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Show I '2 "l ance of a fine day. Passed Gravel rivl'r on the west. ; \bout three miles above th~s river the Indians I 'ft us and informed me, by keeping a little to the south and west, they would make in J 5 miles what 'l.:ould be at least 3.5 miles for us. l)r. Robinson, l\1r. Henry, and serjeant Ballenger accompanied them. Killed two deer. Distance 13 miles. 7t/; August, T!Jursday.-Not being dctaine<.l by the ln<.lians, we arcfor oucc enabled to embark at a quarter past five o'clock. The river having fell, !:>ince yesterday morning, about four feet, we wish to improve every moment of time previous to its entire fall. \1\T c proceeded extremely well, passed the Saline river on the east, and encamped opposite La Belle Roc be on the west shore. This day we passed many beautiful clifrs on both sides of the river, saw a bear and wolf swimming the river. I employed myself part of the day in translating into French a talk of general \Vilkinson to the Chevcux Blanche. Distance 21 nules. 8tb Augwt, Trid.Jy.-We emba:::k"d ~0 minutes past five o'clock. Found the river had fallen about two feet Juring the night. At the confluence of the Y oungar with the Osage river we breakfasted. Encamped at night on a bar. Distance 21 miles. 9tb August, Saturday.-We embarked at five o'clock, and at half past six o'clock met the Indians and our gen· tlcmen. They had met with nothing extraordinary. They had killed in their excursion seven deer and three bear. We proceeded to an old wintering ground, where there were eight houses, which were occupied last winter by ----, who had not been able to proceed any higher for want of water. Passed the Old Man's Rapi<.ls, below which, on the west shore, are some beautiful cliffs. Dined with the Indians, after which we passed Upper Gravei TO THE SOURCES 01; THE ARK.ANSA \V, &c. 121 river on the west, Pottoe river on the cast. Sparks went out to hunt, and did not arrive at our encampment, nor did the Indians. Distance 25 miles. lOtb August, Sunday.-Embarked a quarter past five o'clock, when the sun shone out very clearly; but in fifteen minutes it began to rain, and continued to rain very hard until one o'clock. Passed the Indians, who were encamped on the west shore, about half a n1ile, and halted for them. They all forded the river but Sans Oreillc., who brought his wife up to the boats, and informeJ me that Sparks had encampcJ with them, but left them early to return in search of us. W c proceeded after breakfast. Sparks arrived just at the 1nomcnt we were embarking. The Indians traversing the country on the cast had sent Sparks with Sans Orcillc. About two o'clock A. 1\1. split a plank in the botton1 of the batteaux. Unloaded and turned her up, repaired the breach, and continued on th~ route : by four o'clock found the Indians behind a ]argc island : we made no stop, and they followed us. We encamped together on a bar, where we proposed halting to dry our corn, &c. on Monday. Killed four deer. Distance 18 1-2 miles. 11th August, Monday.-We continued here to dry our corn and baggage. This n1orning we had a m:1tch at shooting : the prize ofrered to the successful person was a jacket and a twist of tobacco, which I myself was so fortunate as to win; I made the articles, however, a present to the young fellow who waited on Inc. After this, taking Huddleson with me, I went out to hunt: after travelling about twelve rniles we arrived at the river, almost exhausted with thirst. I here in<.lulged myself by drinking plentifully of the water, and wa,:; rendered so extremely unwell by it, that I was scarce capable of pursuing my route to the camp. On arriYing· opposite it, I S\·,'am l he () "" |
