The _legends_ of the plains are _numerous_, and persons who have never been here would naturally consider them _fabulous_, and the most gross _exaggerations_; but I know now, from experience, that the worst is reasonable. From the country being _all alike_, and no objects to guide the way,--no, not even a weed, or the smallest bush, or distinguishable hill or valley,--when persons once lose their way they are as completely lost as though they were as blind as a granite monument fifty miles from living man. It is somewhat _singular_, but it is a fact many times verified, that usually when persons lose their way in this country their _minds_ wander, and they do not even recognize their own camps when they come in sight of them. It appears that the average person is so _horrified_ at the thought of being lost and alone in a broad wild country, where the wild beast growls among the hills, and where the dry sands reflect perishment into their very eyes, and no one to direct their course, that the effect is natural. A story is told of an outfit crossing over a dry prairie in the pan-handle country. The first night out from water a young man who had lately come from the states went out among the hills with his rifle to look for deer. He did not _know_ the _danger_, and unconsciously wandered a mile away. When the sun was getting low he turned for camp. It appeared to him as plainly as the hills before him, that to turn back was to go toward camp. So, turning to his left, he took down a ravine, still looking for game, and sure that he was near camp. On he went, and the sun sunk low in the horizon. Soon darkness veiled the day, and he was still out, and had walked many miles. He drew out his _compass_; but he did not know whether he was north, south, east, or west from camp, and thrilled with the thought of his probable condition, he became completely bewildered and walked rapidly all night. The camp was in a _deep ravine_, and the boys supposing their tender-foot companion to be _lost_, went to the top of a hill and built a large fire with buffalo-chips, and fired their guns and loudly hallooed; but all to no purpose. In the morning _search_ was made. The country was sandy and _lightly_ covered with _grass_, and he could be trailed. Two of the boys, well mounted, started in pursuit. They followed to the east about a mile, and then winding to the south about a mile and a half he made a complete circle of about two miles, and went around three times almost in the same tracks, and then started off zigzag to the west. About noon an object was seen seated upon the side of a hill in the distance, and hurrying up the lost John was found. He had become completely deranged, and had torn every vestige of clothing from his body, and was holding the compass in his hand. He was so completely bewildered that he did not even recognize his _own comrades_, and it was _several hours_ before his mind regained its equilibrium and he fully comprehended his position. He