exdlich.] ITINERARY. 35 



produced in the process of manufacturing arrow and spear heads. Small 

 tablets of sandstone, which must have been brought from a considerable 

 distance, and pieces of buffalo or elk bone were used by tliem in their 

 work. Many points were found, but mostly broken ones. While watch- 

 ing for the game, the hunters could here make the weapons wherewith 

 to Idll it. From the size of the majority of arrow-heads it may be in- 

 ferred that they were used in shooting the various kinds of wild fowl 

 which occur at these lakes. The proximity of the ambushes to the shores 

 speaks for the same assumption. Having examined the mud-springs 

 and then siuToundings during the day on which camp remained station- 

 ary at the lake, we proceeded to resume our march toward the Sweet- 

 water Hills. 



On September 6 we started across the country, heading for the lowest 

 depression in the range of lulls before us. A long ride through sage- 

 brush, over a sterile country, brought us to this pass. I am aware of no 

 name that has been applied to it, therefore shall, provisionally, call it 

 "Elkhorn Gap." Both from the west and from the east the long 

 series of hills come to an abrupt termination. In the centre of the de- 

 pression thus produced there stands an isolated bluff, having essentially 

 the form of a truncated cone. Upon reaching the eastern base of the 

 hills, after a monotonous march of nearly 30 miles, we found a small 

 stream of water and encamped. Willow-brush and some scattering 

 trees afforded us protection from the autumn winds that were now be- 

 ginning to set in. 



September 7, camp was moved down the creek about six miles, 

 while we rode up on the hills west of the gap. Ascending along the 

 crest of a winding ridge, we finally reached the summit. This was found 

 to be covered with scattering timber, and was nearly flat. During the 

 day we had constantly met with large bands of antelope, and here en- 

 countered both deer and elk. Having been hunted recently, these latter 

 were shy and soon disappeared in the timber. From the summit we 

 had a comprehensive view. We saw that the range of hills runs ap- 

 proximately parallel with the river, and is a very simple one in its 

 structure. On the river side opposite, the granite hills presented a very 

 characteristic appearance, showing their bare forms with but a trace of 

 vegetation. For some distance westward, the Sweetwater Hills remain 

 timbered, until they degenerate into mere bluffs. Pine and spruce on the 

 top and quaking asp hi the narrow gulches leading downward com- 

 prise the large mass of the trees. Some very picturesque little canons 

 are cut into these hills, and they abound in game. 



At the immediate base of the hill which we were occupying we per- 

 ceived several tents and a herd of horses. Biding down to investigate, 

 we found encamped there a party of English gentlemen, who were on a 

 hunting expedition. They had met with fair success thus far, and told 

 us of a band of buffalo which was gradually approaching the hills from 

 the north. Canrp was moved about twenty miles westward on the day 

 following, and we accompanied the English hunters in their search for 

 the buffalo. We rode over the summit of the entire hill without finding 

 them, after which our companions returned to their camp. We continued 

 toward ours, and found two old buffalo bulls on the way, which were 

 captured after a most exciting chase. It is surprising for how many bid- 

 lets a buffalo can form the receptacle without dropping. Beaching camp 

 near sundown, we found it located on a small alkaline stream, on the 

 south side of the hills. 



Having now arrived at a point from where our present work could be con- 

 nected with that finished in the beginning of July, we crossed the Sweet- 



