verdure it is possible to behold. I gazed at them in astonishment. It
seemed incredible that nature, abandoned to herself, should preserve
herself so beautifully clean and pure, and I involuntarily looked around
me for some trace of the hand of man. But none was there. I saw nothing
but herds of deer, that gazed wonderingly at me with their large clear
eyes, and when I approached too near, galloped off in alarm. What would I
not have given for an ounce of lead, a charge of powder, and a Kentucky
rifle? Nevertheless, the mere sight of the beasts gladdened me, and raised
my spirits. They were a sort of society. Something of the same feeling
seemed to be imparted to my horse, who bounded under me, and neighed
merrily as he cantered along in the fresh spring morning.

I was now skirting the side of an island of trees of greater extent than
most of those I had hitherto seen. On reaching the end of it, I suddenly
came in sight of an object presenting so extraordinary an appearance as
far to surpass any of the natural wonders I had as yet beheld, either in
Texas or the United States.

At the distance of about two miles rose a colossal mass, in shape somewhat
like a monumental mound or tumulus, and apparently of the brightest silver.
As I came in view of it, the sun was just covered by a passing cloud, from
the lower edge of which the bright rays shot down obliquely upon this
extraordinary phenomenon, lighting it up in the most brilliant manner. At
one moment it looked like a huge silver cone; then took the appearance of
an illuminated castle with pinnacles and towers, or the dome of some great
cathedral; then of a gigantic elephant, covered with trappings, but always
of solid silver, and indescribably magnificent. Had all the treasures of
the earth been offered me to say what it was, I should have been unable to
answer. Bewildered by my interminable wanderings in the prairie, and
weakened by fatigue and hunger, a superstitious feeling for a moment came