nds of
Faries, Elfs &c. And I think if their habits were thouroughly studied,
that they would be found to possess wonderful powers of instinct.

[June 9--57th day] Came in sight of Laramie Peak,[55] its dark outline
resting against the clouds had a sublime appearance. Passed where they
were diging a grave for a girl 12 years old; how hard it must be to
leave ones children on these desolate plains, but "God will watch over
all their dust till He shall bid it rise." [June 10--58th day] To-day &
yesterday the roads very sandy & in some places hilly, had a small
shower of rain, turned down to the river, nearly 2 miles from the road,
found excellent wood, which had been drifted there by the river in high
water, & likewise fine grass. We are about 5 ms. from Ft. Laramie.[56]
Near by where we nooned to-day, there was 2 dead indians in the top of a
cottonwood tree,[57] this being their manner of disposing of their dead.
They were wraped in well dressed buffalo hides, & then lashed to several
small poles, which were fastened to the limbs of the tree, it was a very
singular sight, they must have been there some time, as I found a part
of an old rusty knife, which had probably been one of the many things
which had been hung on the tree, such as, knife, bow & arrow, & whatever
he might have posessed. [June 11--59th day] We started out in the
morning for town, reached it about 9 o'clock or rather opposite the
place, we halted a little while, one of the company rode over & put some
letters in the P. O. This is quite a place, several fine buildings,
nestled here among the hills it looks like a rose in the wilderness.
There were several indian lodges not far from the road, & plenty of
indians. Taking a last look of the town we departed on our journey.

FOOTNOTES:

[46] Elm Creek, a northern affluent of the Platte River, west of Fort
Kearny, in the present Dawson Co., Neb.

[47] The doctor's name is nowhere revealed. Beth was one of her sons.

[48] Buffalo-chips, the dried dung of the American bison.

[49] The species _Cynomys Ludovicianus_, whose burrow-towns were common
east of the Rocky Mountains.

[50] Buffalo Creek, a northern affluent of the Platte River, in
Nebraska.

[51] Perhaps near Cedar Point, Keith Co., Neb.

[52] Not definitely located, but perhaps in Keith Co., Neb., between the
North Platte and South Platte Rivers.

[53] Courthouse Rock, a huge mass of sand and clay, near Pumpkin Creek,
in Cheyenne County, Ne