Our Refuge and Strength

FROM NAUVOO TO SALT LAKE. 1101 At a distance of two or three miles they greatly resemble the ruins of ancient towers and castles and pleasure grounds of noble- men. We called the place Ancient Bluffs Ruins. From the top of one of these detached peaks one of our young men obtained from its nest a young eagle. On top of another, Orson Pratt dis- covered a small pool of water in the basin of a rock about two hundred feet above the level of the river. Quite an extensive cave was also discovered on one of these dry creeks, but we had not time to explore it. These hills are favorite resorts of rattle- snakes, and visitors will do well to beware of them. Brother Fair- banks was bitte*n upon the leg with one today, and is quite sick and under medical treatment. 24th. Last night about sunset, the wind shifted suddenly and blew in cold from the north and brought up a heavy storm of wind, rain and some hail. It was a cold night and this morning it snowed a little. We traveled in the forenoon ten miles. At noon two Sioux visited us. We fed them and they passed on, making signs to us that there was a camp of them not far off. They soon crossed the river above us and we moved on six and one- half miles in the afternoon and formed our circle at six o'clock p. m. While camping, we observed a party of about thirty Sioux riding up on the south side of the river. They halted opposite us and hoisted a flag of peace, and by various maneuvers we under- stood that they wished to visit our camp. The president directed a flag to be hoisted in return to let them know that they would be welcome. As soon as they saw our flag they began to cross the river towards us. We took the precaution to stake down our horses and admitted at first only the chief to our camp, but after- ward the whole of them. They had their squaws with them and camped about half a mile from us, and visited us again in the morning. They were all dressed in their richest costumes. Some had fur caps and cloth coats, and others had cloth pants and shirts, and the rest were neatly dressed in skins ornamented with beads, feathers, paint, etc., and they were by all odds the cleanest and best appearing Indians we have seen west of the Missouri river. Some of the brethren traded horses with them and bought some peltry, moccasins and other trinkets, and they crossed the river apparently in high glee, and we pursued our journey. Traveled next day

1102 IMPROVEMENT ERA. twelve miles. Had much soft road and camped a little east and north from Chimney Rock, about three miles distant from it. We have traveled thirty- six miles since we first discovered it, which we then thought to be only twenty miles. This is not the first instance in which we have been deceived in measuring distances with the eye. We are able to distinguish objects much more clearly and at much greater distances than we could in the east, on account of the atmosphere, which may account for our being deceived in the distance. President Pratt reports from an observation taken today at noon that we were in latitude N. 41°— 42'— 46", baro- metrical height above the level of the sea 3,371 feet, and the average rise per mile since we passed the junction of the rivers has been 5 feet and 6 and 9-10 inches. 26th. Today has been very warm and we have traveled only twelve and one-half miles. We have very good roads and find bet- ter feed tonight than we have had for some days past. Windy and showery tonight. 27th. Pleasant weather, good traveling, tolerable feed. The teams are yet feeble, though not failing at present. We have plenty of fresh meat, chiefly antelope. Have traveled today about thirteen and three-fourth miles, passed what is called Scott's Bluff on the other side of the river, which presents a very romantic appearance. One object standing alone which seems to attract par- ticular attention is a tower of about one hundred and fifty feet high in three distinct sections, having the appearance of very hard clay with a petrified dome. Its appearance is so artificial at first that the mind is scarcely willing to believe that the rude hand of nature has so formed it. The tops and sides of this cragged and impos- ing tower are sparsely mottled with small shrubbery, but whether pine or cedar I was unable to distinguish. Most of the ground we have passed over today presents a very barren appearance, prickly- pear being the chief herbage. Here and there a sag in the bottom or a wet swail covered with green grass, supply our teams. Wind in the north and a shower of rain tonight. While I write I hear the sound of music and dancing on the other side of the circle. This is a very common recreation in camp, though we have to dis- pense with the ladies, a very great desideratum. (to be continued.)