CHAPTER II. 



Excursion to the summit of the Peak — Mineral Spring's— 

 Coquimbo Owl — Encampment on the Arkansa. 



At an early hour on the morning of the 13th, Lieutenant 

 Swift, accompanied by the guide, was despatched from camp, 

 to measure a base near the Peak, and to make there a part of 

 the observations requisite for calculating its elevation. Dr. 

 James being furnished with four men, two to be left at the 

 foot of the mountain to take care of the horses, and two to 

 accompany him in the proposed ascent to the summit of the 

 Peak, set off at the same time. 



This detachment left the camp before sunrise, and taking 

 the most direct route across the plains, arrived at eleven 

 o'clock, at the base of the mountain. Here Lieutenant Swift 

 found a place suited to his purpose, where also was a con- 

 venient spot for those who were to ascend the mountain, to 

 leave their horses in a narrow valley, dividing transversely 

 several sandstone ridges, and extending westward to the base 

 of the Peak. 



After establishing their horse camp, the dfitachment mov- 

 ed up the valley on foot, arriving about noon at the Boiling 

 spring, where they dined on a saddle of venison, and some 

 bison ribs, they had brought ready cooked from camp. 



The Boiling spring is a large and beautiful fountain of wa- 

 ter, cool and transparent, and highly aerated with carbonic 

 acid. It rises on the brink of a small stream, which here de- 

 scends from the mountain, at the point where the bed of this 

 stream divides the ridge of sandstone, which rests against 

 the base of the first granitic range. 



The water of the spring deposits a copious concretion of 



