Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-01-08

with difficulty we found our way back 10
camp, which we reached 10 time to pariake
Of hearty though simple supper. Dis
tance, 4 m;les-37.
Sunday. April did not move camp.
II ever the Sabbath was required as a day
Of "resi," this was, as well for our animals
as selves but idleness in cam? becomes
monoiony, and as we could not not endure
that, some Of US went cunning. and
others fishing. 1 sho, several large
fox squirrels, others caught some small
fish. resembling what we call "sun.6sh.'
Our game made US a very pala'able supper.
The troops moved on this morning. The
Sabbath is not observed in the urmy.
We have crossed several mountains and
found abundance Of iron ore, and indica-
,ions of coal. The soil in the valIies
and prairies is undoubtedly good. Judging
from the luxurianl growth of grass in sea.
son. The Indisns with their rude imple.
men's Of cultivatng the ground, raise 6ne
crops of corn. although, from their naiur.
al idleness or dista:e for labor, they seldom
grow more than they require for their own
sus,enance. While ou, cunning, strolling
along on Indian trail. alrnos, irod upon II
very large ra,tlesnake, stretched across the
path he commenced making music for me
in high tone, but sienced il by bulle,
through his PATE. Saw a number Of deer,
but could not gc' within shooting distance
Of them. The waller in this neighborhood
has a milky appearance.
A number Of Indians and squaws visited
us 10 day. begging tobacco, bread. &c.
They are on their way TO the Agency, to
traffic. and enca,nped near US. The squaws
initiate the men in riding, BY sitting
aslride the animal.
Monday. April 2.-Cioudy, indicating
rain the road somewhat better. Purchased
some more corn. a, 81 per bushel. Trav-
eled over mountains and strips Of prairie,
The scenery varied and beautiful. Met an
American. 10 company with some Indians;
they hod been out on q hunting excursion.
The American had six hne wild turkeys
suspended from his saddle. lie had lived
with the Indians number Of years, and
adopted their dress and customs he was
an in,elIigen, ,oan. and said that he had
been educated al one Of the bes; literary
institutions in the States, and received his
diploma. What induced him to forsake
fcivilized society and dwell among savages,
he did not inform Us he certainly has a
romantic fancy. The military ahead Of Us
had very impruden,Iy set the prairie on FIRE;
il was rushing towards Us. consuming ev.
erylhing before it; We could no, retreat.
bit. haIiing our teams, some Of Us went
ahead, encountered it at the edge Of The
woods, and after a severe effort, succeeded
in arresting its progr css in one spot. wide
enough for our wagons 10 pass through.
which they did in safety. I, was fearful
sight. and we were lucky in escaping the
devouring flames so easily. We encamped
in the skirt Of a woods. bordering on prai-
rie, where we found small pool Of almost
s,acnan, water. Purchased fowls, sweet
potatoes. and pea nuts, Of some Indians,
" no had followed Us all afternoon for the
the purpose Of trading. The woods and
prairies 90 FIRE all around our camp. Dis
tance. IL miIes-49.
Tuesday, April s.-Afier the wagons
started this morning, rambled through the
woods and shot fine mess Of pigeons and
partridges, and had long tramp before |
again overlook tho company. Met an old
Indian Of whom we purchased some eggs,
o. "chickens," as they call them in broken
English. The Choc,aws are very dark
colorej. A good pony can be purchased Of
them for IS very ,houghtlessly. did not
purchase one. for while wc we're making
such shor, stages, preferred walking. and
cunning occasionally. 10 taking care Of an
extra animal. { had reason. afterwards.
for repenling ,hi. neglisence) The road
to- day was very good. in comparison with
what we have passed over, except crossing
the Ssn. Boy river, stream 10 yards wide,
and pretty deep. The hills here abound
in iron ore. Encamped on Cooper's creek
this evening. The grass is about three or
four inches high. and affords indiferen,
pasture for our stock. Some Of the land.
scape scenery is trueIy fine. being n con.
slant succession Of hills, vallies, woodland.
and orairies, the last Of which are now
clothed 10 green iu,erspersed with innum.
erabIe wild flowers. Of every variety and
hue. Occasionally our table is furnished
with a dish Of "greens" or wild onions.
The old Indian trail, in many places. is not
more than foot wide, by which thousands
pas. yearly on their way % the settlements