Rocky Mountains. 67 



a rapid current, whose velocity, probably, varies from four to 

 six miles per hour. It may.be forded at many places, in a 

 moderate stage of water. The average breadth of the river is 

 from sixty to seventy-five yards. At many places, however, 

 it is much enlarged, including numerous islands. It pursues 

 a remarkably serpentine course within its valley, forming a 

 succession of points on both sides of the river, which, to- 

 gether with the islands, are usually covered with cotton- 

 wood. The bed of the river is gravelly, or composed of wa- 

 ter-worn stones, which diminish in size, as you recede from 

 the mountains. The water is turbid, but in a less remarkable 

 degree, than that of the Platte. The bed of the river, has, 

 in many instances, changed its place, and the old channel is 

 sometimes occupied by stagnant water, and sometimes by a 

 small stream, which is rendered transparent by passing 

 through the sand and gravel, forming the recently raised 

 bank of the river. 



On the 24th, the movements of the party were resumed; 

 Major Long with the division destined for Red river, crossed 

 the Arkansa, at five A. M. On arriving at the opposite 

 bank, three cheers were given, which our late companions 

 returned, from the other side. We lost sight of them as they 

 were leaving the camp, to descend the Arkansa. 



Major Long's division of the party consisting of ten men, 

 took with them six horses and eight mules, most of them in 

 good condition for travelling. A few had sore backs, but one 

 horse only was unfit for service. 



Our course, which was a little to the east of south, was 

 nearly at right angles to the direction of the Arkansa. It 

 was our intention to cross to, and ascend the First Fork, 

 a considerable stream entering the Arkansa, eighteen 

 miles below our last encampment. After leaving the river, 

 we found the surface to rise gradually, till at the distance of 

 six or eight miles, it is broken by a few small gravelly 

 ridges; these are of little elevation, and their summits over- 



