Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/284

THE PAWNEES DBPEArTED. 267 "* ■feats'of bravery and the number, of scalps of the en- emy which he took in battle. The Pottawatomies came off victorious, and forever after lived in peace. Although the north line of the county just trav- ersed is passed, yet history states that Nemaha -was formerly a part of the Pottawatomie and Pox reser^ vation. The hunters have arranged to camp on the Nemaha river near the present town of Kelly. Look- ing at the large local map it is discovered that the creeks run nearly north and south, and it is frequent- ly discussed that the Nemaha heads near Corning, Nemaha county, and runs north for twenty-four miles before it turns east to get into the Missouri, whereas the Eed Vermillion heads within a mile of the Nemaha and runs south. Again, the Nemaha runs directly north for twenty-four miles, and at the point where it reaches the Nebraska line it is only a few hundred feet from the same range hne where it heads, so it must have been the natural trail, and those who trav- ersed this country fully comprehend what a fine way Jt makes. The party passed today an interesting ele- vation, which is reached very gradually from the north or south; i. e., where the city of Corning is lo- cated, nearly due west of Atchison about fifty-six miles, and is the highest point between the Missouri river and the city of Waterville, which is 100 mUes west of the great river named: so while the party were going up the Red Vermillion to its head, it only took a few minutes for them to reach the head of the Nemaiia, when they would go down stream. Not a thing occurs to mar the progress of the expedi- tion, so they are again wending their way north, and