before evening, I found my stock of spirits was
much exhausted. About 11 o'clock we had a
very heavy rain, such a one as seldom hap-
pens. We got very wet. When near Cat-
taraugus river we passed through a very
rich bottom, with an uncommonly lux-
uriant growth of vegetation; and about
sunset arrived at the stream, which we
found to be many perches out of its banks
at the fording place. Our guide made
signs to us that is would run over
our horses' backs and sweep them away.

We therefore concluded to pitch
camp being in an open bottom, and
where there was a pretty good supply of
grass, so that our horses would have done very
well if it had not been for gnats and mus-
quitos. We struck up a fire, and under
some bushes we had put up to keep off the
dew, got a pretty comfortable night's rest.

We saw neither house nor cabin in this
days ride.

8th 6th day.

The Cattaraugus fell sev-
eral inches during the night, but at the place
selected for crossing, the water ran very swiftly,
We made a sign to our guide to lead the way
he being well mounted on Henry Simmons

'
horse, it being the largest in the company,