JOURNAL OF A TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS, 1851

139 May 3.— We traveled a short distance to a small creek, where we laid up for the day waiting for a part of the company that was left at St. Joseph. May 4. —We traveled 16 miles this day over very hilly road. Locked one wheel three times today. May 6—This day we left camp at 8 o'clock and trav- eled 12 miles, camped where we found but little wood and poor water. The day has been very windy and, being dry, we are very dirty. May 7.—This day we gathered up and started. After traveling five or six miles it commenced blowing and rain- ing very hard. We all got very wet. We had traveled about 20 miles today and came to Big Blue river, which we found low enough to wade, which we did not mind at all, being already wet as rain could make us. After cross- ing, we got a seine from another company and went fish- ing. Good camping and lots of fish, good grass and plenty of wood. May 8. — This morning some of our women washed. We gathered up after noon and traveled ten miles and camped on an open prairie, where we had no wood and but little grass. May 9. — This morning we yoked up our teams and just as we got ready to start, there came up a storm of wind and rain which lasted till 10 o'clock, after which we gath- ered up and started. We traveled 17 miles this day and encamped on an open prairie, where we had neither wood nor water, only what we carried with us. May 10.— We left camp early this morning, traveled 16 miles over ridges to a stream known here as Big Sandy, where we lay until noon on the 12th, during which time our population increased two in number by natural law. May 12. — This day we started early, traveled 18 miles and encamped on a wide stream, known here as Little Sandy; no running water but very fine grass. May 13. — This day, after traveling about eight miles over a dry, sandy country, we came to Little Blue river. After continuing up the stream about 10 miles, we camped m