JOURNAL OF A TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS, 1851

145 follows a ridge towards Laramie's peak. We traveled the ridge 15 miles and struck the Mormon trails, then fol- lowed the road about five miles over very rough road, down to LeBonty creek [LeBonte], a beautiful stream. June 11. — This morning our course was northeast for about six miles to Marble creek, a small creek. Here is a great abundance of beautiful white marble. The hills around here are very red. For the next five miles the road was very rough. Along here we find a strata of good grindstone grit. We traveled 20 miles today and camped on Mike's Head creek. This evening a man in our company killed two buffalo, which furnished a glor- ious repast for the company. June 12. — This day we traveled 17 miles, over toler- able good road, struck the river five miles below Deer creek, drove to Deer creek and encamped. Here we found good camping on a nice running stream, full of fish, of which we succeeded in catching all we desired, which with our buffalo meat was a great treat. June 13. —This day lay at Deer creek till noon, after- noon traveled nine miles, found good camping on river bank, plenty of good wood, water and grass. June 14. — This day we traveled up to the ferry, 15 miles. Here paid three dollars per wagon and crossed over to the north side of North Platte. June 15. — This day traveled two miles through deep sand. Found good grass. Here we lay till 5 o'clock in the evening, when we again started across a 30-mile desert to Willow Springs, which took us all night this night. I suffered intensely with sick headache. Reached Willow Springs early in the morning. Here found grass. June 16.—We rested at Willow Springs till 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when we again traveled five miles to a beautiful place, where we found plenty of water and extra good grass. June 17.—This morning we left camp at 8 A. M., trav- eled seven miles and came to Greasewood creek, a small stream of clear running water with a greasy looking il %ii tf rf i 'imb [ 'iBI

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