valleys between the upper and lower geyser basins seem bo 
be uniformly of trachyte with more or less of the pitchstone 
in the upper strata, or atop of it, 
Mushback, Kelsey, Ladd and I the returned to the 
upper basin. ' Oapt. Norris stayed with Hayden. Phil Boetler 
is with Norris, Iiis team also. Old man Bush drives the 
wagon. A scout who carried the mail for Norris reported 
that Stevenson in at the Mammoth Hot Springs with grub and 
that a large Indian trail was found crossing the park from 
toward Henry* s Lake to the yellowstone. It is also reported 
that Steve Hovey who was some days since sent ahead for 
provisions was seen yesterday on the Yellowstone Lake, having 
lost his course and much time. 
r August 23. 
Gannett T s party remains in camp. While the road makers 
move up to the middle basin Tom goes to the upper basin for 
advice from Dr. Hayden. Gannett and I ride up the basin 
to see the hot springs and geysers. All seem to me to be 
finer and more interesting than my memory depicted. The lone 
geyser of the group is a very interesting one. As we stood 
near looking at the great pool, a heavy mass of steam came 
up and with an explosive sound sent a great quantity or 
sparkling steam wreathed water into the air. P'e looked on 
quite astounded at several repetitions of the same phenomenon. 
The highest jets were thrown to a height of 50 or 60 feet. 
