TO FREDERICKSBURG. 
53 
would make tke road a good one ; but most of tbe 
roads in Texas are so good naturally, that the idea of 
improving such portions as really need it, seems never 
to have been entertained. Reached a well known 
watering place called the Comanche Spring, over 
which a stone building has lately been erected. Several 
German families reside here, who have brought their 
lands into a fine state of cultivation. 
October \2th. Morning quite foggy. The roads very 
heavy and stony, and the country of the same character 
as that passed over yesterday. Open grassy plains 
occur at intervals, with clumps of live-oak, giving a 
cheerful and picturesque appearance to the landscape. 
Passed the dry bed of a stream, in following which we 
spent an hour waiting for the train to come up. Mr. 
Thurber collected some specimens of plants, among 
them several species of Euphorbia. First noticed the 
Sycamore to-day. The prevailing timber continues to 
be live-oak. Reached Sabine Creek at 3 o’clock, p. m., 
where we encamped after a very hard day’s march, our 
mules showing much fatigue. The margins of the creek 
bore cypress trees of large size, and great beauty of 
foliage. This is the last place at which we saw the 
palmetto. The bright flowers of the Lobelia cardinalis 
were abundant. 
October 1 3 th. An express from Quarter-master My er 
arrived at midnight, informing me that in consequence 
of a further call upon him for horses for the party, and 
to meet other demands, he should require more funds. 
The messenger waited till after breakfast, when he was 
dispatched to the quarter-master with the requisite 
drafts. 
