Page 13 - Keays Diary with forward 1866 and Cover

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beautiful; all day it has 1ooked as if we ought to be in a thickly

settled country. I think there is more settling on this stream than any

other passed. It really seems incredible that this country does not

settle faster.

I had no idea of the extent of fine country there is this near

the States. One would think every one would stop here instead of going

on to California.

Wednesday May 9 -- We have had a pleasant day, but for the sake

of camping again on our Little Blue, as there was no stream near for a

camping ground, so we only came about 20 miles and stopped again, We

stopped near two wagons and a lady with a baby came down to see us she

is going to Denver and her outfit is in contrast to ours, making us feel

quite contented; she complained of the profane language and disagreeable-

ness altogether of her escort. She is going to her husband, has three

children, and they go very slowly, so that the children are tired out
already.

I cannot value too highly the Mr. Petersons, (Clay and Fount),

not an angry or profane word have they uttered, besides they are never

tired of Will.

We had an exciting time today, seeing some Antelope, our Gentle-

men were quite in hopes they would get a shot, but they were so wild;

they played around us quite a spell when they trotted off and left us.

But we had some excellent game to make us some amends; for supper we

had three ducks and a chicken which we ate up clean, and besides we had

a large Leather Backed Turtle, which was dressed and parboiled last night

and fried for breakfast; the rest pronounced it nice, but never having

seen any before, I was not prepared to judge, but one thing I did judge