24 BURNING PRAIRIE.—NORTHER.——DEER CREEK. 
to learn our strength, and the probability of being able to stampede our mules. We treated 
the man kindly, gave him something to eat and some presents. He understood a few Comanche 
words ; and, with the aid of expressive signs, Vincente conversed with him easily. We obtained, 
therefore, a portion of the Huéco vocabulary, and then would have let him go, but he preferred 
to accompany us. 
After travelling about five miles, our progress was suddenly arrested by a burning prairie. 
The grass was tall, thick, and dry. The wind had driven the widespread flames over the crest 
of a hill, directly towards us ; and they now came leaping into the air, roaring in the distance, 
and crackling fearfully as they approached. There seemed to be no safety except in flight. 
The train, therefore, countermarched in double quick time, and took refuge behind a watery 
ravine, where the grass was too green to burn freely. "Taking advantage of a comparatively 
bare spot, the flames were fought, and a temporary opening made, through which the train 
passed to the black-burned prairie, which we traversed in safety. Mile after mile we trod 
nothing but cinders. The Cross Timbers occasionally disappeared. The country became nearly 
level, and to the edge of the horizon presented a woodless, waterless, desolate field of black 
ashes. Here and there were solitary clumps of withered grass nourishing burning embers. It 
was a dreary prospect for the hungry mules, and we began to fear lest the Indians had adopted 
this means of accomplishing our destruction. At last some ravines appeared which had inter- 
rupted the flames, and protected fine fields of grass. By the edge of one containing large pools 
or springs of water we encamped, having travelled sixteen miles. A shower occurred during 
the afternoon. The evening was stormy and cold, rendering a fire indispensable for comfort. 
A single dead alamo, the only tree within sight, with a few low shrubs, furnished a scanty pit- 
tance of wood; and as the clouds and wind destroyed all hopes of obtaining astronomical obser- 
vations, we early sought warmth under the covering of our blankets. 
August 27—Camp 27.—Last night we were aroused by a confusion of sound A fierce 
““norther”” was upon us, with wind, rain, and sleet. The whole camp seemed in an uproar; 
some “shouting, some laughing, and others making the ground quake with blows of mallets, 
driving their tent-pins. After much ado, and a thorough drenching in the sleet, a few of our 
tents were preserved standing. Many were less fortunate, and morning disclosed a ludicrous 
assemblage of miserable half-frozen wretches, quietly shivering under prostrate canvass. There 
were puddles of water within and over their beds, and all were glad to avail themselves of the 
first light of day to stretch their benumbed limbs. The poor mules, gaunt with hunger and 
shrivelled with cold, were huddled together with their faces turned from the blast; but having 
been driven into the ravine, where they were partially sheltered from the storm, they grazed 
while we breakfasted. Then, seeing no escape from freezing but by exercise, we harnessed up 
and faced the tempest. -Our Huéco guest, poor fellow, suffered terribly, even with the additional 
blankets that we loaned him; so, without compliments, at the dawn of day he took up his bed 
and d parted. We did not see him again. 
mmencing our. march, the long line of Cross Timbers soon varied the landscape. Gypsum 
Be upon the surfac 
creek, which bears the clear sweet waters of numerous tributaries to the Canadian. These 
rivulets are well-wooded, and irrigate wide valleys; which, for grazing or agricultural purposes, 
can scarcely be excelled. The soil is a rich loam, which makes the banks of the streams miry 
and difficult to cross. Having travelled, istefore, about fourteen miles, we encamped in a 
pleasant nook, bordering Deer creek. pea the hill behind is an Indian village, not long 
since deserted. Below is a break in the thick border of timber that lines the creek; and here, 
deep-furrowed trails show a regular buf sing. The river is rapid, clear, two and a half 
feet in depth, and six feet wide. Upon ei 3 nd, stately oaks cast deep shadows on tangled 
shrubs and flowers, - the mules grazing ir the meadows are Dech concealed by the luxuriant 
i mencin 
grass 
The norther was dos at midday. “At sunset the wind ceased, but clouds arose; so that 
Pere me 
of the prairie. Not far beyond, we entered the lovely valley of Deer . 
Kee 
E oe 
