=The Caches.= The next important stopping place was The Caches, near the present site of Fort Dodge. All that marked this spot from the surrounding country was a group of pits in the ground. A number of years before, a small party of traders had attempted to go to Santa Fe in the fall. By the time they reached the Arkansas River a heavy snowstorm forced them to take shelter on a large island, where they were kept for three months by the severe winter. During this time most of their animals perished. When spring came, having no way to carry their goods, they made some caches,[4] where they stored their merchandise until they could bring mules to haul it to Santa Fe. =The Trail Divided into Two Routes.= At Cimarron Crossing the Trail divided, and did not reunite until within a few miles of Santa Fe. The southern route was shorter, but it meant crossing fifty miles of desert before reaching the Cimarron River. In all that stretch of level plain there was no trail, nor landmark, nor stream of water. Travelers sometimes lost their way in this desert, and unless they had prepared for this part of the journey by taking along a sufficient supply of water, they perished of thirst. =An Experience with Indians.= This caravan decided to take the southern route. A band of Indians soon appeared, carrying an American flag as a token of peace. They talked with the traders by means of signs and told them there were immense numbers of Indians ahead. A little later a band of warriors appeared and threatened to fight. There was great excitement as the caravan prepared for battle and the Indians continued to pour over the hills. But there was no fighting, for the chief came forward with his “peace pipe,” from which the captain took a whiff. The warriors were ordered back to rejoin the long train of squaws and papooses who were following with the baggage. There were probably three thousand Indians in this party, and they moved down into the valley and pitched their wigwams. The traders felt sure that since the women and children were along the Indians would not be hostile, and they, therefore, formed their camp a few hundred yards away. The Indians gathered around to gaze at the wagons, for it was probably the first time most of them had ever seen such vehicles. Some of them followed to the next camp, and the next day a large number of them gathered around the caravan. This sort of thing continued until the traders made up a present of fifty or sixty dollars’ worth of goods to “seal the treaty of peace.” =Their First News.= Some days later the caravan met a Mexican buffalo hunter. He told the traders the news from Santa Fe, the first they had heard since the return of the caravan of the year before. To-day Kansas City and Santa Fe are little more than twenty-four hours apart by rail, and we read the latest news from both places in the morning and evening papers.