[ 174 ] 124 
acteristic, and flax occurred frequently in bloom. We halted at noon on 
most western fork of Laramie river—a handsome stream about sixty 
feet wide and two feet deep, with clear water and a swift current, over a 
bed composed entirely of boulders or roll stones. There was a large open 
bottom here, on which were many lodge poles lying about; and in the 
edge of the surrounding timber were three strong forts, that appeared to 
have been recently occupied. At this place J became first acquainted with 
the yampah, (anethum graveolens,) which I found our Snake woman en- 
gaged in digging in the low timbered bottom of the creek. mgong: the In- 
dians along the Rocky mountains, and more particularly among the Sho- 
shonee or Snake Indians, in whose territory it is very abundant, this is 
considered the best among the roots used for food. To us, it was an in- 
teresting plant—a little link between the savage and civilized hfe. Here, 
among the Indians, its root is a common article of food, which they take 
pleasure i in offering to strangers; while with us, in a considerable portion 
of America and Europe, the seeds are used to flavor sou p. it grows more 
abundantly, and in greater luxuriance, on one of the neighboring tributa- 
ries of the Colorado than in any other part of this region; and on. that 
stream, to which the Snakes are accustomed to resort every year to procure 
a supply of their favorite plant, they have bestowed the name of Yampah 
river. Among the trappers, it is generally known as Little Snake river; 
but in this and other instances, where it illustrated the history of the peo- 
ple inhabiting the wpa sia, I have preferred to retain on the map the abo- 
y 2 meridional observation, the latitude is 41° 45' 59". 
‘ -Foin int of the mountain, where we. had several ridges to cross ; and, al- 
* 
ugh the road was not rendered bad by the nature of the ground, it was 
made extremely rough by the stiff ea bushes of artemisia iridaniags,” 
in this country commonly called sa 
This shrub now began to make is appearance in compact fields; and 
we were about to quit for a long time this country of excellent pasturage 
and brilliant flowers. Ten or twelve buffalo bulls were on during the 
afternoon; and we were surprised by the appearance of a large red ox. 
We gathered around him as if he had been an old acquaintance, with all 
ee govneatic feelings as much awakened as if we had come in sight of an 
old farm ho He had probably made his escape. from some party of 
ants on Sane river ; and, with a vivid | r 
' some 0! 
en field, he was pursu straightest course peti as ontier that the 
country admitied. We eo him along with us as.a Abt 
Oe 
hicae) 
and, w 
it was found in the morning that he had wandered off, I would not let hip 
be pursued, for I would rather have gone through a.starving time of three 
enti! tire days, than Jet him be killed after he had. ly run the gaunt- 
Tet so far among the Indians. I have bee een told by ‘Mr. Bent’s people of 
ox born and raised 5 Fee Vrain’ sort which Roan from them 
Q eros: near the frontier, having come int With thesmmaens, 
x per 2 ‘way out,and saw occasionally Places where he bad 
im for | about 700 miles, when 
sie to the fort, goat 
