The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-09-09
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAlLR DADS
- PLORATION.
By ssCarleton."
NoRIuwEsTERs MIss., July 25,

a<S5 - By fsCarleton.'
Non1uwEsrEns Mlss., July 25.
cerre*po"dssse Of tie Boston journal.
l can give no specific locality in the
date of this letter, for We are on the
march through region beyond towns
Villages Or farm houses.
oS TIE BUFFALO.
DIV last letter was dated at Dakota
City, in the Territory Of Dakota, where
the 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
grosiog On the banks Of the Buffalo,
an afiuent Of the Red River, having
lis rise among the small lakes, and
ponds on the divide between the Red
River and the Upper Mississippi.
We follow no trail. The prairie is
path.ess, ana at times We lose sight Of
the distant tree tops aad are without
landmark to guide us er the vast sea
OF 'srdare. Like the navigator in mid
ocean, we rely upon tie compass. A
few miles and We discern through the
g4nmering haze the faint outline of
blue islands. Distance gives them
blaencss. Approaching them they
change to richest green, and We find
that they are groves growing aIoDg the
Buffalo.
TEE LEAF HILLS.
Ear away to the cast are the Leaf
Hills, which are only the elevation. of
the rolling prairie tha: forms the d.
vide between the waters flowing into
the Gulf of Mexico and into Huason's
Bay.
Wishing to see the hills, to ascertain
what obstacles there are 10 the con-
structlon OF railroad, two Of US break
away IRON the main party and strike
out over the plains, promising to be io-
to the camp at nightGall. How exhjl-
Grating to gallop over the pa,hless ex-
panse, amid sea of flowers, pIunging
10" aud then through grass so high
hat horse and rider are almost sub
merged The meadow lark greets US
With his cheerful song; the plover
move $ around Us with quiver,n, winds:
'aod hill cranes, flying always in pairs,
''se from the ground and wing their
way beyond tie reach of harm. The
gopher chattcrs like child amid tho
lowers. We ride over their subter.
Fanean to*ns-the only towns as vet
existing between the Red River and
The Mississippi, along the line which
Te are travelling.
The birds and gophers are in peace
Ful possession Of the solitude. Five
years ago buffalo were roaming here.
We see their bones bleaching in the
!, SUM- Here the sionz and Chippewas
honted them down. Here the old
bulls fought out their battles, and
The countless herds crossed the succu-
lent grasses and drank the clear rnn-
nios water of the stream which bears
In their name. They are gone forever
The OK and COW are~eo,ni1s to take
their place. Sheep AMI horses will
soon iatton on the rich pastu1ase Of
these hills: We Of the East would
hardly call them bills, much less noun
'a'ns, TIE slopes are so gentle and the
attitudes 50 low: The highest grade of
4 railroad would not exceed thirty feet
to the mile in crossing them.
here We find granite and limestone
ooulders, and in some places beds Ct
sravel-brousht, so the gcologists iu-
form us-'ron, the far North and de-
posted here when the primeval ocean
set sou,hwavd owe this then
submerged region. They are in the
right place for the railroad. TIE stone
will be needed for abu mcnts to br;dees.
aud the gravel will be wanted for BAL
list; provided the road is located in
this vicinity. 81.