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34 Across the Plains 1858 Sept. 4th - Tuesday Trail still continues to be good, not withstanding the rains. Crossed Broken Arm Creek early in the morning. Crossing good. As usual, killed a fine mess of ducks. Wood and water scarce. Country-rolling prairie. Soil of different qualities. Wind and rain all day. Travelled 20 miles. 20 Sept. 5th - Wednesday Again crossed Broken Arm Creek, crossing good. Character of the country unchanged. Soil sandy and pebbley - heavy wind and rain. Trail bad towards the close of the afternoon. Wood scarce, had to carry wood with us. Water plenty- good feed for animals. Traveled 20 miles. 20 Sept. 6th - Thursday Traveled through prairie as all day with the characteristic soli of yesterday. Trail fair. Had to carry wood with us. Wood being very scarce along the route. Crossed a running stream. Camped at night near a lake. Heavy wind and rain all day. Distance 23 miles. 23 Sept. 7th - Friday Trail very bad. No change in the features of the of the country till noon. Came to groves. Crossed two lakes, one running stream and numerous sloughs in the afternoon. The lakes were deep, coming up to the cart beds. As usual, had to wade. Killed a fine mess of ducks. Saw several skunks. Passed a large field of wild roses in full bloom, which was gladsome to the eyes. It reminded us of what we left behind us. Camped near a slough and grove. Traveled about twenty miles. Weather fair. During the night if froze the water in our buckets to the thickness of a pane of glass. 20 Sept. 8th - Saturday Trail bad. Crossed three lakes and numerous sloughs. Depths of lakes 2 1/2 feet. Country changed from undulating to hilly. Numerous lakes on both sides of the trail. As usual, a mess of ducks. Weather clear and pleasant. Camped near lake and grove. Traveled 22 miles. 22