A Buffalo's Head And Other Trophies Of The Chase
Were Disposed About The Wigwam.
The valley, as the explorers
descended the river, was very picturesque and wonderful.
On the north side the cliffs
Were wild and romantic, and these
were soon succeeded by rugged hills, and these, in turn, by open
plains on which were descried herds of buffalo, elk, and wolves.
On the twenty-seventh of July, having reached the Bighorn,
one of the largest tributaries of the Yellowstone, the party
have this entry in their journal: -
"They again set out very early, and on leaving the Bighorn took
a last look at the Rocky Mountains, which had been constantly
in view from the first of May. The [Yellowstone] river now
widens to the extent of from four hundred to six hundred yards;
it is much divided by islands and sandbars; its banks are
generally low and falling in; it thus resembles the Missouri
in many particulars, but its islands are more numerous,
its waters less muddy, and the current is more rapid.
The water is of a yellowish-white, and the round stones,
which form the bars above the Bighorn, have given place to gravel.
On the left side the river runs under cliffs of light,
soft, gritty stone, varying in height from seventy to one
hundred feet, behind which are level and extensive plains.
On the right side of the river are low extensive bottoms,
bordered with cottonwood, various species of willow,
rose-bushes, grapevines, redberry or buffalo-grease bushes,
and a species of sumach; to these succeed high grounds
supplied with pine, and still further on are level plains.
Throughout the country are vast quantities of buffalo, which,
as this is the running-season, keep up a continued bellowing.
Large herds of elk also are lying on every point, so gentle that they
may be approached within twenty paces without being alarmed.
Several beaver were seen in the course of the day; indeed, there is
a greater appearance of those animals than there was above
the Bighorn.
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