MTJD PLAINS — SHOSHONEE INDIANS. 99 



were gushing out from a rocky point, (of dark limestone and coarse 

 argillaceous sandstone, with a dip of about 20° to the east,) and 

 unite to form a branch which runs southward some miles, and then 

 sinks in the sand, before reaching the lake. The water was, how- 

 ever, warm, brackish, and entirely unfit for drinking. Following 

 down this stream for several miles, we struck on a succession of 

 bare, level plains, composed of white clay and mud, with occasion- 

 ally pieces of limestone and obsidian scattered on the surface. 

 These dreary plains were occasionally separated from each other, 

 by patches of salt grass and scattered clumps of artemisia. They 

 had apparently formed, at some remote period, a part of the lake, 

 and it is probable were partially covered during the freshet months. 

 Some portions of the ground were still moist, and too soft to admit 

 the passage of our mules without danger of miring. Where dry, 

 the surface was hard and smooth. 



In the afternoon, as I felt apprehensive of being overtaken by 

 night without water for our animals, we turned more to the west- 

 ward, and directed our steps toward the promontory range pre- 

 viously mentioned. Before reaching it, however, we came upon 

 a small stream, fifteen feet wide and a foot deep, but it was quite 

 salt, and almost unfit to drink ; yet, as we had no prospect of find- 

 ing better, we were fain to bivouac on its bank for the night. 

 Artemisia was abundant, furnishing plenty of excellent fuel, 

 although it reminded me somewhat of the scriptural phrase, 

 "crackling of thorns under a pot," so constantly did the fire 

 require replenishing. Day's travel, twenty-two miles. 



Sunday^ October 21. — Ther. at daybreak, 27°. There being 

 neither grass nor water at this point, we left it early, and made in 

 a south-west direction for the foot of the mountain, travelling over 

 a hard, even surface of dry mud, as level as a floor and without a 

 particle of vegetation of any kind. Before reaching the base of 

 the hills, we descried some Indians at a distance, who, as soon as 

 they discovered us, commenced a most rapid and precipitate flight. 

 As they were on foot, I despatched the guide after them at full 

 gallop to bring them to a parley, being desirous of obtaining from 

 them some information, and if possible, to prevail upon some of 

 them to act as guides through the unknown regions before us. 

 The man overtook them at the foot of the mountain, when several 

 of them, finding their retreat about to be cut ofi", halted, and ad- 

 vanced upon him with their guns presented, but were restrained 

 from firing by an old Indian, who seemed to act as their chief. 



