Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-17


ment in a northwest direction; passed
under the brow of steep bluffs on The
left, while at the right was small ant
handsome prairie bottom. We saw
many Indian houses built of sticks
tied to upright posts, and thatched
with hay. The apertures between
the wood were filled with . kind o.
plaster of mud and grass to prevent
the admission of too great quantity
of cold air during the coming winter.
The same were mere caverns dug into
the side of the bluffs and walled up
in front with sod; while others are
constructed like tent, covered with
sod and turf, resembling the outward
appearance Of cole-pit. with an open
ling of about three feet for a door,
These are their winter quarters. AT
about noon we came in sight of the
settlement at Prairie La Cross. which
place we had anticipated seeing for
many days.
Der. 2l. Our axle-trce was mend
ed Ohanks to Fosters yankee ingenu-
Iity) and on we started at 9 o'clock A.
M. :, IL miles to Black rivcr-not ford
able--encamped on the sandy shore;
no wood for fire but float wood-our
route this day was mostly through
sunted burr oak openings, scattered
like the trees Of an orchard-grass
very short--few plants or shrubs
soil as poor as the sheep pastures Of
Lazarus, no water save in two ravines,
in each of which runs a fine clear
stream, across which we drew our
wagons with ropes. All of us ia
tigeud.
Ger. 22. Procured boat by day.
light. and in two hours got everything
across Black River. Found a COM
psny Of lumbermen on the west bank,
sleeping without tents, fire or blankets!
Poor devils! They earn all the pine
thep steal from Uncle Sam. We pass
ed up the bluff and moved forward 90
miles--over barren sandy oak open
ings, as yesterday, except one green
spot-the farm Of a Mr.. Douglass,
brother of Douglass who owns the
saw mill where we crossed Black
River in the morning. Bought gun
for Rice, who acted as our Nimrod.
Der. 90. Reached the field Of our
survey, 80 townships yet in blank, Of
Uncle Sans domain--hops the old
gentleman may get back the purchase
money! AT ten o'clock, all being
duly sworn, we commenced our labors.
The teams moved on to Mason's ford
on Black River. Chained three miles
then walked eight miles to camp
faces as long as the ryders of rail
fence.
Der. %. Early this morning got
ohiG .. sos- mill on the etbar side to
take US over Black River--got our
luggage &c. over in two or three hours
left our wagons--mounted our hor-
SEES and swan over. At IL O'Clock we
moved up the bluf--our five horses
loaded with luggage. Started for the
4th p. NJ, single file on a dim trail
through pine forest, each horse with
with pack on his back like the hump
Of dromedary, and bell on the
neck. The five horses and eight men
thus moving through the gloomy for
est III single file, made rather solemn
caravan.
Der. IS. This is the first day of the
week-Sunday has not yet got as far
northwest as this-and We have been
hard at work: surveyed II miles, thro'
a pine forest. a windfalI OF pines (the
track of some old bankrupt hurricsne)
and tamarac swamps and quicksands,
relieved by an occasional spot which
was designed to be land We are
encamped on small dry point Of
land, swamp on each side, with and in
front, a beautiful lake IL miles in cir
cumfrence. Fine evening - men in
good spirits--horses grazing about the
tent.
ITO be continued
Caught Napping.-The Buffalo