varied a country, so suitable for cultivation. Everything is
new and pleasing; the Indians frequently come to see us, and the
chiefs of a tribe breakfasted at our tent this morning. All are
so friendly that I can not help feeling sympathy and friendship
for them. But on one sheet what can I say?

"Since we have been on the Platte, we have had the river on one
side and the ever varying mounds on the other, and have traveled
through the bottom lands from one to two miles wide, with little
or no timber. The soil is sandy, and last year, on account of the
dry season, the emigrants found grass here scarce. Our cattle are
in good order, and when proper care has been taken, none have
been lost. Our milch cows have been of great service, indeed.
They have been of more advantage than our meat. We have plenty of
butter and milk.

"We are commanded by Captain Russell, an amiable man. George
Donner is himself yet. He crows in the morning and shouts out,
"Chain up, boys--chain up," with as much authority as though he
was "something in particular." John Denton is still with us. We
find him useful in the camp. Hiram Miller and Noah James are in
good health and doing well. We have of the best people in our
company, and some, too, that are not so good.

"Buffalo show themselves frequently. We have found the wild
tulip, the primrose, the lupine, the eardrop, the larkspur, and
creeping hollyhock, and a beautiful flower resembling the bloom
of the beech tree, but in bunches as large as a small sugarloaf,
and of every variety of shade, to red and green.