38 FROM FORT KEARNY TO FORT LARAMIE. 



The formation over which we have passed the last two days has 

 been composed of beds of sand and sandy shales. No rock has 

 been met with ; and wherever a section of the soil was obtained, 

 it presented layers of sand containing small proportions of argilla- 

 ceous matter. The general profile of the hills is rounded and un- 

 dulatory. Rock, apparently in regular strata, is to be seen in the 

 opposite blufis, which are bolder and approach the river more 

 nearly than on the south side. 



Sunday, July 1.— Ther. at 9 o'clock, 81° ; Bar. 26.74. The day 

 being very warm and fine, advantage was taken of it to dry more 

 thoroughly the meat we wished to preserve. Om' breakfast this 

 morning, which was spread out on the ground, with a piece of In- 

 dia-rubber cloth for a table, under the shade of one of the wagon- 

 covers, consisted, for five persons, of two bufi'alo-tongues and the 

 hump of a fat cow, nearly the whole of which was consumed. The 

 flesh of a fat bufi'alo-cow is perhaps the best beef that can be eaten, 

 wholly free from the rank flavour which marks the fat of the male : 

 it is at once juicy, tender, nutritious, and very digestible, added to 

 which it has a game flavour which renders it far superior to the 

 very best beef of the States. It may, in fact, be not improperly 

 denominated ^'■game heef.'* 



This was the first time that any of my mess had partaken of that 

 famous dish, the " Awmp," and the quantity disposed of was the best 

 proof of the intense relish with which it was enjoyed. This and 

 the tongue, tender-loin, bass, and marrow-bones are considered the 

 choice parts of the carcass, and, where the animals are plenty, no 

 other parts are taken, the residue being left on the ground for the 

 wolves. Some idea may be formed of the great digestibility of 

 this species of food, as well as of the enormous quantities de- 

 voured at a single meal, from the fact that the regular daily allow- 

 ance or ration for one employee in the Fur Company's service is 

 eight pounds, the whole of which is often consumed. It is true, 

 however, that an old mountaineer seldom eats any thing else. If 

 he can get a cup of strong cofi*ee, with plenty of sugar, and as 

 much bufi^alo-meat as he can devour, he is perfectly happy and con- 

 tent, never feeling the want either of bread or vegetables. 



A partial examination was made to-day of the north bank of 

 the river. The rocks which had attracted attention yesterday 

 were distant about fom- hundred yards from the stream and very 

 much weathered, presenting a broken surface, owing to some of 

 the strata having disintegrated faster than others. The perpen- 



