PRICKLY PEAR. 183 
passed the Double Mountain Fork, cating immediately, 
upon a very fertile region, alternately with mesquite flats and 
limestone ridges, 
The chief and his wives, left us, in true wild Indian style 
“sans ceremonie.” They had been riding in advance of the 
train, and suddenly wheeling to the right disappeared over a 
ridge, without turning to say good bye, or give any other signal 
of their intention. 
The day was intensely hot, thermometer one hundred and 
six degrees, and we made a very long march, being anxious 
to get. to the Clear Fork, for fear the Camanches if there, 
might get tired waiting, leave, and thus defeat our plans for 
them. 
In crossing a limestone ridge, an extensive prairie, spread 
out before us, covered as far as we could see, with a very 
rank growth of sunflower, a sure indication of a rich soil. 
Crossing this with difficulty, for it was so thick and tall that 
we had to force our horses through it, we came suddenly 
upon the road from Belknap to Chadbourne, and marching in 
a northerly direction encamped about seven miles from the 
Clear Fork, near two pools of tolerable water. 
On this prairie were some gigantic growths of the prickly 
pear. Some we passed were fifteen feet high and forty in 
circumference, of the broad palmated species. 
In New Mexico, this plant is used as a most nutritious and 
_ excellent food for stock. It is cut with a hooked knife (made 
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