Road forks; one line follows the Platte, the other turns to the left, over “ cut-off ;" highly undulating ridges, crooked and deeply dented with dry beds of rivers; land desolate and desert. No wood nor water till end of stage. La Bonié River and Station ; unfinished ranch in valley ; water and grass   25 miles  10:45 am to   2:45 am (?)  Aug.15, 1860