country is lwa11tiful; and if lhcre were springs, il would be one of the best parts of lhe country I have lravellccl lhrough. They have to use bayou waler for all purposes. On my relurn, aboul eighteen miles from lhe last village, I turned lo the west, from the road, and rode to the Sabine. About twenty-four miles came lo a beautiful lake, about half a mile from the river; il abounds in fish and alligators. I examined lhe country around, and found il nearly surrounded by swamps; I found small springs in ils neighborhood, of good waler. I next visited a place occupied aboul fifteen years since by a Spaniard by the name of Jose des los Sanloz Coza; it is the most beautiful place for a garrison I have ever seen; and, in my opinion, one of the most healthy. IL is aboul four or five miles from the Sabine; it is a high hill, which admits of a view of the surrounding counlry on every side, except that of lhe river, which is a small slope, limbered by large pines, and no undergrowth; in front is a small prairie of about lhirly or forty acres, which is watered by a fine large spring on the soulh side of the hill; the waler is cool, and fine tasted. I was informed by the inhabitants thal the nearest house was about five miles from it, on the river Sabine, below, about fifleen miles from the main Grand Cane setllement. About fifteen miles farther on my return, I slopped al lhe house of a Mr. De Solo, an old inhabilanl of thal counlry, who informed me .lhat the Red river was only three miles from his house; and that il was his opinion (as well as mine) that a road could be cul through from the river lo lhe place above named, with ease, in about twenly-five --- dislant. I endeavored to ascerlain dislances from and lo several places, but was unable. The dislance I lravelled from this place, according lo my own calculation, is about one hundred and fourteen miles. Mr. Doyle was of great service to me. He has nol only taken minut<~s of what was said lo lhe Indians, and their answer, but has made a fair copy, for which he has my sincere lhanks, and I hope your approbation. I have the honor lo be, with great respect and cslecm, your obedienl servant, B. Riley, Major United Stat1•::; army.
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