6 
ring’s PLANTATION. — SCULLYVILLE. 
to wait for tlie next flash to guide us. Through mud and pools of water we actually waded up 
to our thighs. Approaching the plantation, the road emerged from the low lands, and we 
ascended a gravelly ridge. On reaching camp, it presented the appearance of a bivouac, no 
tents being pitched. Some of the party had taken shelter from the pitiless storm within the 
comfortable mansion of the proprietor. Here were awaiting ourselves also a warm supper, dry 
clothing, and beds, which our unexpected walk prepared us to enjoy. 
July 16— Camp 1, Ring’s plantation. —The surveying party returned to the point where 
work was yesterday suspended, and continued their operations ; hut the water and mud were 
so deep that little progress could he made. The soil of the low lands is exceedingly rich and 
fertile, producing nature’s spontaneous growth in tropical profusion. It is usually moist, being 
occasionally overflowed by freshets of the Arkansas. The numerous cultivated patches upon 
the roadside give promise of abundant crops. The higher country, commencing at Ring’s plan¬ 
tation, is undulating, and beautifully variegated with woodland and prairie. 
The western boundary of the State of Arkansas is 100 feet east of Fort Smith, between the 
barracks and the city which bears the same name. Leaving the latter we enter upon the coun¬ 
try ceded to the Choctaw nation, where no white man can in his own right acquire a land-title 
or residence without permission of the Indians and their agents. Ring married a Choctaw 
woman, and in her behalf possesses a valuable estate. His house is built in Texas style, with 
a wide piazza in front and rear, united by a broad, open passage-way through the centre of the 
building. Doors upon the right and left lead to inner rooms. Within the yard is a well 40 
or 50 feet deep, with excellent water, resting upon the coal measures. For his cattle and sheep, 
which he raises in considerable numbers, are other wells or springs. Some of his cattle we pur¬ 
chased for beef, at $10 per head. Good sheep cost $2.50 each. It is probable that the prices 
we were compelled to pay for necessary supplies were considerably above their ordinary market 
value. 
The spring wagon was sent back to Fort Smith to be repaired. This evening a courier 
arrived with the mail. A letter from Mr. White informs us that he has transferred our stores 
from the steamboat aground in the Ohio to another of lighter draught. There is, therefore, hope 
of his arrival by the next mail-boat at Fort Smith. 
July 17— Camp 1, Ring’s plantation. —This day being Sunday, we have remained quietly in 
camp. 
July 18— Camp 1, Ring’s plantation. —The mud and pools of water, produced by Friday’s 
storm, having dried sufficiently to allow of it, the survey to-day has been brought up to camp. 
Geological and natural history examinations have proved quite interesting in this locality. 
July 19— Camp 2, Scullyville. —The survey passed across a ravine and over a hill, well wooded 
with excellent oaks, to an elevated plain called Ring’s prairie. This was the first of those 
anomalies of nature that we had seen. It was probably a mile and a half wide, and several 
miles in length—appearing as if it had been cleared amid the surrounding forests by the hand 
of man. It was covered with rank grass, upon which herds of cattle were grazing. Over the 
smooth slope towards the northwest stretched the road leading to Fort Coffee. Our own route 
lay westwardly ; and, passing over gentle hills and through wooded valleys, six miles from 
Ring’s plantation we reached Scullyville, the seat of the Choctaw agency. The village consists 
of about thirty houses, most of which are stores, where the Indian may supply himself with 
articles of use or ornament. A pretty brook flows through the centre of the place, bearing the 
same name as the town itself, Scullyville, derived from the Choctaw “ Iskuli-fehna,” meaning 
money. As they are accustomed to visit the agency to obtain their annuities, the name was 
naturally suggested. Returning to camp after a walk to the agency, we found our friend Dr. 
Romford, from Fort Smith. He has an extensive practice among the Choctaws, who, attracted 
by his kindness of manner, seem desirous of substituting science for the rude ceremonies of 
their medicine men. An express rider had also arrived from Captain Montgomery, with the 
