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Show l .> I· JOL'n~AL OF A VOYAGg du~k, when I was informed that some of the Indians had been drcamiwr and wished to r eturn. Killed one deer, one turkey, one racoon. Distance 13 miles. 5tb September, Friday.-In the tnorning our Little Osage all car.ne to a determination to return, and, much to my surprise, Sans Oreille atnongst the rest! I had given an order on the chiefs for the lost horse to be delivered to Sans Orcillc's wife, previously to tny knowing that he wa.s going back, but took frmn him his gun, and the guns from all the others also. In about five miles we struck a beautiful hi1l, which bears south on the ·prairie: its elevation I ~ uppos e to be 100 feet. I( r01n its summit the view is sublime to th cast and south-east. Vv c waited on this hill to breakfast, and had to send two tnilcs for water. Killed a deer on the rise, which was soon roasting before the fire. Jicre another Indian ·wished to return and take his horse with him, which, as we had so few, I could not allow, for he had already received a gun for the use of his horse. I told hitn he might return, but his horse would go to the Pawnees. We marched, leaving the Osage trace, which we had hitherto followed, and crossed the hills to a creek which was almost dry. Descended it to the main river, where we dined. The discontented Indian can1e up, and put on an air of satisfaction and content. We again marched about six miles further, and encamped at the head of a small creek, about half a n1ile from water. Distance !9 miles. 6th September, Saturday.-We marched at half past ~ix o'clock, and arrived at a large fork of the little Osage river, where we breakfasted. In the holes in the creek we Jiscovered n1any fish, which, from the stripes on their bellies, and their spots, I supposed to be trout and bass: they were twelve inches long. This brought to mind the ncr essity of a net, which would have frequently afrorded TO THE SOUHCES OF TIIE .ARK:\ NS.\ \V, &c. t :> .s subsistence to the whole party. We halted at one o'clock and remained until four o'clock. Being told that we could not arrive at any water, we here filled our vess ls. At five o'clock arrived at the dividing ridg~, between the waters of the Osage and Arkansaw (alias \Vhite river)., the dry branches of which interlock within 20 yards of each other. The prospect frotn the dividing ridge to thC' east and south-east is sublime. The prairie rising and falling in regular swells, as far as the sight can extend, produces a very beautiful appearance. We left our course, and struck down to the south-west on a small creek, or rather a puddle of water. Killed one deer. Distance 20 miles. 7th September, Sunday.-W e 1 ft this at half past six o'clock, before which we had a difficulty with the son of the chief, which was accommodated. At nine o'clock we came on a large fork and stopped for breakfast. Proceeded on and encamped on a fine stream, where we swam our horses and bathed ourselves. Killed four deer. Distance 15 miles. 8tb September, M onday.-1\IIarched early, and arrived at a grand fork of the v;.rhite river. The Indians were all discontented: we had taken the wrong ford; but, as they were dispersed through the woods, we could not be go· verned by their tnovcmcnts. Previously to our leaving the camp, the son of the Cheveux Blanche proposed r eturning, and oftered no other reason than that he felt too lazy to perform the route. The reason I offered to prevent his going was ineffectual, and he departed with his hunter, who deprived us of one horse. His return left us without any chief or man of consideration, except the son of tl H' Belle Oiseau, who was but a lad. The former appeared to be a discontented young fellow, and filled with self prido : he certainly hould have considered it as an honor .. |
