78 Expedition to the 



rocks of the newest floetz trap formation existed in some 

 portion of the secondary region, along the eastern declivity 

 of the Rocky Mountains, but, until this time,- we had met 

 with no positive confirmation of the opinion. We were glad 

 to be at length relieved from the tiresome sameness of the 

 sand formation, and promised ourselves, in the treasures of 

 a new and more fertile variety of soil, the acquisition of 

 many important plants. 



At five P. M. we met with a little stagnant water, near 

 which we encamped, having travelled about ten miles nearly 

 due south from the point where we had left the valley of the 

 creek. The hunters went out on foot, in pursuit of bisons, 

 several herds being in sight, but returned at dark, having ef- 

 fected no more than to break the shoulder of a young bull, 

 who ran off pursued by a gang of wolves. Several of the 

 party, being informed of the route the animal had taken, and 

 instigated, in common with the wolves, by the powerful in- 

 citement of hunger, resolved to join the chase, and to dispute 

 with their canine competitors the possession of the prey. 

 When they had nearly overtaken the bison, they saw him 

 several times thrown to the ground by the wolves, and after- 

 wards regaining his feet. They soon came near enough to 

 do execution with their pistols, and frightened away the 

 wolves, only to make a speedier end of the harassed ani- 

 mal. It was now past nine o'clock, but the starlight was suf- 

 ficient to enable them to dress the meat, with which they 

 returned loaded to camp, and spent the greater part of the 

 night in regaling on the choice pieces. 



28th. From an elevated point, about eight miles south of 

 our encampment, the high peak at the head of the Arkansa 

 was still visible. From a computation of our courses and 

 distances, we found we could not be less than one hundred 

 and thirty miles distant from its base, but the air, at that 

 time, was remarkably clear, and our elevation above the 

 common level of the plain very considerable. By referring 



