. 
Fal Bim Bark nf Teint T3 q a bt onlat at Tat . 
= J 4 a 
R 2 ue Tick -weteodt at tet s77 n + 42 em 
Funny G ille.—Last in T Parlance of the settlers.— 
“Camp on the _ ale Bach march.—Manner of tracking horses by the 
Tn di jans, rt. iw. t 
Upp eS eee 
Juty 4th.—Independence day found us on the march just 
as day dawned, and soon leaving the timber, we entered upon 
a broken country, conisting of ridges of sand and limestone, 
interspersed with small prairies and small strips of timber, 
principally black jack, until we emerged upon and crossed 
Elm Fork of the Trinity, where, on account of the intense 
heat, Captain Marcy determined to halt and encamp, there- 
after, intending to march by moonlight, until we reached the 
Grand Prairie. , : 
This stream runs over a bed of reddish limestone, very full 
of fossils, ‘principally the oyster and the periwinkle, and 
winding through an extensive prairie, offered a very pretty 
camp, whereat to spend our national holiday. 
Soon the tents were pitched, and a ration of grog issued 
to the men, whilst our mess indulged in a bumper of claret, 
and some excellent. cake, presented us by the old -cook 
at Washita. This, with ty sia Spangled Banner, Hail 
