70 
FREDERICKSBURG 
dead or alive. At least twenty shots were fired at 
them, both with pistols and rifles, by several indivi- 
duals of the party, who considered themselves good 
marksmen ; but they either dodged at the flash, or, 
if shot, fell into their holes, at the mouth of which 
they invariably sat. Not one was obtained. On 
examination, drops of blood were seen near the holes, 
which showed that some of the shots took effect. 
In one instance I saw a rattlesnake enter one of the 
habitations ; but whether he belonged there or was 
an interloper it was impossible to tell. Small brown 
owls flitted about, and lit on the little hillocks in 
the midst of the prairie dogs, with which they 
seemed to be upon good terms. For more than three 
hours our march continued through the vast domains 
of this community, or “ dog-town,” as they are usu- 
ally called, nor did they terminate when we stopped 
for the night. 
The country passed over to-day was very smooth 
and hard, and excellent for wagons in any direc- 
tion. The grass was poor. The only trees seen were 
mezquit, which we here found for the first time in 
fruit. 
The plain suddenly terminated by a steep descent 
of about 150 feet, to another, which extended along its 
base, and through which ran Brady’s Creek (south 
fork), where we encamped. Like the other water 
courses we had passed, this was nearly dry, and existed 
only in pools. Quails were abundant here ; and by 
the time my cook had his fire ready, I had a dozen of 
these delicious birds ready for him. Estimated dis- 
tance travelled to-day, twenty -five miles. 
