Rocky Mountains. 233 



appeared to have been occupied by a tribe of Indians, during 

 the late winter, induced us to pitch the tents, and prepare 

 for the night. Lieutenant Swift, whose dexterity as a 

 marksman had previously relieved us in times of need, now 

 succeeded in killing a turkev for our evening meal. 



30th. We pursued the path about ten miles further, with 

 the hope of its soon terminating at some Indian village; but 

 as it continued to diverge too widely from our apparent true 

 course, we once again relinquished it, and turned towards 

 the river, which we expected to regain in the course of a few 

 miles, by tracing down the opposite bank of a large ravine, 

 which now presented itself. 



At our resting place of noon the banded rattlesnake, (C. 

 horridus^') occurred; and five young turkeys were procured 

 by the hunters. 



Resuming our journey, it soon became obvious that the 

 ravine we were tracing did not discharge into the Arkansa, 

 but into some large tributary to that river, and which from 

 an elevated ground we could distinctly see meandering to a 

 great distance on the left. Another Indian path was now 

 discovered, which, by its direction seemed to comply with 

 our proper course. It led us to recross the ravine with its 

 most luxuriant growth of trees, bushes, and weeds. On 

 emerging from this intricate maze, we observed a large 

 Column of smoke arising in the southeast, as if from the 

 conflagration of some entire prairie. This occurrence, com- 

 bined with the eff"ccts of a large burning' in the vicinity of 

 our evening encampment, that seemed very recent, and the 

 appearance of the well-worn pathways, inspired us with a 

 renewed expectation of soon meeting with human beings, 

 and of arriving at some permanent Indian village. 



The highest temperature of the day was ninety-five de- 

 grees. Our distance this afternoon was ten miles. 



3 1st. We arose early, and on looking at the horses that 

 were staked around the camp, three of the best were missmg. 

 VOL. II. 30 



