FROM COUNCIL GROVE TO BIG COW CREEK. 
21 
sixteen miles, the train was well encamped at Diamond spring, where we enjoyed the luxury oi 
cool water in abundance, but the supply of fuel was limited. 
July 2 .—The threatening state of the weather detained us rx camp this morning until 8 o’clock; 
but as the heavy showers in sight and the distant thunder at that hour receded, we started again 
over>heavy roads. We passed a branch of water dotted with trees on its banks, a mile from 
camp, and then saw nothing more of wood or water, except the rain-water of the previous day, 
until we arrived at Lost spring, after riding sixteen miles. The water is quite good, but not 
cool like that of last night. Not a tree or a bush is here anywhere to be seen ; but we en¬ 
camped, our previous knowledge of the place having caused us to bring a sufficiency of fuel for 
cooking. The country to-day was more level than heretofore, and the roads consequently not so 
well drained, and, as I have already said, not so well watered and timbered; but in all things 
else this wide, wide world of prairie is always the same—ever green and luxuriant with grass, and 
dotted with flowers, gently swelling here and sinking away there in soft lines and rounded figures, 
which it needs not the fancy of man to shape into lovely landscapes. Snipe literally swarmed 
on our path, and two or three fine dogs which belonged to our party were “pointing and set¬ 
ting” at every turn. 
July 3.—At half-past 6 o’clock our train was on the road, which had been dried, and con¬ 
sequently greatly improved, by the hot sun of the previous afternoon. Passing over a country 
destitute of timber, but from the recent rains covered with abundant pools of water, and sensibly 
rising as we travelled forward, we selected our camp on Cottonwood creek, seventeen miles 
from Lost spring, and at 12£ o’clock our animals were grazing—at least those of them that could 
endure the bites of the innumerable flies and mosquitoes without losing their appetites. This 
creek is but slightly timbered, chiefly by trees which its name indicates. The day is oppressively 
hot, with scarcely a breeze. The thermometer in the shade of a wagon, but not well situated, 
indicates 100° Fahrenheit. 
July 5.—We yesterdajr remained in camp for the benefit of our animals, one of which, how¬ 
ever, at the usual hour of marching, took matters into his own head, and, pulling up his picket- 
pin, took the road, and encamped at the next usual camping ground with a train he found there. 
To-day we continue to ascend even more perceptibly than on our last day’s march, and only 
passing a few pools of water and Little Turkey creek, eighteen miles out, encamped, after a 
ride of twenty-two miles, on one of the Turkey creeks, of which, at times, there are three. At 
this camp we have no wood, and the water is miserable, stagnant, and green. 
July 6.—Starting at 6 o’clock, and travelling, generally, over a very level country, we arrived 
in twenty-three miles at a fine camp on the Little Arkansas, where, however, we are seriously 
annoyed by flies and mosquitoes. We passed Big Turkey creek an hour out this morning, and 
during the day many stagnant pools. These pools do not usually exist during the summer, but 
are caused by recent rains. The road over which we are now passing would be very heavy 
during damp, rainy seasons, and we therefore congratulate ourselves on passing over it just after 
it is well dried from the recent heavy rains. All day, to the south, the sand-hills and. shrubbery 
of the Arkansas river bottom or vicinity have been visible. On the Little Arkansas there is but 
little fuel, and I can see that near the road it has perceptibly diminished since I was here in 
1849. 
July 7.—Moving over a level country for ten miles, brought us to a bushy gully in the prairie, 
honored with the name of Charez creek ; for what reason, however, no one can tell, unless it be 
because it never has water in it. It is also sometimes called Owl creek. Six miles from this 
we came to Little Cow creek, another bushy stream, with an occasional tree to ornament its 
banks. There is, at the road-crossing, no water; but turning to the left, towards a fine clump of 
bushes and trees, I observed General Garland’s large camp, with many animals, and doubtless 
an abundance of water. .We, however, continued our march for three miles, to Big Cow creek, 
which crosses the road at the bottom of a deep gully, with banks twenty feet in height—firm and 
