FAIRY sPRING. 169 
sparse as to be scarcely noticeable, a natural consequence 
of the barren and desolate character of that region. 
In the afternoon we changed our course north, towards 
the dividing ridge, between the Big Witchita and the Brazos, 
We crossed many fine limestone streams, and through the 
clear water, could see the bed of the streams, perfect 
pavements of large ‘slabs of limestones, smooth and jointed, 
as if done artificially. This occurring in every case made it 
remarkable and worthy of note. 
We reached the ridge and passed along the top, making a 
very long march, before we found, an hour after sunset, a most 
copious and beautiful limestone spring, which struck me so 
singularly that I have described it minutely. 
Ina gentle undulation of the prairie, on the eastern side of 
the ridge, we found this spring, rising out of the ground and 
enclosed on three sides by a rectangular wall about four feet 
high; at the narrowest part about six feet wide, and in 
length about ten feet; a small outlet emptied the overflow 
into an irregular pool, large enough to contain sufficient water 
for our thirsty animals, whilst we had the fountain for our- 
selves. : , 
It was a surprise and almost like a dream, after the hard- 
featured country we had passed through, and our bivouac 
gave ample evidence of this cheering change in our cireum- 
stances, for to crown all, a bright full moon shone over us. 
- We forgot fatigue, hunger and thirst, and a very late hour 
found us enjoying song, joke and conversation, until drowsiness 
15* ° 
