An Indian family peers into a broad, well-watered valley. Cutting through that valley is the Sweetwater River which finds its source in the Wind River Mountains to the right. A group of mounted warriors approach from below. The whole scene seems gloomy as the sun sets into a cloudy haze to the west. The mood of the painting is one of reverie. A chord of thanatopsis prevails. Miller does not mention the temper of the work, but given the date of this and the accompanying study (CR# 196A), it is not far-fetched to suggest that Miller might have at least been pondering the fate of the western tribes.
