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impOvSsible for me to give an accurate account of the geological formation 

 from observing it as the boat passes swiftly by. I have noticed the lime- 

 stone mentioned by Nicollet and seen it in fine strata lying above slate ; if 

 this stone is hard enough, it would be admirable for building. I think it too 

 soft however, although I have not yet been able to secure a specimen. 



These slate and limestone rock occur in very high steej) bluffs rising almost 

 })erp8niHcularly from the w^ater, except when bars or narrow bottoms inter"- 

 vene ; they also often exhibit evidence of the presence of sulphur and iron : 

 they do not occur in one unbroken succession, but they cross the river very 

 frequently, being seen now on one side and again on the other, but never, 

 so far as I remember, appearing on opposite sides at the same place. They 

 do not occur in unbroken succession ever on the same side of the river, but 

 most generally appear as the sections of a series of short hills with ravines 

 between, and these ravines having in them grass and scrubby trees, fre^ 

 quently cedar. I noticed many swallow nests in these high banks. 



I have looked with some care for the pseudo volcanoes of Nicollet ; we 

 passed the one in the bend below White River very early in the morning, 

 and I did not see it to my disappointment, but I noticed several places in the 

 banks which I supposed he called volcanoes, as they presented the red 

 burnt-like appearance notice(,l so often about Fort Union. One of these 

 places passed yesterday on the west bank, had so much the appearace oi 

 having been caused by fire as to make the Captain exclaim — that must have 

 been a very recent fire. We are again getting into the region of snags, 

 but w^e have made fine running yesterday and to-day. Hurrah for home I 



Tuesday, July 2. — We reached the Vermilion post yesterday at twelve 

 o'clock, and was welcomed by Mr. Larpenter. We were detained there all 

 the afternoon to take in packs, and at night we lay at the island opposite 

 «nd took in wood. I got two pairs of black tailed deer horns, and was 

 offered a young skunk, wdiich I declined ; there are two on board, really 

 beautiful little creatures and full of play. This morning v/e had made forty 

 miles before breakfast and have some hopes of being in St. Louis by Sunday. 



Wednesday, July o. — We spent the night a little below old Council 

 llluffs, and this morning soon after breakfast w^ere at Bellena, and saw foB 

 the first time in some months a settlement of wdiites. Yesterday the hills 

 for the first time were seen covered w^ith timber and presented quite a 

 pleasing contrast with the bare bluffs of the upper river. To-day we are 

 hastening along and may reach St. Joe to-night. 



Friday, July 5. — Yesterday was passed by me delightfully, because I 

 was hurrying home as fast as steam could carry me. We passed St. Joe 

 about ten o'clock, making only a short stop. I there got the skull of an 

 Assiniboine chief from Mr. M'Donald. We passed several towns but 

 stopped only once, at Parkville ; we met several steamboats bound upwarcL 

 This morning it is oppressively hot. 



Saturday, July (5. — My trip has at last ended, so far as the Indian 

 country is concerned. The El Paso landed about two o'clock, all in goofl 

 health and spirits and glad to get home. I desire to feel very grateful to 

 Divine Providence for my safe return and restored health — may the know- 

 ledge gained be all employed in promoting God's glory. 



