Tuesday, July 4.
We made corral at eleven A.M., the captain announcing, “That we will
stay four hours.” I do not know if we stopped so soon, because it is
the Fourth, or because it is so intensely warm, and the sun beams so
hot, or because it was such a delightful camping-place. Whatever the
cause, there we rested beneath the shade of large cottonwood trees, and
it was so pleasant.
We had dinner at two. Our bill-of-fare--oyster soup, roast antelope
with oyster-dressing, cold beans warmed over, dried fruit sauce, and
our last cake and custard for dessert. We used the last of our eggs,
which were packed in salt; it is surprising how nicely they have kept.
I believe they would have kept another month. We had a very enjoyable
feast, with an abundance of lemonade without ice. The boys put up a
large swing on two large cottonwood trees; two could swing at once,
with lots of strong arms to send us away up high. We began to file into
the road at three P.M. Our fun was all too short. Dr. Fletcher rode
with Neelie, and Milt Walker with me.
* * * * *
Wednesday, July 5.
Here is where we would have crossed the South Platte--if we had not
forded it at the east end of Fremont’s Orchard--on Lathan’s Ferry. If
all those wagons had crossed on the ferry it would have been a big pile
of money for the ferrymen, for they charge one dollar a team.
We passed a squalid-looking Indian village to-day; it was just teepees
and huts. Oh, dear, but they do look so uncomfortable. We are at the
mouth of the Cache la Poudre--where somebody cachéd their powder. The
water is so very clear and cold; it seems so nice after the muddy
Platte. As there are no stations on the north side of the river, there
are no wells. The Cache la Poudre is supplied by springs that flow from
the snow-capped mountains that seem to be right over there.
* * * * *
Thursday, July 6.
As we were passing another Indian town I peeped into two or three
of their dwelling-places. They are desolate-looking homes; no
sleeping-places, no tables, chairs nor any furniture, just some rolls
of blankets and buffalo robes, some camp-kettles, and that was all.
There were squaws and pappooses innumerable squatted around on the
outside of their teepees, the squaws making moccasins, or decorating
them with beads. When we said “How,” they grinned and held up two
fingers, indicating they wanted two dollars for a pair. We did not
purchase.