We reached the Brazos upon the 11th of July, halting at a freshwater spring about a quarter of a mile from it. The bed of the river was of considerable breadth, though the stream was only a few yards wide and a few inches deep. The water was clear, but very brackish. In some holes many large cat-fish were caught. We crossed the river upon the 13th. A few yards above its level a large portion of a fossil tree was found. The statement on some of the maps of Texas, of a petrified forest, is most probably an idle story, arising from some party having met with a fossil specimen of this kind. There was an ascent from the river for about two miles, and from high ground was a fine prospect -- the Comanche Peak rising on the horizon to the W., the country on this side of it appearing a flat wooded plain, and a little to the N. the Brazos river made a great bend. From this point our course was as far as practicable to the N.W.

We passed several streams, and on the third day after leaving the river came to a large spring of water rising out of a conglomerate of lime and shells of the gryphea species. The water fell over a ledge of this conglomerate about 5 feet high. In some gullies near I picked up many specimens of small echini.

On the 19th we crossed the ridge dividing Noland's river and the Trinity. On the 21st we entered part of the line of oaks running from the N., called the upper cross-timbers, and brought the waggons through it with great difficulty on the 31st. Some lunar observations, which 1 cannot say are to be relied on, made our position on the 27th in long. 97° 44' W. of Greenwich, and lat. 33° 35'. We had found honey in many trees for some days ; but, according to the statement of old hunters, bees are not met with W. of the cross-timbers. On getting clear of the forest, we found the trail of a trading expedition, made two years previously under the guidance of Mr. Connelly, direct from the Red River across the Puerco to Chihnahua. He had discovered the error of carrying goods to Santa Fe; and, after overcoming immense difficulties, finally arrived at the central market of the N. of Mexico.

On the 4th of August we came to a large red river. Some Wakoe Indians met us, and seemed disposed to enter into communication with an advance party, but they fled in great haste when they discovered our number. On the northern side of the river, upon a flat piece of ground, was the Indian village, very prettily laid out, and the huts covered with the leaves of the maize corn. Strict orders were given that no person should pass over to it, and sentries were set to see them executed. Some men, however, got into a patch of water-melons, then unripe, and brought some of them into camp. The next morning we crossed the river, which we supposed to be the Wishetaw: it was of a deep red colour from the quantity of mud suspended in it. It was evidently subjected to very high floods, though it was this time not above 2 1/2 feet deep at the crossing. We were compelled to pass through the village; but the Indians had abandoned it, and all the corn in a large plantation had been gathered. No injury was done to the huts; and the taking of the melons was the only wrong committed.

From this point we were compelled to keep off to the W.; and on the 5th we halted at the side of a lake of red-coloured water, the sand about it being of a deep red colour. Keeping still W. we again struck the river on the 5th. On this day Mr. Van Ness, who rode with a party to the N., reported having reached a river of considerable size running E.

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Adapted from Thomas Falconer
"Notes on a Journey through Texas and New Mexico, in the Years 1841 and 1842"