The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-09-09
HORTHKRH PACIFIC RAlLR
PLORATIOH. =
By acarletoa.,
EonruwEsrEns MIN, July Is.

&s5 NoHrHwEsTsns MIN, July Is.
Corresponding Of The Bo.ton Journal.
/ can give no specific locality in the
date Of this letter, for We arc on the
march through region beyond towns
villages or farm houses. S.:t:.: <'. !.
os THE BUFFALO.
NV last letter was dated at Dakota
City, in the Territory Of Dakota, where
tho party diyided-one portion going
west to the Missouri, and the other
turning east toward Superior.
Bidding our friends farewell, We of
the eastern party strike out from the
Red River, over the level prairie, keep
ing in sight the green fringe of timber
growing on the banks Of the Buffalo,
an afiucnk Of the Red River, having
its rise among the small lakes, and
ponds on the divide between the Bed
isiYer and the Upper Mississippi.
We follow no trail. The prairie is
patl.css, and az times We lose sight Of
the distant tree tops aud are without
landmark to guide US o er the vast se,
OF yerdure. Like the navigator in mid
ocean, we rely upon tie compass. A
icy |',,.t miles sa and we discern through the
gl'nm cring haze the faint outline of
blue l''e".: islands ls Distance gives them
b ls''s ..,- Approaching them. they
change to richest green, and We find
that they are groves growing sloDg the
Buffalo. ,.gaa.:51g, = :.
THE LEAF Hills.
Far away to the cast are the Leaf
Hills, which are only the elevations of
the rolling prairie tia: ferns the d.
vide between the waters flowing into
the Gulf of Mexico and into Hudson's
Bay.
wishing to see the hills, to ascertain
what obstacles there are to the con-
s'ruction Of a railroad, two Of US break
away from the main party and strike
out over the plains, promising to be io-
to the camp at nightfall. How exb;l
Grating to gallop oyer the pa.hless ex.
panse' amid a sea of flowers, plunging
now and d then through grass so high
that horse and rider are almost sub
merged. The meade. lark greets us
with bis cheerful song; the :plover
moves around Us with quiversnz winds:
sand nil cranes ,' flying always in. pairs,
rise from the ground and wing their
way beyond the reach of harm. The
gopher chattcrs ike child amid the
flowers. We ride over their subter.
ranean toTns-the only towns as vet
existing between the Red River and
the Mississippi, along the line which
We are travelling. .s.--.s
The birds and gophsrs are il peace
fui possession Of the solitude. Five
years ago buffalo we're roaming here
We see their bones bleaching in the
sun: Here the sioax and Chippewas
hunted them down: Here the old
bulls fought out their battles, and
the countless herds crossed the succu- :
lent grasses aud drank the clear rnn-
ming water Of the stream which bears
their name. They are gone forever.
The OK. and coy le,=een;;ng to take
their place. Sheep and horses will
soon fastan on the rich pastura:se Of
these kills. We Of the East would
hardly call theim1 hiins, much less noun
ta1ns, tie slopes are 50 gentle and the
attitudes 50 low: TIE highest grade of
d 'ai'roac would not exceed thirty feet
to the mile in crossing them. ss5-:sa :. -
here we ind granite and limestone
ooulders, and in some places beds Ct
gravei-brought, SO the biologists iu-
form us-!ron, the far North and de-
posted here when the priinegal ocean
currents set southward owe this then
submerged region. They are in the
right place for the railroad. Tie stone
will be needed for, abu ments to bridges,
aud the gravelswill be wanted for bal
list; provided the read is located in
this vicinity. j. 3s4as559 y e IL,