34 
PUEBLO INDIANS.—DESERTED COMANCHE LODGES. 
in a grove of trees, and containing a spring of water within the court. An aceqnia from the 
river insured the garden in front from the ill effects of a dry season. The place is now deso¬ 
late, its only use being to designate a ford. At the next large valley from the south two 
Indians were seen ; the Mexicans pursued, hut could not overtake them. Passing through a 
little range of sand-hills, we crossed the bed of Bluff creek near its mouth. Upon the north 
hank of the Canadian a bluff of the Llano hung over the valley, with gullies cut in its deep red 
soil. In the bottoms below were groves of timber, streams, and meadows, presenting a pleasant 
landscape. Looking behind, a huge column of smoke was seen rising; and it was noticed that 
the surveying party, with the carretela, was not in sight. With great anxiety we were about 
to return, when they appeared, around a point’ of hills, approaching us. Indians were at the 
same time seen reconnoitring from distant heights, but they did not come near. Having 
travelled nineteen miles along the smooth valley of the Canadian, we made camp where a low 
ridge of hills from the south impinged upon the river. These are from fifty to a hundred yards 
in width, and it is the first place since entering the valley which would require the labor of a 
deep cut for a railroad. 
September 12 —Camp 42.—Seeing several Indians in the Mexican camp, we sent to inquire 
who they were. They returned with the messengers, to speak for themselves. They were 
Pueblo Indians from Santo Domingo, with flour and bread, to barter with the Kai-o-was and 
Comanches for buffalo robes and horses. They were mounted on mules, wrapped in serapes, or 
Mexican blankets, and wore head-dresses, beads, and other Indian ornaments. There were six 
or eight of their party scattered over the prairie in search of Comanches. Thus far they had 
been unsuccessful, the majority of the wild tribes not having returned from their northern 
hunting tour. 
Leaving camp, the valley of the river appeared wider as we ascended, and wooded ravines 
came down from the hills to unite with it. The sand-hills encountered yesterday have disap¬ 
peared. We are now upon the upper new red sandstone, and many remnants of u mesas" 
appear, capped with dolomite. Here are good materials for masonry. At 10 a. m. we crossed 
Moale creek, flowing beneath a border of trees to the Canadian. Gypsum crops out from the 
red marl of the cliffs. Salt springs and efflorescent salts, supposed to be sulphates of soda, 
magnesia, and lime, abound in the wide bottoms of the valley we have traversed to-day. At 
noon we turned abruptly from the river, south, and followed a ravine, by the side of which we 
soon ascended a high bank to the prairie. This was once a portion of the Llano Estacado; but 
the upper strata have been worn and washed away, leaving the surface undulating, sometimes 
hilly, and cut into ravines which form canons as they approach the Canadian. Our road was 
now good, and, after travelling five miles, we found a spring where we watered the mules and 
filled the canteens. We then proceeded nearly south to White Sandy creek, where, finding 
abundance of water in pools, we encamped. By the survey we have travelled eighteen miles, 
and ascended five hundred feet. The grass looks parched and dry ; and, since leaving the 
river, scarce a tree has appeared to relieve the landscape. 
September 13 —Camp 42.—The mules needing rest, we concluded to remain for the day. The 
water in the creek is good; there is enough wood in the vicinity for camp purposes; and the 
grama, though apparently dry, contains nutritious juices, being, for the animals, better than 
corn. The nine Pueblo Indians and the Mexicans also remain, hoping to attract a party of 
Comanches to purchase their supplies. 
September 14 —Camp 43.—Took an early start, and travelled over rolling prairie, with a good 
road, twenty miles to Shady creek, where we encamped. This is the first waterless jornada 
encountered upon the survey. Artesian borings or common wells might probably afford a 
supply at various points near our trail. The beautiful rivulet upon which we are encamped is 
a flowing stream, bordered with trees, and fertilizing an extensive valley. 
Our predecessors here were Comanches. The Teguas say that they left twenty days since, either 
for a buffalo hunt or for war. There appear to be not less than three hundred deserted lodges; 
