21st Nov (1858). Morning cloudy. Although being the Sabbath we are compelled to leave camp in order to procure feed for our animals. Passing over moderately level roads, passing only three or four small settlements. Having secured feed for our animals we take up camp having reduced our journey only 16 miles. Snow has almost disappeared. Appearance for more snow favorable. 22nd Nov (1858). Snow four inches deep and still snowing. Continue our journey. Ceased snowing at 11 o'clock a.m. Here we came to the valley of Eleven Points river, a small winding stream which we forded on our route 18 times. I, having left the train with my gun shooting small game, had to wade the stream half dozen times before the wagons came up with me. I did not know if I was ahead or behind the wagons until I discovered them behind me. But you must know I had a pleasant time wading the river and six inches snow on the ground. But I had secured a nice bunch of wild pigions which were good and fat, the only fat ones I had ever seen before, although no doubt I had not only seen thousands before but millions, all I killed on our route west of the Mississippi river were fat. Passing up Eleven Points river we camp in the village of Thomasville, a village in the woods. Camp after a days drive of 15 miles, cloudy and snowing again. 23rd Nov (1858). Four inches snow on ground this morning. We leave Thomasville, pass through very thinly settled hills and valleys, water very scarce. I must tell you that we had been living on Irish potatoes for several days and still doing so. These we had to dig in the snow; no bread stuff to be had, they would all tell us, "Our folks have gone into Ar-can-saw, about 50 miles to mill with wheat, looking back to-night." (end of quote is my construction) I found some flour for sale in Thomasville. But it being in the night and we had to chase chickens out of their roost in the flour bin, I concluded to wait until morning and stick to the potato digging and eating which was not so bad with fat quail, squirrel and pigeon. Meeting nothing of note we camp in Howells valley after a days travel of 20 miles. Cloudy. 24th Nov (1858). Leave our camp in Howells valley which is a fine prairie country in Oregan county Mo., moving one and one half miles we take the road leading to Yellville, Ark., our way leading over prairie and barren plains, passing many good settlements on the praries. I must state here that I was a sort of a handy boy to look up something to eat, and tramped ahead with my gun frequently, I would be requested to look out for various things to eat, this time it was butter. I soon found a place where I could get all I wanted if I could wait until the housewife could churn, which I agreed to do. I heard the lady chasing the pigs back of the house. I looked around there and I saw that she was chasing the pigs out of a large wooden churn, had it been a stone one I think I could have stomached it, but not a wooden one. As it was a hurry job I told the lady I was in a hurry, I would describe the company and if she got the butter ready to just stop them and sell the butter to any one wanting to purchase and I would move on. Knowing well that my folks would not buy as thy left that to me. In camp that night one of our ladies balled out that if any one wanted butter she would divide out her stock.She described the place to me and I knew at once that she got her butter where the pigs were chased out of the churn. But I would take none of it which they thought strange as they knew I was fond of butter. I gave no reason I would not take any only there would not be enough to go round to all. After the butter had all disappeared I let out my secret. If you ever saw a mad crowd of women that was the madest, one of my aunts said she never would forgive me. We go into camp having traveled 18 miles. 25th Nov (1858). Leave our camp on Bennetts Bayou. We crossed the Missouri and Arkansas line into Fulton county, Ark., at about 2 o'clock p.m. our way leading down the bayou. We camp near the bayou after traveling 19 miles.