ne 20--68th day] We passed on over a
sandy barren country, where even sage cannot grow, but a still hardier
shrub called greese wood[63] abounds here, it is good for nothing to
burn, & I cannot think of any use it is, unless, for the rabbits to hide
behind. Quite warm, cool breeze from the mountains; we crossed
greesewood creek,[64] went down some 2 ms, & encamped, not very good
grass, I have been told that it is better 5 or 6 miles farther down,
where it empties into Sweet water.[65]

[June 21--69th day] We saw several antelope, 2 of our men went in
persuit, killed a young one; came across a human skeleton, brought the
skull bone to the waggon, I think it was an indians skull. We soon came
in sight of Independence Rock,[66] it did not look at all like I had
formed an idea, & at a distance, it has no very imposing appearance; but
as we approached it, its magnitude was then striking, & beautiful, it is
an enormous mass of solid blocks of granite, it is so large that its
highth seems inconsiderable, until you climb upon it, which you can
easily do, at least I did, but when I reached the low place in the
middle, I took off my shoes, for in passing around the side to go up to
the top, there is some danger of sliping, which would presipitate you to
the bottom. There are thousands of names of persons upon this rock,
which have been placed there from year to year, by those who think,
"there is something in a name" & many beautiful flowers growing in the
crevices I have one which I gathered here near the top of the rock it is
a kind of Lilly a beautiful flower. We nooned here, & then went on
crossed sweet water,[67] which I had supposed from its name to be the
best water in the world, but it has more alkali in it, than the Platte,
it is not so muddy, but the water is nearly the same here, Some 6 or 8
miles onward, we came to what is called the Devils Gate,[68] it is a
deep chasam, or gap in the mountain, which has been rent assunder for
the passage of Sweet Water river, the opening is not wide, but the rocks
on each side are perpendicular, & of great highth some 400 ft., the road
passes a little to the right, where there is a nataral pass through the
mountain, but we could hear the river roaring, & chafing, through its
narrow rocky channel; a person who has curiosity, & nerve enough, may
climb & look over the brink of this yawning gulf. Some of our men went
up part way, but said that satisfied their curiosity. We passed here a