96 NOTES TAKEN. 
They speak very broken English, and I found they 
understood me much better when I spoke to them in the 
same way, a correct and connected speech, seeming to 
confuse them. 
Last night’s march fatigued us all very much, so that we 
slept long and soundly. 
The day passed in reading, writing and dozing, with the 
thermometer at one hundred in the shade, and nightfall 
found the train “streched out” as it is called, and all ready 
for the road. 
The day’s repose put us all in order for the enjoyment of 
our ride, which was a long one, but under such a sky and in 
such a country time and space are easily annihilated. 
We.passed at midnight a singular mound upon the open 
prairie, which we ascended and had an extensive moonlight 
view. 
This mound was evidently natural, curious from the fact, 
that it was the only mass of earth and rock in sight rising | 
from the surface, and that it rose abruptly, from a narrow 
base, to a height of over one hundred feet. 
It was doubtless the remains of the ancient super strata 
of prairie, which worn by time and washing, has fallen from 
the level of the great Llano Exetacao, to its present general 
surface, 
At daylight we encamped upon a tributary of Red River.— 
July 9th. Turning night into day does well enough for 
cattle and horses, but its effect upon the human biped was 
