Rocky Mountains. 217 



disappeared. The river banks, as well as those of creeks, and 

 some ravines, from near the little Arkansa, are pretty well 

 wooded, with but few interruptions. In many parts the growth 

 is dense, but always, as yet, strictly limited to skirling the 

 water courses. 



During the afternoon, we crossed numerous ravines, some 

 of which, judging by the infallible indications of dried grass, 

 and floated wood lodged on high in the croches of the trees, 

 pour down, at certain seasons, large volumes of water, from 

 the prairies iato the river. 



Near our evening encampment, but on the opposite side 

 of the river, appeared the entrance of a large creek, of the 

 width of ninety or a hundred yards, and of considerable 

 depth; it seems to be well wooded, and its course is nearly 

 parallel to the river for a great distance, before it discharges 

 into it. This stream is called Red Fork; its waters are tur- 

 bid, opake, and red; great numbers of fresh water tortoises, 

 closely allied to the Testudo geographica of Le Sueur, in- 

 habited the basin formed by the entrance of this stream. 

 Immediately below its junction, the bluffs on that side are 

 washed by the stream of the river. 



The bottom land on the left bank is still confined to a nar- 

 row strip. 



The sun having been, during the chief part of the day, 

 obscured by an interrupted sheet of cirrostratus, and a brisk 

 northeast wind prevailing, rendered the day temperate 

 and agreeable. Travelled distance nineteen and a half miles. 



Having been entirely unsuccessful in hunting since the 

 13th instant, we remained in our position during the morn- 

 ing of the succeeding day, and sent out four hunters to pro- 

 cure fresh meat; but, tov/ards noon, they all returned with 

 but three turkeys, of which two were young; they saw no 

 deer, but much elk sign. 



At two o'clock, proceeded onward, upon a slightly undu- 

 lated prairie, over which the eye roves to a great distance 

 VOL. II. 28 



