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Show ,, ~ at a target, and scaled out our blunderbusses. Di~cd at the cave below the Illinois, at the tnouth of which river, we remained some time. Ji'rmn the course of the Mississippi, the Illinois might be mistaken for a part of it. Encamped on the lower point of an island, ab ut 6 miles above the Illinois; were much detained by passing t h ~ east side of some islands above the Illinois ; and were obliged to get into the water and haul the boat through. 12th Augwt; Monday-In the morning made several miles to breakfast; about 3 o'clock P. M. passed Buffaloe. or rivierc au Breuf, above which, about 5 miles, commences a beautiful cedar cliff, having passed this, the river expands to nearly two miles in width, and has four blands, whose lowest points arc nearly parallel; these we called the four brothers; encamped on the point of the :E. one. It rained very hard all night ; caught one catfish. Distance 29 3-4· 1niles. 13th August ; Tuesday-Late before we sailed, passed a vast number of islands ; left one of our dogs on ·hore; were much detained by sand bars, and were oblig .. cd to haul our boat over several of them ; observed several encampments which had bocn lately occupied: rained all day. Distance 27 miles. 14·tb Augu.rt; JIVcdnesday-Hard rain in the morning, but a fine wind springing up, we put ofr at 1-2 past 6 o'clock; passed a camp of Sacs, consisting of 3 men, with their families : they were employed in spearing and scaffolding a fish, about 3 feet in length, with a long flat SHout ; they pointed out the channel, and prevented us from taking the wrong one: 1 gave thern a small quantity of whiskey and biscuit ; and they in return, pre· sentcd me with son1e fish. Sailed on through a continuation of islands, for nearly twenty m1lcs ; met a young gentleman, (Mr. Robcdoux) by whom I sent a letter to TO TilE SOURCES Of TilE MISS£SSIPPI. .,.. St. Louis ; encamped on an island; caught 137.5 small fish ; rained all day. Distance 28 miles. 15th August; Thursday-Still raining in the morning. From the continued series of wet weather, the men Were quite galled and sore. Met a Mr. Knttletas of N. Y. who gave me a line to Mr. Fisher of the Prairie Des Chein ; passed a small river, to the W. with a . aud b~u. at its entrance ; also, passed Salt river, which, I do not recollect having seen on any chart : it is a considcrabl <: 'tream, and at high water is navigable, for at least ~00 miles; left another dog. Distance 26 miles. 16th Augu.rt; Friday-Embarked early, but were so unfortunate, as to get fast on a log ; and did not extricate ourselves, until past 11 o'clock, having to saw off a log under the water. At 3 o'clock P. M. arrived at the house of a Frenchman, situate on the \¥". side of the river, opposite to }lurricanc island. I-Iis cattle app arcd to be in fine order; but his corn in a bad state of culti· vation. About one mile above his house, on the W. shore, is a very hand::;ome hill, \ hich he informed 1ne was level on the top, with a gradual descent on either side, and a fountain of fine water. This 1nan likL'WISC told n1e that two men had been killed on the Big Bay, or Three Brothers; and desired to be infonned what measures had been taken in consequence thereof; caught three cat-fish and one perch; encamped 4 nules above the house. Distance 18 miles. 17th August; Saturday-Embarked and can1e on r~ n1arkably well; at 10 o'clock stopt for breakfa~t, and in crder to arrange our sail ; when tht:: wind served, we put off and continued under easy sail all day. Passed three battcaux. l)istance 39 n1ilcs. 18/b August; Sunday-Embarked early; about 11 o'clock passed an Indian camp, on the E. side. Th~y tired several guns ; but we passed without stopping. V e- |
