CHAPTER III. 
Delaware Settlement to Oak Creek. 
Difficulty of procuring a guide.—Jesse Chisholm.—Accounts of the Delawares: their rites and ceremonies.—Remarks regarding 
the Comanches and other tribes.—Straying of animals.—Discovery of a comet.—Mexican captives.—A Delaware carousal.— 
Return of Mr. Gaines.—Prairie on fire.—Cross Timbers.—Hueco Indians.—Vincente, the interpreter— Kicliai guide.—Branches 
of Walnut creek.—Finely timbered valleys.—Fertility of the soil.—March interrupted by burning prairies.—A norther.—Deer 
creek.—Buffalo crossing.—Rock Mary.—Gypsum creek.—Bear creek.—Valley of False Washita.—Elm creek.—Comet creek.— 
Silver creek.—Marcou creek.—Oak creek. 
August 18— Camp 21.—We have now traversed the whole extent of country occupied hy the 
semi-civilized Indians of the Choctaw nation, and are upon the verge of the great western 
prairies, over which wild savages hold almost undisputed sway. We are informed that the 
season has been remarkably dry; many streams and springs, usually unfailing, being now 
waterless. The Canadian river is uncommonly low; and Black Beaver apprehends that we 
shall suffer on the trip before us, for the want of water. It is desirable, therefore, at this place 
to make every arrangement, and take every precaution, to avert such a calamity as might 
interrupt the operations of the survey. We shall, therefore, remain here till our mules, which 
are becoming tender-footed, can he shod, and a guide, if possible, he obtained. By the advice 
of the officers at Fort Smith, a messenger was sent to Black Beaver, some yveeks since, to try to 
secure his services. He is the only Indian of the country who has traversed the route we pro¬ 
pose to take, near the valley of the Canadian. But he is in ill health, and no inducement can 
prevail upon him to accompany us. Johnson, the Shawnee guide, who has given satisfaction 
thus far, refuses to continue the trip, for fear of the savages. Our only dependence, therefore, 
is upon John Bushman, a Delaware guide of some celebrity, and Jesse Chisholm, the Cherokee. 
Both have been sent for. Their knowledge of the prairies would doubtless enable them to find 
water in cases where the inexperienced would fail. 
The various parties of the survey have been employed in computing and plotting their field- 
notes, and in making scientific collections. Meteorological and barometric observations are kept 
up during the day; and astronomical observations, as usual, at night. Bushman has arrived ; 
and after much persuasion, agrees to accompany us for two dollars and fifty cents per day. 
August 19— Camp 21.—Bushman has receded from his engagement. He says, <£ Maybe you 
find no water; maybe you all die.” Impressed with this idea, no persuasion, no argument, 
no money can prevail upon him to undertake the journey. Chisholm, who lias arrived, also 
declines the service. He is a man of considerable wealth, and extensively engaged in trade. 
In the prosecution of his regular business, he could realize twice the amount the government 
would he willing to pay for his services. His determination is to be regretted the more, from 
the'influence he possesses with the wild tribes westward. He is a man of excellent judgment, 
and has travelled much among the western savages. At the great Indian council, held about 
six weeks since, he was selected as the general interpreter of all: Comanches, Kioways, Kichais, 
Creeks, Delawares, Shawnees, Chickasaws, and Choctaws. He has traded with, and been much 
among the Comanches, and understands not only their language, hut their manners, customs, 
and ceremonies, probably better than any one not belonging to their tribe. 
A vocabulary of Comanche words has been carefully compiled, according to his pronun¬ 
ciation. 
Finding that Chisholm would not accompany us, we visited Beaversville to learn from its chief 
