CHAPTER II. 
From Scullyville to Delaware Settlement. 
Arrival of the escort.—-A new recruit.—Departure from Scullyville.—Long prairie.—Illness and return of Mr. Jones.—Sans Bois 
creek.—Gaines’ creek.—Singular alternations of woodland and prairie.—Chickasaw village.—Coal strata.—Shawnee village.— 
Account of the inhabitants.-—Mexican captives.—Visit to Little River settlement.—Shawneetown.—Favorable route from Coal 
creek to Boggy river.—Headwaters of the Boggy.—Delaware mount.—Old Camp Arbuckle. 
July 26 —Camp 3.—Lieutenant Jones having arrived with the escort, and the necessary ar¬ 
rangements being complete, camp was struck early this morning with the determination of pro¬ 
gressing with the survey. To pack the wagons, for the first time, with all the appurtenances 
necessary for so long a trip, was a labor of no little difficulty. Few of the party had the expe¬ 
rience by which alone the knowledge of such matters can he acquired. While employed upon 
this work, there drove up, in a wagon drawn by two horses, an odd-looking individual, who 
claimed protection. He said that he had travelled across the country from St. Louis, intending 
to proceed to Texas, where his son was residing. In his wagon were dry goods, and he had in 
his pocket several hundred dollars. He stated that he had been followed for along distance by 
some white men, whose behavior was so suspicious that he feared for his life. 
As our wagons were packed to the hows, and many indispensable articles still lying upon the 
ground, we offered to purchase his wagon and horses, and employ him as driver to California. 
He gladly accepted the proposition. His goods were deposited in a shop for safe-keeping, the 
wagon was loaded, and the driver, who had been, in his day, Methodist preacher, merchant, and 
pedler, entered upon his new career with great zeal. 
When about to take leave of Capt. Cooper, the herdsmen informed us that an Indian woman 
claimed our best cow, and was standing guard, with a stick, before the gate of the enclosure 
within which the animal was secured. Mr. Ring, from whom the purchase was made, denied 
the woman’s right, and desired that the cow should be driven away; but the herdsman disliked 
to use force without orders; and, besides, they were surrounded by a great number of Choctaws, 
who might have taken the woman’s part. On riding to the spot, all parties were found in a 
state of angry excitement, but they were told to let the matter rest till it could be submitted to 
the Indian agent. He at once decided in favor of the woman, directing Ring to refund the 
purchase money, and leave the cow to her till a fuller investigation should be made. The de¬ 
cision was annoying to Ring, who felt himself placed in a false light, or a bad one, by the ter¬ 
mination of the affair. It was, however, pleasing to see that the first desire of the agent was 
to protect the rights of the Indians. Taking leave of Capt. Cooper, we followed the train; 
reading some Cherokee and Choctaw newspapers that had been handed us. One side of each, 
however, was in English, enabling us to perceive that they contained some clever articles. 
The road traversed a country of well-wooded hills, with gentle slopes, and fine grassy prai¬ 
ries intervening. Farm-houses, surrounded by corn-fields and gardens, were thinly scattered 
upon the route. Having travelled ten miles, we encamped upon the edge of a woodland, by a 
small stream, and near a meadow of luxuriant grass. The surveying party had been directed 
to proceed southwardly from Scullyville, to a branch of the Poteau previously surveyed; and 
thence to enter and follow the Long prairie westwardly to the Sans Bois. But, from some mis¬ 
understanding, a branch of the Poteau has been ascended to the midst of wooded hills, that 
form the dividing ridge. The work has therefore been tedious, and is not yet brought to camp. 
