64 BEAVER GREEK. 



The Witchita mountains have been in sight to the left all day, and 

 our present position is very nearly opposite the western extremity of 

 the chain. The variation of the magnetic needle at this point is 10° 

 45' 30" east. 



July 11. — Striking our tents at an early hour this morning, we con- 

 tinued down the valley of the creek for ten miles, when we turned to the 

 north, and followed for several miles a ridge dividing this from another 

 stream, upon which we are encamped. 



The face of the country over which we are now journeying is totally 

 without interest, being arid, sterile, and flat, and presenting no object 

 upon which the eye can rest with pleasure. 



The stream at this place is thirty yards wide, two feet deep, with a 

 swift current, and the water brackish. Since we left the head of the 

 Ke-che-a-qui-ho-no, we have found but three places upon the route 

 where the water has been entirely free from salts, and at these places, 

 with one exception, it has been insipid, stagnant, and muddy ; yet our 

 animals drink it and appear fond of it. As yet, we have lost none of our 

 stock by death or straying. Our oxen, although they have performed 

 more labor than the mules, are in much better condition ; indeed, they 

 have been constantly improving, while the others have become somewhat 

 poor and jaded. This goes to confirm me in an opinion I had previously 

 formed as to the comparative powers of endurance of the two different 

 kinds of cattle for long journeys upon the plains. I have now no hesi- 

 tation in expressing a decided opinion in favor of the oxen. 



July 12. — As we anticipated a long march, reveille was sounded at 

 1 o'clock this morning, and we were en route at 2. Taking a course 

 north of east towards a mountain which we recognised as being upon 

 Beaver creek, we reached the confluence of this stream with Red river 

 at 9 o'clock, and crossing a short distance above the junction, encamped 

 in a bend of the creek, where, to the supreme satisfaction of every one 

 in the command, we once more found good running water, and after 

 being for so long a time deprived of it we enjoyed it exceedingly. 



When drinking the bad water upon the plains it has often occurred to 

 me that we do not sufficiently appreciate the luxury of good water in 

 those more favored parts of our country, where it everywhere abounds 

 in the greatest profusion. The suffering produced by the absence of 

 good water in a journey on the plains during the heat of the summer 

 months is known only to those who have experienced it. As we have 

 now passed the gypsum range of country, we do not anticipate any 

 more difficulty in finding good water. 



We shall remain at this place to-morrow, and on the day following 



