85 [ 1 ] 



Siaid 11/, April 23. — Yesterday, after dinner, wc traveled about five 

 hours, and then encamped on the shore of Lake Andy, a lonj^ and wide 

 «heet of water about ten miles from the Missouri, and aliout sixty from the 

 A' Jacques. Our road was over a fine prairie land, exhibiting more grass than 

 we had previously seen. During the day I procured two specimens of a small 

 plant which 1 had not observed before ; also three specimens of animals, 

 viz., a prarie squirrel, a prairie dog, and a dried salamander, which was 

 found on the shore of the lake. The prairie dog was shot by Alexander 

 at the first dog village that we met with. Two others were also fired at, 

 but they escaped. Their motions are so quick, that even when wounded, 

 they can scarcely be caught. 



In the morning we started before five o'clock, and had a beautiful and 

 pleasant day, with the exception of a strong head wind. The road at first 

 was very hilly, but became less so as we advanced. No timber was seen 

 except where we encamped there were some thorn bushes and a few small 

 trees. Even this scanty vegitation supplied us with better fuel than the 

 buffalo dung which we were obliged to use for our fire yesterday. In the 

 morning we found the ravines filled and the distant hills covered with 

 .snow. 



Tuesday, ./iprll 30. — This morning we were at our camp on the Ameri- 

 can Fork. On Sunday about sunset, w^e reached a good encamping ground 

 on a small stream called Cow creek. The approach to this is over steep, 

 irregular hills, covered wMth stones. Its margins are better tind)ered than 

 those of any stream we have seen for several days. During the nig-ht we 

 were awakened by the noise of the wind and the beating of the snow 

 against the carriage. We expected to see the ground covered with snow 

 in the morning, but were agreeably surprised to find this was not the case, 

 and that the sun was shining in an almost cloudless sky. We started at 

 half-past four, and traveled over a gentle rolling prairie without wood, but 

 abounding in depressions filled with water, but which were probably dry 

 in summer. At about half-past nine o'clock we reached the Bute Bijoux, 

 which we had previously seen from far off covered with snow. It is a 

 clump of hills rising very irregularly out of the prairie, and consisting of 

 rocks, which have the appearance at a distance, of light-colored lime- 

 stone. 



At this place where we found wood, water and grass, we rested two 

 hours, and then started for the American Fork. It was not without consi- 

 (k-rable hesitation that we determined to go on. The distance was eighteen 

 miles ; our horses had no provender except dry prairie grass, and T?ere 

 much weakened by cold and the long journey ; we were, howerer, so 

 anxious to get through, that we resolved to press on. Our route lay 

 across a wide prairie, covered with burnt grass, without wood for many 

 miles. Though the weather was warm when we started, it soon com-, 

 menced blowing violently from the north, and in a few hours became 

 intensely cold. 



About four o'clock, W(> discovereil at a distance a couijiany of Indians, 

 and we were soon observed by them, though they at first niislook us for a 

 herd of bu.lalo. Two scouts soon reached us in full gallop, and we ac- 

 comj)anied them to their encampment, which consisted of several lodges. 

 At our arrival, men, women, children, dogs and horses, all came out to 

 look at us. . 



