b. There is a good description of it in Delano's
_Life on the Plains_ (1854), p. 69-70.

[54] Chimney Rock, near the western boundary of Cheyenne County, Neb.
Its height, in 1832, as given by Captain Bonneville, was 175
yards.--Irving's _The Rocky Mountains_. Phila., 1837, vol. 1, p. 45. It
has become greatly reduced in height by erosion.--Chittenden's _Hist. of
American Fur Trade_, vol. 1, p. 467. For a description and view in 1842,
see Fremont's _Report_. Washington, 1845, p. 38.

[55] Laramie Peak, the highest point of the Laramie Mountains of
Wyoming, altitude 9020 feet.

[56] Fort Laramie, at the confluence of the North Platte and Laramie
Rivers, Wyoming, was named after Joseph Larame (or La Ramie), a trapper
who lost his life here in 1821. Near by was an earlier station of the
American Fur Company, known successively as Fort William and Fort John.
A near view, as seen in 1842 by Fremont, is in his _Report_. Washington,
1845, opp. p. 40. The federal government bought out the trading company
in 1849 and Fort Laramie became a military station; a birdseye view of
the latter year is in H. H. Bancroft's _Works_, vol. 25, p. 690. For a
full history of the fort, see Coutant's _Hist. of Wyoming_, vol. 1, p.
296-329.

[57] One of the many mortuary customs of the Indians, known as
tree-burial.

CHAPTER V

FROM FT. LARAMIE TO THE SOUTH PASS

We now turned to the right, & commenced ascending the black hills,[58]
the scenery is wild & magnifficent, the contrast was delightful, we
encamped in a most romantic spot, where not far distant a fine spring of
cold water rushed out of the mountain; this was refreshing, and our
cattle climed [_sic_] the hills to feed upon the rich seeded grasses
which grow in bunches on their sides. The ground is covered with the
richest profusion, & variety of flowers, but all were strange to me,
except the wild rose which was the only one which was sweet sented.
[June 12--60th day] The roads here are smooth & excellent, but hilly, &
in some places very steep, it is so hard that it is bad on the cattles
feet, & waggons. Passed where they were diging a grave for a woman, who
had died that morning, leaving a husband & 2 small children. She rests
in a lovely spot, in sight, & opposite Laramie Peak, & surrounded with
hills. Came to a good spring of water, & encamped quite early. Two of
our men went out hunting, & succeeded in killing an antelope, & a
mountain hare; we soon took their jacket