The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-08-22
The order of abandonment was ohored br al

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Inc second day our course was past Junctic
g City-the above mentioned whisky town havir
r a Mayor and three dozen houses, and claimin
abroad eight hundred inhabitants and I'D th
Kansas to its head waters formed BY the Jun
ton of Smoky Hill and Solomons Forks. Gro
d sing Solomon's Fork on a crazy ferry boat Oh
ded by still crazier ferryman, we camped upo
. its west bank.
From the Republican to Solomons Fork. th
Kansas is immensely crooked. II twists abou
amazingly, running back ward as often as forward
, and apparently without the remotest cause-it
course being through level bottom areas. half
township or so in extent for most of that distance
These meadow lands invariably have deep blacl
soil Of the richest description
How do We camp? Two Dutchmen with thei
two "fraus" bestow themselves in our WAGON
captain, wife, and old Mr.. g. in the tent. jim
and badger in the other wagon, hooser and van
kee spread buffalo robe upon the ground and
stretch themselves upon it, wrapped in their
blankets. So We sleep.
We use alog when il is to be found for table,
and SIT around al a Turk, with our tin plates
upon our knees, and our tin cups filed with
| strong coffee upon the grass beside Us. Mrs. y
sits near upon an inverted "ieed box" aud dis.
penses cakes and mOla.ses with a liberal hand
and only regrets tina, her larder had not been
more variously supplied. Our good Capt. gives
us fragments of his buffalo experiences, the rest
keeping time with jokes and stories. So we eat.
Yesterday we came ten miles up the Smoky
Hill to the junction of the Saline, and up the
Saline thirty miles to our present camp.
Upon leaving the Smoky Hill We also left the
last trail and the last scamp fire of civilization"
guiding our horses across the hitherto untrod
prairie. But the prairie is so smooth We found
no trouble in trotting along at a good pace
The greatest difficulty is in crossing ravnes and
creeks, but We are not obliged to 20 far before
finding an approach where the banks have been
sufficiently worn away by herds Of passing bufia-
10 to allow us an easy passage.
Early in the day we came to the "buf1alo
range" but saw no buffalo until near night. Il
seems they come from their winter quarters in
the southwest, working north and east. as the
grass is eaten off and fed becomes scarce Hence.
early in the spring hunters are obliged to 60
much farther to find them than later in the
season.
1t was while rounding bluff that neared the
river, we saw the first buffalo quietly feeding
upon hillside beyond. Soon the point was
passed and we came in sight Of the whole herd
jim, hoosier, badger, and yankee, occupants
of first wagon, and all "green uns," could not
suppress a hearty cheer. Capt \. went on
ahead to get shot at them, and hoOsier and van
kee followed in his rear at safe distance.
Three bulls were killed with little trouble save
crawling up ravnes to get near the herd without
being seen-two by the captain and one bv
hoosier.
Cutting meat enough for fly or two from the
ham of the youngest and tenderest we drove
on in search of a suitable place to camp over the
morrOw-Sunday.
| We passed alongside the herd several miles
they keeping long shot distance upon the side
of the bluffs, and all in plain sight. We estima-
ted this herd to number two thousand or more
all old bulls.
| The water of Grand Saline is yellow, and so
salt as to be quite unpalpatable. Fortunately we
found good spring upon its north bank and so
were soon enabled TO select our Sunday canning
ground.
| Passed through an extensive prairie dog town
and very much astonished the inhabitants thereof.
These animals are somewhat larger than the
striped gopher but considerably smaller than the
| gray squirrel-haye smooth handsome heads
and bark ike small dog. 1t was very enter
| tanning TO watch their operations. Upon the
near approach OF an enemy, each one will scam
per home-neyer presuming to stop at neigh
bOrs, or any place but his own house. Once
safely there, he stands moment or two upon
his hind quarters, as strai ght and still as stick
to satisfy himself that there is danger upon the
breeze, and then dives into his hole
Now and then one, at a safe distance from
danger, sticks his head out and barks noisly, but
quickly lodges back upon any movement being
made towards familiarity. Small owls live with
| them, sharing their hospitality, and, curious TO
relate, bark like the dogs. | have been puzzled
many times to discover which was holding forth.
1t is next to impossible to catch a prairie dog
Even if MORALLY wounded they will contrive TO
die in their holes and as these all connect under
ground, it is equally difficult to dig them out.
We also rode through one of our venerated
uncle's onion patches of ten thousand. or 40.
acres in extent. The onions are small, but
otherwise like the article cultivated in gardens.
and bear not the remotest resemblance to leeks
Stalk long and tapering and flowers upon slen.
der umbellatc pedicels. They grow as if sown
broadcast and take root several inches below the
surface.
Not having any engagement out for the eve
ming tasted several of the roots land found them
equal in flavor to any l had ever eaten
think our Sunday camp would nicely fill 2
corner in Rosa B's proposed buffalo picture. A
level space surrounded by scattered trees and
clumps of bushes upon which stand our white
covered wagons. just back Of them is the little
tent, and farther, the brisk fire by the side of an
old log over which the ladies are cooking dinner
Still further rearward runs the Saline, skirted bv
heavy growth of timber. In front is shallow
pool of water hundred rods long and half
stones throw across, and level meadow stretch
ing away two or three miles TO the hills, and the
herds of buffalo feeding upon them. Now and
then company of bulls return up the pool to
Stake their thirst, and our badger friend, claim.
ing to be a seventh day saint, laid in wait and
brought one down with his Sharp's rifle. He
crows Justify over his achievement, but the rest
of US think it is a chance shot and tell him so.
which he takes in high dudgeon of course.
More anon. QUEO.
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