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Show carried over the portage. 'Vith the other boat howev 'r full loaded, they were not able to get over the last ·hoot, and encamped about 600 yards below. I pitched my tent and encamped above the shoot. The rapids n1cntioncd in this day's march, might properly be called a continuation of the falls of St. Anthony, for they arc cquall y entitled to this appellation, with the falls of the Delaware and Susquehanna. Killed one deer. Distance 9 miles. 27tb Sept. Friday-Brought over the residue of my loading this morning. Two n1en arrived, from Mr. Frazer, on St. Peters, for n1y dispatches. 'This business, closing and scaling, appeared Lke a last adieu to the civilized world. Sent a large packet to the general, and a letter to Mrs. Pike, with a short note to Mr. Frazer. 'Two young Indians brought my flag across by land, who arrived yesterday, just as we came in sight of the falls. I made them a present for their punctuality and expedition, and the danger they were exposed to from the journcy.Carried our boats out of the river, as far as the bottom of the hill. 28th Sept. Saturday-Brought my barge over, and put her in the river above the falls-while we were cn(,.r.,a ob- cd with her 3-4 n1iles from camp, seven Indians painted black appeared on the heights-We had left our guns at camp, and were entirely defenceless-It occurred to me that they were the small party of Sioux who were ob~ sti11ate, and would go to war, when the other part of the bands came in ; these they proved to be ; they were better armed than any I had ever seen; having guns, bows, arrows, clubs, spears, and some of then1 even a case of pi~tols. I was at that time giving n1y n1en a dran1 ; and giving the cup of liquor to the first, he drank it off; but I was more cautious with the remainder. I sent my interpreter to camp with the1n, to wait my coming; wishing to purchase one of their war clubs, it being made of elk TO TilE SOURCF.S Of TilE MlSt;JSSTPP I. horn, and decorated with inlaid work. This and a s t o1 bows and arrows, I wished to get as a curiosity. But the liquor I had given him, beginning to operate, he came back for me, but refusing to go till [brought my boat, he rrtu!·ned, and (I suppose being offended) borrowed a ca~ noe and crossed the river. ln the afternoon got the oth 'r boat ncar the top of the hill, when the props gave way~ and she slid all the way down to the bottom, but ft)rlLlnately without injuring any person. It raining very hard, we left her. Killed one goose and a racoon. 29th Sept. Sunday-I killed a remarkably large racoon. Got our large boat over the portage•, and put her in the river, at the upper landing ; this night the men g:wc sufficient proof of their fatigu , by all throwing thC'mselves down to sl''ep, preferring rest to ·upper .... This day I had but 15 men out of ~2 ; the others were 5ick. This voyage could have been performed with gr at convenience, if we had taken our dt parture in June. But the proper time would be to leave the Illinois as soon as the icc would permit, when the river would be of a gooJ height. 30th Sept. Monday-Loaded my boat, moved ovc1 and encamped on the i land. 'fhe large boats loading likewise, we went over and put on board. Tn the mean time, I took a survey of the lt ails, Portage, &c. lf it be. possible to pass the falls in high water, of which I am doubtful, it n1ust be on the cast side, about thirty yard~ from shore ; as there arc three layer of rocks, one below the other. The pitch ofr of either, is not more than five feet; but of this I can say n1ore on my return. : 1st Oct. Tuesday-Embarked late. 'The river at firs1 appeared mild, and sufficiently deep; but after about tou:r miles, the shoals commenced, and had very hard water ail • tt is llt vcr possiblt', as a~crrtainl'J on mv rct:x r n. |
