To the north was a high rocky ridge. They got along with the meagre supply of water on hand, postponing further search until the following day.

The Mirage

In the dawn they witnessed the most remarkable mirage that was ever witnessed in western Nebraska. Two or three hundred miles to the southwest were Long's peak, Pike's peak, and the Mountain of the Holy Cross ; and they were standing out plainly and distinctly visible to the naked eye.

To the westward appeared some rough hills covered with timber, and cattle grazing on the hillsides. This puzzled Mr. Harvey, for the presence of timber in this locality had never

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

before been noted by surveyors or travelers, and the Spotted Tail trail passed near where they were encamped.

A short distance west from their camp, they found another ravine that led off to the southwest. A man rode down it for some distance, while the others waited for him to report. The sound of his rifle announced the discovery of water, and the wagons dropped down into the valley to replenish their supply.

When they reached the top of the next ridge, the timbered hills to the west had vanished. Probably these were the hills west of Rawhide, or the Hartville mountains, which are seventy to one hundred miles away, and they were drawn near by the mystery of the mirage.

Careless Surveys

When the work of subdividing townships was taken up, a large number of men were employed, and some of the parties were not very careful of their work. In some places the lines are as crooked as the proverbial ram's horn and have caused innumerable controversies and litigation over the boundary lines. There have been overlapping claims, and strips of "no man's land," and resurveys ; the carelessness of those irresponsible parties has brought trouble' without end.