[174] 288 
broad road which follows the river, and on the Ist of J uly we arrived at 
Bent’s fort, about 70 miles below the mouth of the Fontaine-gui-bouit. 
family groups of women and children, with dog trains carrying baggage, and 
long lines of pack horses, their appearance was picturesque and imposing 
TPRa river, c e 1dg1ng 
grounds which separate that river from the waters of the Platte. On the 
7th we crossed a large stream, about forty yards wide, and one or-two feet 
deep, flowing with a lively current on a sandy bed. The discolored and 
muddy appearance of the water indicated that it proceeded from recent 
tains ; and we are inclined to consider this a branch of the Smoky Hill 
river, although, possibly, it may be the Pawnee fork of the Arkansas. Be- 
elled over high and level prairies, halting at small 
ponds and holes of water, and using for our fires the do 
country being without timber. On the evening of the 8th we encamped 
rapidly in the sandy 
e a hand- 
