CHAPTER V. 



Sufferings of the party from stormy weather and want of pro- 

 visions — Indications of an approach towards settlements — 

 Inscribed rocks — Cervus Macrotis — Volcanic origin of 

 Amygdaloid. 



The valley in which we halted is narrow, artd bounded on 

 both sides by cliffs of greenstone, having manifestly a ten- 

 dency to columnar or polyedral structure. It falls readily in- 

 to large prismatic masses, but obstinately resists that further 

 disintegration, which must take place before it can be re- 

 moved by the water. For this reason the valley is much 

 obstructed by the fallen masses retaining their angular form, 

 and little intermixed with soil. 



The stream which exists in this valley, for a part of the 

 year at least, but which was now dry, runs towards the south- 

 cast. Having arrived at that part of the country which has 

 by common consent, been represented to contain the sources 

 of the Red river of Louisiana, we were induced by the ge- 

 neral inclination of the surface, and the direction of this creek 

 to consider it as one of those sources, and accordingly re- 

 solved to descend along its course, hoping it would soon 

 conduct us to a country abounding in game, and presenting 

 fewer obstacles to our progress, than that in which we now 

 were. Our sufferings from the want of provisions, and from 

 the late storm, together with the enfeebled condition of our 

 horses, had discouraged us from prolonging, farther than was 

 necessary, our journey towards the southwest. 



The country between the sources of Purgatory creek, and the 

 stream on which we were encamped, is a wide and elevated 



