Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-02-04

ration, to prevent our reloining them, our
situation would be rather desperate one.
We had not morse Of proyisions-o
arms and ammunition were gone--and
we were entirely at tho mercy Of any
struggling band Of savages, and not lii
tie in danger Of starvation. We therefore
set out at once in two parties--Mr. Preuss
and myself on the lett, aud the men on
the opposite side Of the river. Climbing
out OF the canon, we found ourselves in
very broken country, At one point, the
red argiIlaceous sandstone rose in wall
Of 500 feet, surmounted by a stratum of
white sandstone; and IN an opposite ra-
vine column oi red sandstone rose, in
form like a steeple, about $50 feet high
The scenery was extremely picturesque,
and, Notwithstanding our forlorn condition,
we we're frequently obliged TO stop and
admire il. Our progress was not very ra-
pd. We had emerged from the water
half naked, and on arriving at the top of
the precipice, | found myself with only
one moccasin The fragments OF rock
made walking painful, and | was frequent
y obliged to stop and pull out the lhorns of
the cactus, hero the prevailing plant, and
with which few minntes' walk covered
the bottom Of my feet. From this ridge
the river emerged into u smiling prairie,
and, descending to the bank we were join
ed by Benoist, Tho rest of the party
had taken more inland route. We cross
ed The river repeatedly sometimes able
10 ford il, and sometimes swimming
climbed over the ridges Of two moro ca
mons, and towards evening reached the cut,
which we here named the Hot Spring gate.
On our previous visit in July, we had not
entered this pass, reservlng il for our de-
scent in the boat; and when we entered It
this evening, Mr. Pfeuss was few hun
dred feet in advance. Heated with the
long march, he came suddenly upon fine
bold spring, gushing from the rock, about
ten feet above the river Eager to enjoy
tho crystal water, he thew himself down
for hasty draught, and took moulhful Of
water almost boiling hot. He said nothing
to Benoisl, who laid himself down to drink
but The steam from the water arrested
his eagerness, and he escaped the hot
Granght. We had no Thermometer 10 as
certain the temperature, but could hold
my hand in the water jus, long enough TO
count two seconds. There are eight or
ten Of these springs, discharging Them
selves by streams large enough TO be call.
ed runs. A loud, hollow noise was heard
from the rock, which supposed to be pro-
d,,,s,I t,ft k., fall ~ ~.
ia Immediately where they issue is fine
white end calcarous sandstone, covered
with an incruslation Of common salt
Leaving this Tbermopya of tho west in
a short walk we reached the red ridge
which has been described as lying Just
above Goat island. Ascending this, we
found some fresh tracks and button,
which showed that the other men had al.
ready arrived. A shout from the man who
first reached the top Of the ridge, answer
ed from below, informed us that our friends
we're all on the island; and we were soon
among them. We found some pieces Of
buffalo standing around the fire for us, and
managed to get some dry clothes among
the people.
Al 10 O'Clock on the morning Of the
26th, we reached Cache camp, where we
found every thing undisturbed. We dis
inferred our deposte, arranged our carts
which had been left here on the way out,
and, travelling few miles in the after.
noon, encamped Of the ford OF the Platte.
August 27.--The country, which, when
we passed up, looked as il the hard winter
frosts had passed over il, had now assum.
ed new face, so much OF vernaI fresh
ness had been given TO il by the late rains.
This Platte was exceedingly Iowa mere
line OF water among the sondbars. We
reached Laramie tort on the last day Of
August, alter an absence Of fortytwo days,
and had the pleasure to find our friends all
we'll. The fortieth day had been fixed
for our return; and the quick eyes Of the
Indians, who had been on The lookoui for
US, discovered our flag as we wound among
the hills. The fort saiuieG US with 70.
peated dischargesof IL single piece, which
we returned with scattered yoleys OF our
small arms, and felt all the Joy Of home
reception in getting back to this remote
station, which seemed 80 far of when we
vent out.
i September 30--Wo encamped in an
almost Impenelrabe underground on Tho
left bank of the Platte, in the point Of land
al its confluence with the Missouri--3l5
miles from the junction Of the forks, and
$50 from Fort Laramie.
[The party reached 81. Louis on 18th octo-
Der, after an absence Of GEAR i've months,
having travelled about $500 miIes.
In our next, we shall commence the pub
LEGATION Of some extracts from the narrative
of the second expedition TO Oregon and
California; Ed'r,l