Expedition, ^c. 59 



ed us, is called by the Spaniards Wharf creek, probably 

 from the circumstance of its washing perpendicular preci- 

 pices of moderate height, which is said to be the case. 

 It is the stream designated in Pike's map as the Second 

 fork. A party of hunters in the employ of Mr. Choteau, 

 who were taken prisoners by the Spaniards in the month of 

 May, 1817, were conducted up this creek to the mountains, 

 thence across the mountains, to Santa Fe. 



Near the place where we halted to dine, a large herd of 

 elk were seen, but unfortunately they took the wind of us, 

 and disappeared, giving us no opportunity to fire upon them. 

 Along the river bluffs-, we saw numerous conic mounds, 

 resembling those of artificial formation, so frequently met 

 with near the Ohio and Mississippi, but differing from them 

 by their surface, from the apex to the base, being terminated 

 by a strait or concave, instead of a convex curve, which is 

 usual in those of artificial origin. The natural mounds of 

 which we speak, appear usually to contain a nucleus of sand- 

 stone, which is sometimes laid bare on the summit or on the 

 sides, and sometimes entirely concealed by the accumulated 

 debris resting upon it. This stone often contains petrified re- 

 mains of marine animals. 



At the end of this day's ride of twenty-six miles, we 

 found the river valley more than a mile in width, and the 

 distant bluffs which bound it, low, and of gradual ascent. 

 The boulders, pebbles, and gravel, so abundant near the base 

 of the mountain, had been growing gradually less prevalent, 

 and diminishing in size till they had now almost entirely 

 disappeared, their place being supplied l)y a fine sand in- 

 termixed with clay, which here composed the surface. The 

 soil is extremely barren, the islands, and the immediate mar- 

 gin of the river, bearing an inconsiderable growth of cotton- 

 wood and willows, the great mass of the country being al- 

 most destitute of vegetation of any kind. 



Hunters were sent out, immediately on encamping, and 



