[49] The species _Cynomys Ludovicianus_, whose burrow-towns were common east of the Rocky Mountains. [50] Buffalo Creek, a northern affluent of the Platte River, in Nebraska. [51] Perhaps near Cedar Point, Keith Co., Neb. [52] Not definitely located, but perhaps in Keith Co., Neb., between the North Platte and South Platte Rivers. [53] Courthouse Rock, a huge mass of sand and clay, near Pumpkin Creek, in Cheyenne County, Neb. There is a good description of it in Delano's _Life on the Plains_ (1854), p. 69-70. [54] Chimney Rock, near the western boundary of Cheyenne County, Neb. Its height, in 1832, as given by Captain Bonneville, was 175 yards.--Irving's _The Rocky Mountains_. Phila., 1837, vol. 1, p. 45. It has become greatly reduced in height by erosion.--Chittenden's _Hist. of American Fur Trade_, vol. 1, p. 467. For a description and view in 1842, see Fremont's _Report_. Washington, 1845, p. 38. [55] Laramie Peak, the highest point of the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming, altitude 9020 feet. [56] Fort Laramie, at the confluence of the North Platte and Laramie Rivers, Wyoming, was named after Joseph Larame (or La Ramie), a trapper who lost his life here in 1821. Near by was an earlier station of the American Fur Company, known successively as Fort William and Fort John. A near view, as seen in 1842 by Fremont, is in his _Report_. Washington, 1845, opp. p. 40. The federal government bought out the trading company in 1849 and Fort Laramie became a military station; a birdseye view of the latter year is in H. H. Bancroft's _Works_, vol. 25, p. 690. For a full history of the fort, see Coutant's _Hist. of Wyoming_, vol. 1, p. 296-329. [57] One of the many mortuary customs of the Indians, known as tree-burial. CHAPTER V FROM FT. LARAMIE TO THE SOUTH PASS