115 [ 1 ] 



up of the others, and some idea of their size may be formed, from the fact that 

 ten men, with the assistance of ropes and pulleys, were scarcely able to get 

 them on deck. They were immediately cut up, and, together with our 

 former supplies, have made us rich in meat — how it would excite an epicui-e 

 to be seated at our table laden as it is with such a variety of game. 



I was interrupted in writing the above, and did not resume until I had 

 finished the job I had undertaken ; this was no less than to skin and preserve 

 the head of one of the buffalo bulls. The head with the skin and flesh on 

 it, was very heavy, as they all are, and it is not much lighter after being 

 scraped for preservation. It required several hours constant work to skin 

 this one and prepare it properly, and even then I had to leave it unstulfed, 

 as nothing was to be had for this operation. I hope, however, that it will 

 reach the east in safety, and give my friends some idea of what a buffalo 

 looks like. While I was working on this, the boat was aground for a con- 

 siderable time, and had great difficulty in getting through a very bad place. 

 We had expected to have reached and passed Fort Clark to-day, but will 

 not be able to do so now. The banks have not presented that abrupt steep- 

 ness noticed before, but beautiful slopes, covered with the finest pasture, and 

 occasionally a large band of buffalo grazing. 



Six o^clockyP. M. — Another lovely evening, beautiful banks, and a 

 pleasant breeze, while the boat is in motion. Expect to reach Fort Clark 

 to-morrow morning, 



Wednesday, June 12. — Last night we lay at an old Ree village, about 

 fifteem miles below Fort Clark. During the night we had a storm, which 

 we had been led to expect from the intense heat of the day. We had quite 

 a storm of another kind also, although not a dangerous one. Three Indians 

 who had been out hunting had seen us during the day, and came on board 

 about twelve o'clock. The only injury resulting from this visit was that 

 my brother and Mr. Picotte lost their sleep, as they had to remain up with 

 them till daylight. I was awakened by a very eloquent part of a speech 

 made by one of them, but soon fell again into a sound sleep. 



About six o'clock this morning we came in sioht of Fort Clark ; it is a 

 small fort, about one-hundred feet in length on each side, and stands on the 

 left bank of the Missouri just below the Ree village. As we came round the 

 bend a number of patches of ground under cultivation appeared along the 

 river, and a very pleasing view was presented by the prairie curving inward 

 for several miles, and the inner bank having- the fort and village on it. Our 

 arrival was marked by salutes from ship and shore, and as soon as we 

 landed, numbers of Indians came aboard. 1 thought their features were 

 more decidedly like those of the English than the features of the Sioux, 

 and my ear immediately caught the difference in the language. If I could 

 speak either tongue I might explain this difference, but as it is, I feel as if 

 an opinion should scarcely be regarded. On first listening to the Sioux 

 language, it appeared to me that to characterize it as an affectionate lan- 

 guage would best describe the impression made upon me by its tones ; in the 

 Ree langauge this is not the case ; I thought that it was pitched on a higher 

 key and had a harsher sound, and yet this may not express the true difl'er- 

 ence. Their features express the same variety of expression as I before 

 noticed in the Sioux. The Ariccarees, or Rees as they are commonly called, 

 are said to be great thieves, pilfering anything they can lay their hands on — 

 they are also great beggars like all other tribes. If a feast and some pres- 

 ents arc not given to them, they injure the boat, and perhaps would take the 



