We leave camp at 12 o’clock and travel 18 miles. We passed a Catholic mission erected for the purpose of Christianizing the Indian tribes and converting them to the Catholic religion. Indian settlements are quite numerous here. Rattlesnakes are seen in large numbers.
We camped in the evening, after which a very violent shower came up.
The wind blew so violently that all of our tents were leveled to the earth over our heads, which was not very agreeable. However, we are compelled to make the best of all such misfortunes, and are becoming more accustomed to the endurance of hardships than at first. (Distance, 18 miles.)
Thursday, June 7.
We start at 9 o’clock this morning and after traveling four miles, cross the Little Vermillion River.
We halt for dinner at 10 o’clock, and camp at 6 o’clock. The country through which we are traveling is very beautiful, it being a high, rolling prairie covered with a fine growth of grass, and watered by numerous cool springs of good water, with some small streams. (Distance, 16 miles.)
Friday, June 8.
Strike camp at 8 o’clock, travel until noon, when we unpack our mules and remain until 2 o’clock. Camp at 6 in the evening.
The road is dry and hard and almost as good as a turnpike.
The ox-teams make as good time as our mule train. (Distance traveled, 20 miles.)