EXCURSION TO THE CANADIAN.—GAINES’ CREEK. 
13 
guide, explored in a northerly direction, twelve miles, to the Canadian river. Two ranges of 
mountains, or rather high hills, were crossed between camp and the Canadian. The valley of 
the river is several miles in width. The stream itself, at the mouth of “Long-town creek,’* 
supposed to he some twenty-five miles above the junction of the Canadian with the Arkansas, 
is about 360 feet broad. The water flows sluggishly ; is of a whitish color, nearly clear, and 
less than knee-deep. In the valley are great numbers of large hickory trees, cedars, and oaks. 
An interesting collection of plants, shells, and fishes was obtained at this place. 
Canadian river, at the mouth of Long-town creek. 
August 4 —Camp 10.—Desiring to make greater progress, we had the tents struck at daybreak, 
but to little purpose. The road proved exceedingly rough, being crossed by deep gullies, worn 
by the rains that had washed from the hills to the Sans Bois, upon our left. To repair it would 
have occupied too much time, and two wagons were broken while pitching down one of these 
hollows, producing a long delay. Passing into the bottom lands belonging to Gaines’ creek, 
the foliage of the forest seemed too dense to allow the sun to warm the earth or evaporate the 
moisture, and the road was one long succession of miry sloughs and muddy pools. Having 
travelled seventeen and a half miles, we encamped upon La Honda, a branch of Gaines’ creek. 
The survey had made good progress over ground favorable for a railway. The distances were 
