Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-07-17

our horses, and wash our clothes. We
sent out two hunters, who killed deer,
and saw some goats and large herds OF
buffaloe. Late In the evening on Nom
day the cath, we reached the Arkansas,
having travelled during the day in sight
! of buffaloe, which are here innumera-
bic. The Arkansas at this place is a
bout three hundred yards wide, very
! shallow, interrupted by bars, and con-
fined by banks of entire sand-the water
has every appearance ol being as mud
dy as .hat ofthe Missouri; we, however,
crossed one ofits branches, whose wa
tiers were limpid and beautiful, md
which was one hundred yards wide a
mile from its mouth We gave this the
name of Hope Creek. These streams
| afford no timber except few scatter
ing cotton-woods. It's a circumstance
of surprise to us that we have rot seen
Indians, or fresh sign of them, although
we have traversed their most frequen.
ted hunting ground; but considering
their furtivc habits, and predatory dis
posion, the absence Of their company,
during our journey, will not be matter
of regret.
The next day we crossed the Arkan-
sas at place where It is not more than
eighteen inches deep, and encamped on
the south bank. We left our eDcamp-
ment early the next morning, and a bout
noon came to large settlement or
torn of prairie dogs, which appeared to
cover surface of ten acres. They bur-
row in the earth, are of a dark brown
colour, about the size of a pup FIVE or
six weeks old, which they nearly
resemble in every respect ex-
cept the ears, which are more like
those of the oppossum. Having de-
sire to taste its flesh, | killed one, a
small part of which roasted, but found
it strong and unpalatable. Their sense
of hearing is acute, and their appre-
hension of danger SO great, that the
least noise of approach frightens them
to their holes, from which they make
continual and vehement barking until
person approaches within fifty or sixty
yards Of them; they then take to their
holes, with their heads elevated above
the ground, and continue barking until
the approach is very near, when they
disappear instantaneously. They often
sit erect, with their fore legs hanging
down like bear We found here a
ludicrous looking animal, perfectly I'M
known to any one of our company; it
was about the size of racoon, and of d
light gray colour, had uncommonly fine
fur, small eyes, and was almost cover
ed with long shaggy hair; its toe nails
were front one and half to two inches
in length; its meat was tender and de-
licious. We also killed one of the rab-
bit species as large as our common fox;
il was of grey colour, but its ears and
tail were black. 1t exhibited an agility
in running short distance after it was
shot, which exceeded any thing of the
kind we had ever witnessed. We regret
the deficiency Of our geological inior-
nation, which prevents our giving a
more scientific and satisfactory account
of those animals.
The evening of the 2Sth brought us
to some very high hills for this country,
composed entirely of sand, which had
been in sight all day, exhibiting at g dis
lance luminous or whitsh appearance;
they are very extensive and entirely
destitute of vegetation. We encamped
here, substituting buffaloe manure for
fuel Our lodging was very uncom-
Portable, in consequence of being ex-
b. 10 &c rs vx-l,ic
upon rs necessarily till day. The next
morning we started early, and killing a
buhaloe for breakfast, proceeded again |
on our journey. At about one O'Clock
found ourselves on the celebrated salt
plain of the Arkansas. 1t was about
one mile wide; its length we did not
ascertain Its appearance was very
different from the idea | had formed
from the several descriptions which
had seen. This, however, might have
been owing to the late heavy rains, that |
had covered the earth three inches deep |
with water, which we found to be a
strong brine. Under the water was an
apparent mixture of salt and sand, and |
in dry weather have no doubt the APP
pearance of salt would be much grea-
ter. So far as the eye can reach, on
every side, the country here appears
alive with buffaloe and other animals.
About this time we saw five wild hor-
ses, being the first we had seen. They
had the appearance, ct distance, OF
being fine large animals. Some Diff
culties now presented themselves. es-
pecially the scarcity of food for our hor-