The New York herald., 1875-07-01

perches in the cool elder shade. These circun-
stances charmed one into a happy lazlness. But
repose unoroken Is not given unto mortal SO,
although we might Lave dreamed away existence
the very border ofour FL Dorado, stern duty and
grim necessity forbade. Several small parties made
EXCURSIONS INTO THE HILLS,
and learned something OF their general lorna
tion. The situation Of the camp already de-
scrbed in a former letter, Is at the point where
the East Beaver escapes from the Hills into the
Plains. The valley extending northward was
partially examined by Mr. Jenney on June 5, who,
with an escort. went up the course OF the stream
about twenty miles and returned with no results
or importance. l accompanied small party the
next DAY part OF the way 70 Aarneys Peak.
Their object was 10 obtain glimpse OF
that celebrated LANDMARK ana examine
the quartz in Its vicinity. California Joe"
was the guide Our course was very rough.
mounting 1rst TO the summit OF the range form
ing the southwestern rim or the Black Hllls. We
climbed ridge OF red sandstone, forming an
abutment OF a mountain about ], 200 feet above
the stream and passing along the edge OF can
yon which We crossed. Carefully leading our
horses down ana up Its preclpItous
sides we reached the top, breathing hard.
We obtained views OF valley southeast
or the camp, spreading out into small plain, but
broken by ravnes and canyons. From the top
most point we saw the great expanse OF the
Plains its surface rolling and varied In color, as
II It were the ocean agitated by gale. In tne
west and south the horizon melted away into the
deep blue sky. Tne course OF the South Fork OF
the Big Cheyenne, forty miles away, was dis
tinctly marked by q thick line OF cottonwood
timber. stretching across the plain from west to
east. Near 1t wnIte cloud OF dust, which
we conjectured TO be caused by the supply train
that lett the camp on Saturday for Fort Laramie,
guarded by two companies OF Infantry and small
detail OF cavalry men. The mountain stretched
toward the east. and was very smoothly covered
with green turf, notified by a thousand flowers,
principally the wild phlox. OF which there are many
varieties in this latitude. We rode through de-
hghtful groves OF pine. the surface gradually de-
Ginning toward the east and afterward gently rising
10 form another mountain which has Two
knobs. On the higher OF these Is the first statIon
OF observation established by the survey, and is
designated as "a" The elevation OF the point
IS GAO feet above the level OF the creek and GAO
ieet above the The prospect which IL al
forded was grand. The camp looked very dlmn-
utive IN the little vale below. The tents seemed
like while chalk spots On green billiard board.
Eastward lay mass OF irregular hills, mantled
by dense, black timber, and forming an immense
division, broken by canyons, between tue western
and eastern streams OF the interior region or the
Black Hills lofty blue range or broken ridge
east OF us terminated the landscape On that side
OIL our elevation. Turning the heads OF our horses
nCrthWard we rode SLOWLY through successive
GROVES AND GLADES,
silent at our coming but for the rustlng OF the
ridge for two miles. In the open spaces among
the trees the golden eye OF tue srnnower shown
amid the tail grass, ever following with Its gaze
Its regal godfather TINY white stellar-shaped
blossoms, on slender stalks loot high, adorn the
1ts hest glades: Tne approrrlate name given 10
species or astragalus, not met on the Plains, was
there In multitudes It's color Is beautiful red.
descenoed a steep declivity. and Ieund ourselves
Ia deep ravine at the base oi the mountains ana
on the eastern side or valley OF the East
Beaver. BY climbing the PERCEPTIONS and ragged
edge OF mesa, 100 feet above the bottom OF the
ravine, we escaped from the mountains and
aoont four O'clock; Sls,a roek s o. come .ne
posed principally oI red, brown and wuite saua-
stone, lime and gypsum. The two latter Numerals
tlncture the water oftne East Beaver perceflDy.
Stunted elms grow the mountain sides, so d.
minutive, however, as scarcely TO be recogaiza-
oe allied TO tner stately relatives. In the val:
leys aud along the ledges OF hills currant and
gooseberrY Dusnes abound, and undoubtedly Bear
plenlifuly later In the summer, as they are nowin
full bloom
Camp No. II was in few days well fortified
place. WOODEN redouots were constructed on
the prominent hills, aud the Gatng gun ana
mountain howltzer were mounted IN them, conA
manding The outlets from the Hills and the neigh
uorlng plain. on the I'm oil June there was found
about seven miles north OF the camp tue tran or
ABOUT a dozen Indians, going northward, who
mad crossed the stream 50 recently taat the water
was still muddy where 1t had been disturbed by
the hoois OF their ponies.
Camp No. IL became in a lew days very sedate,
and there was an air about II as II It's existence
one OF perpetual lazy calm. Life IN camp Is
not 40 luxurlUus as II would be In the brown
palaces Of New YORK; but, when undisturoed by
frequent marching Is productive OF q most ther-
ougn enjoyment OF existence. The malA camp
Yves upon low plateau. Tne officers formed
little hamlet by themselves, under tue shade OF
box elder trees, on the green bottom. Eaca tndl-
vIdual lelt himself lord OF his canvas castle Tne
0fG rIf
charming regularity. Breakfast was at hal-past
seven, lunch at one and dinner at SIX. And what
was there TO desires cold bath IN the brook in
tue early morning sent delicious sensation OF
animal happiness through every vein and nerve,
reLire nIgnt before the camp IRE smoldered In
III asnes. Around It's generous blaze that social
intercourse TOOK Llace which only occurs among
men IN the wllds oil nature or near the neld or
battle. Lieutenant Morton returned or tue Stn
INST. He and mis- companions looked somewhat
haRgard after sieeping two nights ~itnout shelter
ana 50 supsistlng on haro tack. Their narrative was
EXPLORING THE BILLS.
They proceeded to a point WITHIN ten miles
OF Garney's Peak; lound General Clusters trail
and followed 1t Tor snort distance, winding
down among the hills, and descending steep
ridges INTO deep ravines. Their route from tue
west toward the was very rough. the cen
tral regions OF tue Hills being rocky and bro
ken aud intersected with canyons nearly thou
sand feet deep. From the eastern bases OF the
central ridges they saw the most beautiful parks,
plenty OF timber and nne streams. Rlvulets
came out or the mountains, along which they
rolled In large numDers- moving eastward tnrou2n
delightful wales, nesting grandly among high
clrs bills and masses OF forest, and with very
cool waters. Hugh mountains appeared In the
east In the form OF q cham, PROBABLY the Elk
head Range.
Alter climbing q good elevation q large mcun-
tain rose before them, It's top composed OF single
gigantic granite craR, directly south OF their po-
sition ana east OF Camp No. IL. This they sup
posed to be Harney's PEAK. Through this region
quartz was plentiful. Tney met a fresn trall or
aoout fIty Indians, along which several lresny
cut lodge poles were strewn Having natural
affection for life, they changed their course. On
Monday night tney slept where there was
WAFER, but reached tue camp In the anernoon.
Tne beatltudes oI Camp No. IL were resigned on
Tuesday. June 8, with regret. Colonel Dodge,
with three companies Of the cavalry. accompanied
by Mr.. W. z. Jenney and MS assistants, started
upon advance expedition 10 Harney's
PEAK. On the same morning 'Calliornia
Joe" with eight brother spirits lett the
camp very quietly, although with the knowledge
or ne comInaGding otilcer. to ride across the
mountains into the heart OF tue gold region.
some OF the hunters OF this detachment nave
since crossed tnelr trail near Harney's Peak.
There Is no doubt that they are engaged In pros