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escaped the ravages of the fire Geese & ducks abundant with many wolfs & Buffaloes, Weather cold. We call this the Burnt Camp

Nov 4 Arrived at 5 oClock P.M. as Wild Goose Camp so called from the immense number of Wild Geese found here. from 6 to 9 oClock they Came to the river at this point in clouds so numberous that one could scarcely fail to kill one at every shot of the rifle, during the night they kept up a perfect churn of wild notes to the [?] of the Sleeping in Camp Why this point should be selected for a Camp by the Wild Geese we were unable to say, unless it was the pools of water here were deeper than could be found below. Buffaloe not very plenty today. Weather cold and disagreeable. Our days travel 18 miles. The Mouth of Poney Nov. 5. Ponee Creek was reached this ev'ng at 6 oClock P.M. passing on our Way Fort Albert on Ponee Creek and 5 Miles lower down the creek we passed the Draggoon's Quarters. This fort is some 12 Miles from the Arkansas River up the creek in a cozey little place [?] surrounded by Timbers there were quite a number of Soldiers in the fort we saw also a large number of Arahapoe Indians at the place trading. the Draggoons from their Quarters below were moving of to fort Riley for the better [?] offering their Teams, at this Camp our old faithful old dog Jack died having swallowed a bone which we supposed caused his death. at this point the water of the Arkansas has tottally disapeared in the sands this will account for the wild Geese Congregating in the River at our last Camp. few Buffaloe Seen but Many Wolf. Weather more moderate. our day's travel 18 miles.

Nov 6. We still follow the trail down the Arkansas for council grove instead of the more northern to fort Riley. We find Buffaloe very plenty - water scarce now in the River and this Evening we camped on the Bed of the River and dug 4 feet into the Sand before we could find any water for ourselves or animals. at night the Buffaloes smelling the water came across in large droves.