SHAWNEE HILLS.-SHAWNEE SETTLEMENTS. 
15 
ing that there was an exceedingly had hill a mile or two ahead, we accompanied him to examine 
it. The report was not exaggerated. A long ridge, five hundred feet in height, called the 
Shawnee Hills, was found, extending southwest from the Canadian. Upon a spur of this ridge 
the road ascended at an angle of elevation varying from thirty to forty-five degrees, over 
rocks and ledges of sandstone. The guide knew no way of avoiding it, hut had been told by 
Shawnee hunters that it could he turned by traversing the forest south. Returning to camp 
through the edge of a wood, we encountered a flock of wild turkeys, the largest we had seem. 
There must have been many hundreds. 
August 9 —Camp 15.—Last evening a partial engagement was made with a Shawnee hunter 
to guide us south around the ridge, but this morning he was not to he found. Having there¬ 
fore sent the train and the base line of survey by the road, Mr. Campbell and myself ascended 
a branch of Coal creek, north and northwest, to its source in the mountains. Thence we 
crossed, by the lowest divide we could find, a sharp sandstone ridge, to a small stream, which, 
crossing westwardly, joins Shawnee creek and flows into the Canadian. A heavy grade, and 
a deep cut or tunnel from 500 to 1,000 yards in length, would probably be required at this 
place to unite the two valleys. But all this might, doubtless, be avoided. Every indication 
corroborates the Shawnee report of the country to the south, between the waters of Coal creek 
and the Boggy; and the route examined was so unfavorable that we determined to find a proper 
guide, and make the reconnaissance referred to. Following the western slope of the hills, we 
found a trail which led us through thick woodlands, until, having crossed the valley of the 
stream, we entered the Shawnee village. A large peach orchard, whose trees were loaded with 
fruit, first met our view. Houses, surrounded by gardens, orchards, and fields of grain, were 
scattered along the banks of a clear rivulet. Upon reaching the road we found the advanced 
party of the survey ; they were waiting for the train, and refreshing themselves with melons 
at a comfortable looking farm-house. The Indian men were robust and intelligent; and the 
women, dressed in neat calico frocks, with silver ear-rings, and brooches of Shawnee manufac¬ 
ture, were by far the best looking of their race that we had ever seen. Some of the young girls 
were almost white, with regular and pretty features. But an indication of the savage appears 
in the fact that the women perform the duties of the field as well as of the household. They 
break the soil, plant, gather the crops, and grind the corn. Most families, however, are pro¬ 
vided with negro or Mexican slaves. In such case, these relieve the mistress of the more 
laborious duties. The Shawnee men hunt deer and shoot turkeys, but are too lazy and too 
proud to work. 
Upon the arrival of the train we found that the road had proved even worse than had been 
anticipated. At one place the wagons had to be let down a precipice by ropes. One of them 
was upset, and an Aneroid barometer was broken. Proceeding about a mile beyond the village, 
we encamped upon the bank of a pleasant stream flowing towards the Canadian. 
August 10 —Camp 16.—Descending the bank of the stream, a wagon was upset, and the 
tongue broken. As it would take some time to repair it, a party travelled ahead with a 
Shawnee guide to examine the country. The way continued rough, though decidedly better 
than it was yesterday. The scenery was fine, and many settlements were visible from the 
roadside. Approaching some hills, there appeared a new road. The guide told us that it had 
been built by the Shawnees, and not only avoided hills, but was more direct. It proved to be 
about two miles long, passing various Indian farm-houses. It was cut through a dense forest, 
was nearly straight and level, with the gullies bridged over. We had not supposed that these 
Indians possessed the energy, skill, and public spirit necessary to construct so good a work. 
Having reached the old trail, we found a shady spot in a green valley, and there waited for the 
train to come up. Meanwhile Jim amused us by relating some of the habits and customs of his 
tribe. Afterwards he inquired whether the ground would burn ; not the grass, nor leaves, he 
said, but earth and gravel; and stooping, he gathered a handful in explanation. He wished 
to know, to test the truth of a story that had been told him by a Delaware, who pretended to 
