New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-04

! have already said thar few buffalo wese seen
west Of Pawnee Fork. After the trSt days
march on the dry route nOt cot these animals
was seen the entire distance 70 New-MeXico.
MAJ. 3, an old campagner on the pralries,
tellsme that the Plains M to the Rocky Noun
tain Range were alive with them in 1885.
Beyond Fort Atkinson our route continuedup
the north bank of the Arkansas River to point
fifteen miles absve ChOuteau's Island, and az
distance of about sixty-eight miles from the
Fort. The crossing of the river here was
matter of no small moment 70 US for it was
feared the high stage Of water might give Us
trouble. But, as | remarked when speaking Of
my first sight of the Arkansas there is scarcely
any stage of water, however high, that good
fords may not be found; the only danger being
that of having your baggage wetted, or, which
seldom occurs, Of the horses falling into quick
sands.
Crossing the Arkansas terminated our ex-
perience in crossing large streams, none Others
Of any size being met from that river to Santa
Fe.
We were now embarked upon a new route Of
eighty-Odd miles, upon which the trace Of Slr.
Aubreys wagons was in many instances scarce
" percsptible. This enterprsing trader had in
his experimental trips, pursued within thespace
of year, some three or four different routes,
and thus many traders DESTROYS of ayaing them
selves Of the advantages of his new route, be-
came entangled among the different traces of
his wheels, which they found, and falling into
difficulties, condemned in no measured terms
the new route. BY good fortune we came into
possession at Fort Atkinson of a description of
the last route followed by Mr.. Aubrey on his
jOUrneytO the States not two months before,
which enabled Us 10 follow his course without
any difficulty. Our only annoyance was in find
ing watering places, described by him, complete
" dry and destitute OF water, by which for
twenty-four hours we suffered greatly.
On the whole, however, we were satisfied that
the new route from near ChOuteaus Island on
the Arkansas River 10 the CimmarrOn River,
seven miles before reaching Cold Spring, is
greatly TO be preferred to the eastern portion of
the Cimmarron route.
The only objects varying the surface of the
country seen on this new trace, worthy Of no
tice, we're two hills to the northwest, called
the Two Buttes." Rising up above the level
of the prairie, with no other elevation in sight,
their appearance isvery peculiar and attractive:
They give the name 10 a creek which we crossed
at about thirty miles from the Arkansas, thus
called Two Butte Creek, though sometimes
called Sand and Bear Creek. In this creek We
found no running water at the place We crossed
its bed water in abundance of an excellent
quality was found by digging in the sand few
inches. and also in pools. Antelope IN great
numbers we're found here, and several dr0yes OF
wild horses At SIGHT of these mustangs was
quite taken by surprise, supposing that none
were found north of the upper limits OF Texas
In the Valley of the Cimmarron, (Which In
stead of being river where We crossed II, Is but
an insignificant stream OF about twenty feet III
width we found succession of long pools OF
dirty looking water, satisfying US that the repu
tation of the water of this stream further TO the
eastward of being offensive and almost poison
GUS is TOO true, and that We had gained greatly
by taking the Aubrey route. Seven miles be-
yOnd our camp on the Cimmarron brought us to
Cold Spring, where in its delightful refreshing
water we made amends Tor all our prlvations OF
the past week. Westward of Cold Spring the
Cimmarron runs through deep canons, or gull
lies, with perpendicular banks, and is impassa-
be.
The region of country near the Cold Spring
is evidently the sloping of, or final absorption of
the rugged spurs of the mountain range into
the flat prairies TO the eastward. After leaving
the Cimmarron our road for about three miles
led us through, or near to, hills rough aud rug
ged in the highest degree and crowned with
augmented dark looking lodges or assemblage
of bouders presenting, with their skirts OF
cedar trees and bushes, very picturesque and
agreeable appearance.
At Is miles from Cold Spring, the road passes
Cedar Spring, or as il is sometimes called,
Simms Spring, two miles further on, and
little distance from the main travelled track,
is another fine Spring, which is now much fire.
queHted for camp grounds. From the neighbor-
ing rising ground at these springs, the Rabbit
Ear hills are visible the first hills which the
the eye meets in approaching the Rocky noun
tain range Why this name should be applied
to them | did not learn The famed Missouri
Current Bush, so welknOwn as an ornamental
shrub in the States, was found in fruit at Cedar
Spring, and in great profIsiOn on Rabbits Ear
Creek Quantities were picked TO add as an
antiscorbutic to our messes, The country be-
tween Cold and Cedar Springs is very destitute
ofgrass, and put Us TO our best efforts, by herd
ing our animals, and allowing them TO range
mile or two of prairie, TO give them enough
10 sustain them; very little wood also is 20 be
found, except what is trimmed from the stumps
OF Cedar and Cottonwood trees.
TWENTY-FIVE miles from Cedar Spring, we
camped on Cottonwood Creek, where We had
better supply OF wood, though stu scalty
There is nothing remarkable in this spot, ex-
eept its nearer proximity TO the Rabbits Ear
hills. The slopes Of the hillOcks and raylnes
We no found skirted with the dark foliaged Ced-
ar trees, and much of the table-land, cliffs
and cTests of ravines we're heavily marked
with those trees. From the Cotton Wood TO
Rabbit Ear Greek is fifteen miles. The South
eTn bank Of this latter Creek is steep and high
and almost black with the outcrop u black
looking ledges and with skirts Of Cedar bushes
Round Mound, 23mles from Cottonwood Creek
is from this creek fully in sight. This is a
solitary hill rising abruptly out from the plains,
and about two or three hundred feet in hight;
tits two peaked and somewhat comical in shape
In this vicinity, other distant hills begin 10
appear TO the northwest and west, afording q
glimpse of mountain scenery not unlike what
saw in Mexico.