CHAPTER IV. 
From Oak Creek to Rocky Dell Creek. 
Buffalo creek.—Alamo spring—Divide between the False Washita and Canadian.—Entrance to Canadian valley.—Antelope 
hills.—Grape creek.— Buffalo and other game.—Interview with Comanches.—Wolf creek.—Natural mounds.—Wine creek.— 
Vineyard.—Valley river.—Meeting with Kiowas.—Mexican traders.—Kiowa village.—Captives.—Council with the Indians.— 
Crossing of the Canadian.—Abandoned trading post.—W hite Sandy creek.—Shady creek.—Deserted Comanche encampment.— 
Red Bank creek.— Beautiful View creek.—Llano Estacado.—Encampment creek.—Rocky Dell creek 
September 3—Camp 34.—Leaving Oak creek, we crossed a prairie country, and at the end 
of six miles reached Buffalo creek. This was a ravine with large cotton-woods and oak ; but, 
somewhat to our surprise, it contained no water at the crossing. The dark green foliage of the 
trees indicated moisture not far beneath the surface. A species of grama called buffalo-grass 
being now predominant, and buffalo ‘‘signs’’ appearing on the prairie, the above name was 
suggested for the rivulet. A beautiful specimen of petrified wood was found in its bed. Nine 
miles beyond we came to Alamo spring, where the animals were watered. Thence, passing the 
divide, five or six miles led us to a spring, which, flowing towards the north, becomes tributary 
tothe Canadian. This is the end of the emigrant ‘‘cut-off,’’ and is supposed to be near Simp- 
son's Camp 40. "The trail which he followed along the Canadian here made its appearance. 
From the valley of the Washita to that of the Canadian, there are few engineering difficulties 
to surmount in the location of a railway. The elevation of the dividing ridge is 280 feet above 
the Canadian. By a deep cut, sixty feet could be taken off, and easy slopes on both sides would 
overcome the rest. The landscape has been uninviting, being a barren prairie, with unsightly 
 gullies worn from the red hills by occasional rains. Trees generally filled the ravines, and 
water was sometimes found in pools, but there was no soil fit for cultivation. 
The keen eyes of Vincente caught a glimpse to-day of a single buffalo feeding far off upon the 
hills. At once he darted off, with a pistol, in pursuit. The white pony seemed to partake of 
his master's ardor, and they were soon but a speck in the distance. The boy returned hours 
after, quite crestfallen, from an unsuccessful pursuit. 
è Foz 4—Camp 35.—We had proposed to rest to-day, but as the water, tasting like 
Epsom salts, proved disagreeable, we continued the journey. Crossing with some difficulty 
several ravines and intervening spurs leading from the crest to the river, at the end of about 
two miles we approached the Canadian. It did not appear the noble stream we had hoped to 
find, but flowed in various small channels over a bed about five hundred feet wide. The water in 
some places may have been a foot deep; and, though red with mud,* was found palatable to 
the taste. The valley, several hundred Peru in width, is covered with a mellow soil containing 
efflorescent salts, like the banks of the Rio del Norte. Frequently spots are found without 
vegetation; but i the land were cultivated, the crops would probably be as excellent as in New 
Mexico. The contrast with the luxuriant valley of the Washita is not agreeable. Some allow- 
ance should be made, however, for the unusual dryness of the season. For about six miles we | 
pursued the level surface of the valley, and then ascended the mesat which bounds it. Our 
course was shaped for the Antelope hills which appeared in the distance, but, unexpectedly 
striking a creek of sweet water, we encamped twelve miles from Epsom spring. 
September 5—Camp 35.—Qur beef-cattle being sore-footed and fatigued, it seems proper to 
* Prairie travellers clarify muddy water by dropping into the vessel containing it pieces of mucillaginous cactus. 
j An elevated table-land. 
