The Arkansas advocate., 1835-06-05
ECnnfi,ftaie

Continued.
 2I.--Early in the morning, we came suddenly upon q broad river with bluff banks, running in a course nearly east. Here, then, was Red River at last, which we thought was far behind uss Now, however, there could be no dispute. Here 1t was, a broad sand bed, more than mile wide, with not drop of water visible, and with a high prairie on each side--while the only thing to relieve the monotony, was few hacSberries growing under the bluffs. We crossed the river and found a thread of salt water just under the opposite bank. Here were plenty of new roads, made by the buffalo in crossing the river. On as- eendlng the bluff, we came again upon high prairie covered by numerous villages of prairie-dogs, who sat chatteriag at us from their holes. This singular little ani- nal, which has no resemblance to dog except in the name, IS to be found in villa ges throughout the whole prairie, and al- ways in the highest part of 1t, where they must dig to an immense depth to reach water. They are about as large as grey squirrel, of brown color, and shaped nearly like woodehuek. They are always found in villages, and there is commonly one hole which has five times the quantity of earth piled around it that any other house in the village can boast of. They have many enemies. The rattlesnake lives in the same hole with them and deVoars them; and the little brown prairie wolf ahd the tiger-cat lie in wait for them at their very doors. You will frequently, too, find owls 4Iao.. t,,Io RI noon in a small low place full of buffalo Yallows. There had been water here, but 1t was here no longer. We found hole, at length, about as large as my body, and scraped small hole, from which obtain ed 8 draught or two of mud and water, which left my throat plastered over with the former substance. We ate our last venison and went on. In the afternoon VIC saw some cows; and towards night my horse began to fail, and we turned down to a small creek, timbered with hackberry, for the purpose of encamping, and Lewis and lsh killed three cows and q yearling calf The water on which we encamped was both muddy and salt. Travelled this day about fifteen miles in direction nearly north.
 Thus it will be seen, that from our de- parture from the Del Resgate branch of the Brazos river, we had travelled about one hundred and forty miles when we reached Red River, in t course generally north- east.
 22.-Traveled generally this day in the prairie. now and then crossing small creek, and eneamped at night in an open place near deep hole of water. This day we saw an abundance of COWS, and heard them grunting about us at night. We were now n all the glory of a prairie life, with an abundance of buffalo, good water, and plenty of timber; and we lay down at night with feeling of freedom and independence, which man does not always enjoy in a city. Travelled to-day about fifteen miles north.
 23.-Early this morning, band of buf- t5;lo came about us, and we lay in camp and killed two; took the tongues and the hump meat, and went on. About noon, We saw the first pecan tree which had greeted us, and we hailed 1t as something peculiar to home. You would have sup posed that we had reached house or a city. We likewise found some scattering oak giades, and began to feel out of danger. ouot ultGl uOOtls WG CuIllo upon q CItGk Ol good water, bordered with excellent grass, and determined to stop and recruit our hor- Z ses. We turned down and encamped ac- cordingly, after travelling this day about nine miles nearly north. Moccasin ma- king and mending clothes occupied the re- mainder of the day; and not only at this time, but often afterwards, we had reason A to rejoice that Irwin was with us to play the part of tailor, in which he was an adept.
 24.-Lay by to-day. and ill the evening Lewis and Ish killed one COW and year ling, and wounded barren COW !; feasted upon marrow bones and hump ribs, and threw fear to the winds, very piously hand ing over the Cumanches, with our good wishes, to his Satanic Majesty.
 25.-Left camp, and, after proceeding about mile, found our wounded COW, vel alive, and able to make fight; killed hel and took the fleece. She was, to use a western expression, powerful fat. Plenty of meat packed now, every horse bearing a whole buffalo fleece; that is, all the mea on the outslde,of the back bone, hump ribs