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We still continued our march ; but at length night came on, and we 

 found it would be too fatiguing to attempt to reach the Forks, and we 

 therefore encamped under the shelter of a small hill, near a pond. No 

 wood was to be procured, and the men were obliged to scour the country 

 for butfalo dung, which, when it was found, would not burn, and we were 

 obliged to break up two boxes for cooking our supper. Our camp was 

 uncomfortable ; and much fatigued, I retired early to the waggon, where 

 I slept warmly and soundly until about half-past four, when we were up 

 and off. We were still about twelve miles from the trading-post belonging 

 to Fort Pierre. 



Wednesday , May 1, — When I made my entry yesterday, it was with the 

 pleasing anticipation of spending the night at the Yanktown Trading House ; 

 but travellers must not calculate too certainly on everything turning out as 

 they desire. The previous part of our journey might have taught us this, 

 and if it did not, the present lesson has impressed it on my mind. We had 

 a fine day, a beautiful road over rolling prairie, and everything seemed to 

 favor us. Though we were fatigued by our previous journey, we rejoiced 

 in the prospect of comfortable quarters. We soon reached the stream, 

 called r believe. Crow creek, but to our great disappointment, instead of a 

 small rivulet easily crossed, we found a large A^olume of water far over its 

 banks, rolling along with great velocity. We were here obliged to encamp 

 and wait for the construction of a skin-boat with which to cross over. 



As we approached Crow creek, the position of the stream was indicated 

 by steep hills, some of which indicated volcanic action, I picked up a stone 

 which appeared as if it had been melted, and the hills were covered wath 

 such. After passing these hills, our eyes were delighted with a most pic- 

 turesque scene. At the foot of the hill, on the opposite side of the river, 

 were pitched about two hundred Indian lodges, exhibiting all the irregu- 

 larity and rude appurtenances which belong to a scene in the w'ilderness. 

 All that was wanting to render the picture complete, was the green dress 

 of summer for the ground and the trees. 



While we were waiting for the completion of the boat, a number of 

 Indians swam across the river, cold as it was, and something had to be 

 cooked for them. Fortunately they were content wdth plain fare, which 

 was eaten in as plain a style. 



It was very amusing to see the strange mixture of civilized and savage 

 costume exhibited in the dress of some of them ; one fellow particularly 

 struck my attention — he had met us on the hill with a friendly shake 

 of the hand and " how do," " how do." All his garments consisted of a 

 short shirt and a waistcoat with the usual Indian clout ; his nether limbs 

 wore the clothes that nature had made for them — he was full of talk, 

 and very officious, and when the mush was given out, he always assisted 

 the helper by eating out of the pot between times. During the afternoon 

 many more young Indians swam across the cold rapid stream, and re- 

 mained all day with scarcely any clothing on them. They were all 

 anxious for horses, and two of them had the traders' receipt for thirty robes. 

 They of course must be supplied, and soon one of them was capering 

 around us on a fine bay horse, which he had selected. The horse dealing was 

 carried much after the same fashion as in the States ; all by-standers had a 

 great deal to say and there appeared to be much good humor on all sides. 



During the afternoon the men from the post had been at work on %he 



