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Show • ~90 LewiB and ClaJ•ke' s Expedition is very close, short, and silky in its texture. Thi~ was the first we Jtad met, although its nests are very frequent among the cliffs of rocks and hollow tJ·ecs, where we also found large quantities of the shells and seed of the prickly pear, on which we conclude they chiefly subsist. 'I'he mosquitoes arc uncommonly troublesome. The wind was agaiu high from the &outhwest: these winds are in fact always tht coldest and most violent which we experience, and the hypothesis which we have formed on that subject is, tl1at the air coming in contact with the Snowy mountains immedi· atcly becomes chilled and condensed, and being thus rendered heavier than the air below it descends into the rarified air below or into the vacuum formed by the constant action of the sun on the open unsheltered plains. 'rhe clouds rLt suddenly near these mountains and distribute their contents partiaiJy over the ncjghbouring plains. The same cloud will discharge hail alone in one part, bail and rain itt another, and rain only in a thh·d, and all within the S}lace of a few miles; while at the same time there is snow fallin' on the mountains to the southeast of us. There is at present no snow on those mountains; that which covered them on our arrival as well as that which has since fallen baving disappeared. 'rhc mountains to the north and northwest of us are still entirely covered with snow, and indeed there has been no perceptible diminution of it since we first saw them, which induces a belief either that the clouds prevailing at this season do not reach their summits or that the)· deposit their snow only. They glisten with great beauty when the sun shines on them in a particular direction, and. most probably from this glittering appearance have derived the name of the Shining mountains. Wedn~sday, 8. Nearly the whole pavty were employed in different labours connected with the boat, which is now almost completed: but we have not as yet been able to obtain tar from our kiln, a circumstance that will occasion us not a little embarra&sment. Hal'iDg been told \ Up the JUissouri. !91 by the Indians that on leaving the falls we should soon pasi the buffaloe country, we have before us the pt·ospect of fasting occasionally; but in order to llrovide a supply we sent out the hunters who killed only a huffaloe and two antelopes, which added to aix beaver and two otter have been all our game for two or three days. At ten in tbe morning we had a slight shower which scarcely wet · the grass. 'rhursday, July 4th. The boat was now completed ext~ ept what is in fact the most difficult part, the making her s.eams secure. 'Ve had intended to despatch a canoe with part of our men to the United States early this spt'ing; but Jtot having yet seen tlac Snake Indians, or knowing whether to calculate on their friendship or enmity, we have decidccl aot to ·weaken our party which is already scarcely su.ffit. icnt to repel any hostility. We were afraid too that suelt a measure might dishearten those who remain; and as we h ave never suggested it to them, they are all verfectlJ and enthusia~tically attached to the enterprise, and willin~ to encounter any danger to ensure its success. 'Ve had a heavy dew this morning. Since om· arrival at the falls we have repeatedly heard a strange noise coming from the mountains in a direction a little to the north of west. Jt is hear·d at different periods of the day and night, sometimes when the air is per fectly still and without a cloud, and consists of one stroke only, or of five or six discl1arges in quick succession. It is loud and resembles precisely the sound or a six pound piece of ordnance at the distance of thr·ee miles. TlJe ~linnetarees frequently mentioned this noise like thunder, "hich they said the mountains made; but we had paid no attention to it, believing it to have been some su1>erstiHon or perhaps a falsehood. 'rhe watermen also of the party iay that tlte Pawnees and Riearas give the same account of a noise heard in the Black mountains to the west,uu·d oj.· them. The iolut~~n of the mystery ;iven by the philoso- |
