INDIAN SIGNS. 63 



water exceedingly bitter and wholly unfit for use. After travelling 

 down this creek for four miles, we encamped at a small pond, containing 

 a liquid which we were obliged to make use of, but it had more the 

 appearance of the drainings from a stable-yard tban water. 



We find more timber upon the borders of this stream than we have 

 seen since leaving Sweet-water creek ; it consists of china, hackberry, 

 cotton-wood, and mulberry. The grass is luxuriant, and the vegetation 

 of the valley has a smiling and verdant aspect, that marks the fertility 

 of the soil. 



Four deer have been killed to-day — two of which I was so fortunate 

 as to add to my list : one was also caught by the greyhounds. They 

 have afforded us much and rare sport by frequent chases, of which the 

 smooth prairie has afforded us a good view. 



It is a most beautiful spectacle to mark the slender and graceful 

 figures of the hounds as they strain every muscle to its utmost tension 

 in their eager and rapid pursuit of the panic-stricken deer. It is a 

 contest between two of the fleetest and most graceful and beautiful 

 quadrupeds in existence : the one has his life at stake, and the other is 

 animated by all that eager enthusiasm which is characteristic of a. 

 thorough-breed animal. They both put forth all the energies with 

 which the Author of their being has endowed them, and seem to fly 

 over the wavy undulations of the plains. Now they are upon the summit 

 of one of these swells, and the startled animal has disappeared in an 

 adjoining ravine, and for a moment the hounds are at fault ; but soon 

 they espy him panting up the opposite acclivity, when they are off 

 again like the wind, in hot pursuit, and, rapidly closing upon their de- 

 voted victim, they are soon engaged in the death-struggle. This sport 

 is most intensely exciting, and he who would not become interested in 

 it would hardly be entitled to claim consanguinity with the great family 

 of Nimrod. 



The result of our observations for latitude at this position is 34° 8' 11". 



July 10. — As the country over which we had to pass this morning 

 was intersected by numerous abrupt ravines, we were unable to leave 

 camp until daylight. 



Our course led us over a high ridge, in an easterly direction for 

 several miles, when we arrived upon the banks of a deep and rapid 

 affluent of the main river, along which we travelled for two miles, en- 

 camping near a spring of cold, but brackish water. 



We have seen Indian-tracks to-day, made about three days since, and 

 are much astonished that they have not paid us a visit, as some of the 

 different parties we have passed must have seen our trail. 



