Ex. Doc. No. 41. 395 



Continuing our journey, we pressed forward rapidly, in order to 

 reach Cottonwood fork, which is nearly thirty miles from the 

 place where we were encamped this morning. We had a tedious 

 march and did not reach the creek until 3 o'clock. 



Our animals were very much jaded, and add to this that, the 

 moment we reached our goal, myriads of horse flies attacked our 

 cavalcaae furiously. In the efforts of the beasts to rid themselves 

 of the flies, they often became entangled in the u cabrestoes,;" we 

 were obliged to protect some of them by loose clothing; the mos- 

 quitoes, too, were troublesome to horses and riders. 



Ccttonwood fork is a tributary of the Neosb.J, as well as Coun- 

 cil grove creek and the waters intermediate. This stream is tim- 

 bered with large cotton wood trees that keep a continued rustling 

 of their leaves, for the slightest breeze. makes them tremble. 



We noticed here thickets of the elder (S. canadensis) in full- 

 bloom. The beautiful monarda (M. allophyla) covered the low 

 portions of the banks of this stream, while on the little sand bars 3 

 and close to the water's edge, a dense growth of the long leaved 

 willows overhung the clear water, in which sporttd the black bass 3 

 the cat fish, and the sun fish. Just where the road crosses, there 

 is a fine pool of water, from five to six feet deep and twelve feet 

 wide. 



Tuesday , July 7. — We concluded* that it would be best to remain 

 here for the clay, as our animals looked much harrassed by what 

 they have already undergone. We employed ourselves in getting 

 our affairs arranged in complete order; for we expect that this 

 is :he last stop that we shall make for some time to;come. Every- 

 thing was overhauled, our clothes were all washed, and all chose 

 arrangements, such as a journey of this kind suggest, but which 

 our continued movement did not permit us to accomplish, were this 

 day executed. 



Around our camp the ground looked golden with the different va- 

 rities of the golden rod, (solidago,) and along the stream we saw 

 box eider, (acer negundo,) and extended thickets of plum bushes. 



Not far from the camp we saw some antelope, (dicranocerus fur- 

 cifer,) so we sent or.t an old voyageur with the Indian hunter in 

 pursuit of them; but they returned unsuccessful, and reported that 

 the antelope were extremely shy. 



About 4 o'clock several companies of volunteers made their, ap- 

 pearance, and until it was quite late we heard the tramp of horses^ 

 the clashing of sabres, and jingling of spurs; at last they all ar- 

 rived, and the camp was quiet, save the howl of the sentinel 



Wednesday y July 3. — At 5 o'clock this morning- we, were on the 

 route for the Turkey creeks; they are three in number, and unite a 

 few miles below the points where our road crosses them; the day 

 was pleasant, for the sky was overcast. 



* We had now reached the short grass, that is not more than four 

 or five inches in length, and we saw little patches of the true buf- 

 falo grass, (sesleria dactyloides,) a short and curly grass, so unique 



