30 MODE OF ENCAMPING. 



June 10. — Our course, to-day has been almost due west, up the north 

 bank of Sweet-water creek. The country upon each side of the valley 

 is high and gently undulating, and the geological formation has changed 

 from deep-red sandstone to carboniferous limestone. ... 



The weather for the last four days has been very cold, as will be seen 

 from the meteorological tables appended ; indeed, I think I have never 

 in this latitude known the thermometer to range as low at this season. 

 Upon the plains where I have heretofore travelled during the summer 

 months, a strong breeze has generally sprung up about 8 o'clock in the 

 morning and lasted until after night, reaching its maximum intensity 

 about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. This breeze comes from the south, 

 and generally rises and subsides with as much regularity as the sea- 

 breeze upon the Atlantic coast, which fact has given rise to the opinion 

 that it comes from the Gulf of Mexico. These cool and bracing winds 

 temper the atmosphere, heated to intensity by the almost vertical rays 

 of the sun, rendering it comfortable and even pleasant in midsummer. 

 Observations were made this evening for the determination of latitude, 

 and the result showed, 35° 26' 13". 



June 11. — We crossed Sweet-water creek at 3 o'clock this morning, 

 and, keeping back upon the high prairie bordering the valley, travelled 

 eight miles in nearly a west course, when we crossed two fresh Indian 

 trails, which, from the circumstance of there being no trace of lodge- 

 poles, our guide pronounced to have been made by war parties ; and he 

 states that he has during the day seen four Indians upon a hill in the 

 distance taking a look at us, but that they turned immediately on seeing 

 him and galloped off. The fact of their not being disposed to commu- 

 nicate with us looks suspicious, and they may have hostile intentions 

 towards us ; but with our customary precautions, I think we shall be 

 ready to receive them, either as friends or enemies. 



Our usual method of encamping is, where we can find the curve of a 

 •(jreek, (which has generally been the case,) to place ourselves in the con- 

 cavity, with the wagons and tents extending around in a semi- circle, 

 uniting at each extremity of the curve of the creek, so as to enclose a 

 sufficient space for the command ; thus we are protected on one side 

 by the creek, and upon the other by the line of wagons and tents. Im- 

 mediately after reaching our camping-ground, all the animals are turned 

 out to graze, under charge of the teamsters, who are armed, and remain 

 constantly with them, keeping them as near the command as the supply 

 of grass will permit. We generally commence the day's march about 

 3 o'clock in the morning, and are ready to encamp by 11 o'clock; this 

 gives ample time for the animals to graze before night, when they are 



