strength, and lightly taps it upon the log. But this is a painful operation, he relinquishes it, and resumes his former grotesque movements.
Watching this curious performance, the trapper could scarcely retain his gravity, or master his fondness for the ludicrous sufficiently for the intended shot. He did, however, and the comedy was suddenly transformed to a tragedy, by leaving its actor struggling in death.
A light fall of snow during the last of our stay at Deer creek, rendered the ground quite muddy and soft; notwithstanding which we resumed our course early in the morning of the fourth day.
Continuing on, a ride of thirty miles brought us to the place where the Oregon trail crosses the Platte; and, after fording the river, we encamped upon the opposite side.
The stream, at this point, is about three hundred yards from bank to bank, and, at the time of our crossing it, swimming deep for a small portion of the way.
In ordinary stages, the water is but little over three feet deep, and the ford perfectly safe and practicable. The partial melting of the mountain snows had increased the size and velocity of its current, and rendered our passage slightly dangerous and difficult. The bed appeared to be rocky, and in some places rough, —requiring much caution in crossing waggons, to prevent them from overturning.
On the third day following, we arrived at another remarkable cañon, after travelling a distance of thirty-five or forty miles. Here, finding large numbers of mountain sheep, we were induced to remain a short time.
Our course for most of this distance was confined to the valley of the Platte, on account of the greater supply of wood found upon its banks.
Towards noon of the first day, we passed a point, called the "Red Buttes," at which the river cuts its way through a lofty ridge of hills. This passage left a considerable bank upon both sides, shut in by abrupt walls of red argillaceous sandstone, towering to the height of several hundred feet.
The soil was generally a mixture of clay and sand, and, in some places, afforded a reddish loam which appeared to be very rich.
A short ride from the "Red Buttes" took us across a beautiful stream, with a broad bottom, well timbered with cottonwood.
Large herds of buffalo were continually in sight upon the whole route.
Several miles previous to reaching the cañon, my notice was first attracted to the extraordinary size attained by the wild sage; it having merged its shrub-like appearance into that of trees varying from five to ten feet in height and from twenty to twenty-five inches in circumference at the root.
The magnificent dimensions of this herb are retained for a large extent of territory to the south and west of this vicinity. It is frequently made use of for fire-wood, and the prairies, in many places, are covered with beautiful groves of it, —perfuming the atmosphere and revelling in perennial verdure.
The cañon before referred to, is caused by the river passing through a chain of hills, for a reach of nearly half a mile.
