"The weather was fine, the valleys literally covered with buffaloe, and everything seemed to promise a safe and speedy movement to the first grove of timber on my route, supposed to be about ten days' march"

This quote by William Henry Ashley paints a picture of a beautiful and promising landscape. The weather was pleasant, and the valleys were filled with buffalo, a sign of abundance and prosperity. This offered Ashley hope that his journey would be safe and swift, as he was expecting to reach the very first grove of timber in about 10 days. This quote shows the optimism of Ashley as he set out on his journey, and the beauty of the land he was travelling through. It likewise speaks to the value of the buffalo to the people of the time, as they provided food, clothes, and shelter. Ashley's journey was likely filled with many more obstacles and challenges, but this quote shows the hope and optimism he felt as he set out on his adventure.