18 SOURCES OF THE BOGGY.—TOPOFKI CREEK.—BEAVERSVILLE. 
ment at Beaversville. At his suggestion, instead of following the train we kept the dividing 
ridge between the Canadian and the headwaters of river Boggy, in order to avoid bad cañons 
said to exist on that stream, and the hill at Delaware mount. Winding from spur to spur of 
this ridge, it appeared that with considerable labor of excavation and embankment, a route for 
a railroad, with light grade, might follow the ridge. Beyond, we reached an undulating 
prairie, which extends, with a generally level surface, to Delaware settlement. Night approach- 
ing, we sought camp. Turning south, we passed to the bluff edge of the high prairie, and 
enjoyed a fine view of the wide basin where several branches of the Boggy take their rise. 
Through the trees we had had frequent glimpses of the valley during the day, and saw no 
reason why it could not be crossed. Now it appeared like an extensive plain, watered and fer- 
tilized by streams fringed with trees, and stretching southeast to the blue horizon. Descend- 
ing from the hills, we entered the trail, and followed it about three miles, to camp. The train 
had travelled twenty miles across the bottom lands, then ascended the Delaware ridge, about 
fifty feet high, to the prairie referred to. The survey had been quite satisfactory, and the 
route highly favorable for a railway. 
From Shawneetown we have traversed the lower carboniferous formation. Delaware mount 
is composed of limestone, affording a beautiful building material and quick-lime. 
August 16—Camp 20.—Travelled to-day about twelve miles, passing over a moderately hilly 
country, and crossing various small streams, tributaries of Topofki creek. The main stream 
itself bears evidence of being at times a large river. It is now but a thread, winding through 
a gravelly bed thirty feet in width. Most of the branches showed water only in pools. Passed 
in sight of the third Shawnee village. Many well-mounted Indians have been in camp, bring- 
ing the produce of their fields for trade. A sick soldier was sent to Fort Arbuckle, guided by 
an Indian. During this day's march the lower carboniferous group gave place to the new red 
sandstone or Trias. 
August 17—Camp 21.—Soon after leaving cantly we emerged from the woodlands and entered 
a magnificent prairie that seemed to extend north to the Canadian. For several miles the 
course was west, over an almost level plain. Beyond, the country swelled into gentle hills, 
with wooded ravines, one of which we followed to the site of old Camp Arbuckle. The troops 
have been removed to Fort Arbuckle, on the river Washita, thirty miles distant in a south- 
westerly direction, and have left their log houses in possession of about a hundred Delaware 
Indians, with Black Beaver for their chief. We halted upon a creek beside the village, four- 
teen miles from our last camp. On account of the dryness of the season, this stream, which 
usually flows north to the Canadian, now contains water only in pools. At the edge of a forest 
a mile distant, Black Beaver says there is plenty of good water. 
