28 EEPOET UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 



ing this we emerged from the region of hiiis into a typical " bluff coun- 

 try." With the appearance of bluffs, spruce, pine, and quaking asp 

 ceased, and their places were supplied by pifion, cedar, and sage-brush. 

 Biding northward on the trail, we took a look at the surrounding coun- 

 try. Before us lay an unbroken stretch of low, narrow bluffs, the near- 

 est ones resembling " hog-backs," but the more distant ones showing 

 horizontal stratification. South and east of us was the curving edge of 

 a high plateau formed by the strata of the Sweetwater Group. Its 

 sharply cut edges were clearly defined, and isolated points of considera- 

 ble elevation rendered it more prominent still. Without any transition, 

 the plateau was abruptly set off against the low country immediately 

 adjoining it. Its steep slope was deeply furrowed by erosion, and groves 

 of trees filled the narrow ravines. We were well satisfied to see this, as 

 it promised us a sufficient supply of water and grass. 



The trail on which we were riding kept along the creek very regu- 

 larly, and after sundown we reached camp, which was made near it. 

 Crossing the Beaver on the next day we rode in a southeasterly direc- 

 tion across the bluffs and ascended the steep face of the plateau. On 

 our way we started a number of deer and antelopes from their cover and 

 found a very fine spring. From the edge of the plateau, about 2,000 feet 

 above the low country adjoining, we obtained a good view. To the north 

 of us lay the Battlesnake Mountains, and, farther on, the Bighorns. 

 Southward the plateau sloped toward the Sweetwater in gently inclining 

 terraces. Beyond the river we saw the Sweetwater Hills, which shut 

 out all view of the lower country. East of us the sharp points of granitic 

 hills north of the Sweetwater projected above the level of the plateau. 

 A number of stations were made on the edge of the plateau, and in a 

 heavy rain-shower we rode toward the Sweetwater, where our camp was 

 located. Very good grass and water refreshed our animals after their 

 several long rides. 



August 14 we reached the Sweetwater and camped about 18 miles be- 

 low Saint Mary's station. At this point all timber has disappeared from 

 the river and nothing but sage-brush and willows remain. During the 

 day we were obliged to ride in a broiling sun and at night the thermom- 

 eter fell nearly to the freezing point. Here John, our cook, began to show 

 symptoms of " mountain fever." Although he had been accustomed to 

 this sort of life for more than ten years, this was his first attack of the 

 distressing malady. On the next day camp remained stationary while 

 we rode northward to make our first station on the granitic hills. After 

 a ride of about 8 miles we reached the first one. Having completed our 

 work there we separated, one party going to the edge of the plateau and 

 the other to a high, round hill to the northwest. This latter was found 

 to be composed of Carboniferous limestones. On its summit were seen a 

 number of Indian " lookouts." Sometimes these are carefully built : a 

 circular wall or one of horseshoe shape is erected, about 2 feet high, and 

 behind this the sentinel lies concealed. Others are simply excavations, 

 long and sufficiently deep to allow a man to remain hidden. In this in- 

 stance, as in many others, the protection from observation consisted 

 simply in piling up a number of bowlders, which, even in the case of an 

 attack, would afford some shelter. Numerous chips of flint, chalcedony, 

 and jasper, besides some broken arrow-heads, showed that the Indian 

 stationed at this point had utilized his time by manufacturing his offensive 

 weapons of chase and warfare. 



August 16 we broke camp and continued our march down the river. 

 About 5 miles below carnp we found that the river flowed through a very 

 pretty little canon. A rent had been formed in some red, quartzitic sand- 



