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Show J(j J.~c'lcis cwd Ulw·r..c·s Expedition were forced to clear away the dt·iftwood in order to pass: the water too was so rapid tha e were unde•· the necessity of towinoo the boat for half a mile round a point of rocks oa t}1e sout~1 side. We passed two creeks4 one called 'I'iger creek on the north, twenty-five yal'lls wide at the extremity of a large island called Panther Island; the other Tabo creek on the south, fifteen yards wide. Along the shores are gooseberries and \'aspbcrries in great abundance. At the distance of seventeen and a half mileR we encamped on the south, ncar a lake about two miles from the river and several in circumference; and much ft·equented by deer and all kinds of fowls. On the north the land is higher and better calculated for farms than that on the south, which ascends more gt·adually, but is still rich and pleasant. The musquitoes and other animals are so tl·oublesome that musquitoe · biers or nets were distributed to the party. The next morning we passed a large island, opposite to whiclt on the north is a lat~ge and beautiful prairie, called Sauk prairie, the laml being fine and well timbered on both sides the rivet·. Pelicans were seen to day. We made six and three quarter miles, and encamped at the lower point of a small island, along the north side of which we proceeded the next day, June .21st, but not without danger in consc~ quence of the sands and the rapidity of the water which rose three inches last night. Behind another island come in from tbc south two creeks, called Eau, Beau, or Clear \Vater creeks; on the north is a ver·y remarkable bend, where the lugh hmds aJ>proach the river, and form an acute angle at the head of a large island produced by a narrow channel through the point of the bend. 'Ve passed several other islands, and encamped at seven and a half miles on the south. . .22d. The river rose during the night four inches. rrhe water is very rapid and crowded witlt concealed timber. We }>assed two large blands and an extensive prairie on the south, beginning with a 1·ich low land, and rising to the Up the Jf1issouri~ 17 distance of seventy or cibht~' fed of rolling clear country. 'fhe thet·mometer at thr·ee c) clock P. ~1. was at 87 ° . .After coming ten and a half miles we cn'-':unpl·tl on the south, opposite a large creek called Fir·c Pt·ait·ic J•iver·. 23<.1. The wind Wlis against us j his mot·ning, and bccamo so violent that we made only 1h1·ee and a half miles. and were obliged to lie to clul'ing the d<ty at a small i ·land. This is s«:-paratcd f1·om the nor·thtTn side by a na•·r·ow channel which cannot be passed by boats. being choaked by trees and drift.cd wood. Dit·ec•ly O}>positc on tl1e south, is a high commamling position, more than seventy !'eet above high water mark, and overlooking the river which is here of but little width; this spot bas many advant~1ges J'oJ• a fort, and trading house with the Indians.* 'rh.e rive•· fdJ eight inches last night. 'rhe next day. 24th, we passed at ejght miles distanee, Hay Cabin creek coming in fr·om the south, about twenty yards wide, and so called from camps of st.t·aw built on it; to the north are some rocks projecting into the river, and a little beyond them a creek on the same side, called Charafon Scarty; that is, Charaton like the Otter. 'Ve halted, after making eleven and a half miles, thf> country on botiJ sides being fine and intet·spersed with Jlrairies, in which we now see uumet·ous het•ds of de~w, pasturing in the plain 'I OJ' feeding on the young willows of the rive1·. 25th. A thick fog detained us till eight o·clock, when we set sail, and at three miles t•eacbed a bank of stone coal ou the north, which appeared to be very abundant: ju ~ t below it is a creek called after the bank La Char·bonnie1·e. Four· miles further, and on the southern side, comes in a smaJI creek, called La Benite. 'rhe Jll'air·ies here approach the river and contain many fruits, such as plums, raspberries, wild apples, and nearer the river vast quantities of mulber- • The U nite<l States built in Scpternbe1·, 1808, a factory ancJ fort at this spot, which is very convenient for tracHn' with the Osa~rs, Ayauways, and Kanzas. VOL. 1. n |