334 EXPEDITION TO TIUE 



cellent and deep, the roots extending sometimes three feet 

 under ground. The sandbars and small islands are cover- 

 ed with groves of willow. A few hills, composed princi- 

 pally of loose sand, w^ere observed during the journey of 

 the 12th ; one of which, distant about half a mile east from 

 the encampment, was estimated at about one hundred and 

 fifty feet in height. The latitude of the camp on the even- 

 ing of the 12th of July was observed to be 44° 33' 59" N. 

 which shows that the general direction of the river thus 

 far is south of west. We reached the extremity of the 

 forest the next morning, and found on the prairie a small 

 party of Indians encamped. We were told that the prin- 

 cipal of these was the old chief who formerly resided at 

 Weakaote. He has thirty or forty warriors under his com- 

 mand, who intend to remove from their old residence to 

 this spot, as the other place is considered unhealthy ; by 

 white men it is called Fever Sandbar. 



Notwithstanding these circumstances, the St. Peter is 

 generally deemed very healthy, and in despite of the unfa- 

 vourable name applied to the sandbar, it is said to be free 

 from intermittent fevers. Our party continued all in health 

 except one of the soldiers, who had a few chills and fits of 

 fever, which were soon checked. It was supposed that he 

 had brought the seeds of it from the Mississippi. 



Prairie land was again observed to border upon the 

 river, the number of islands increased, and the navigation 

 became extremely tedious. At one of the landing places, 

 we observed a block of granite of about eighty pounds 

 weight; it was painted red and covered with a grass fillet, 

 in which were placed twists of tobacco offered up in sacri- 

 fice. Feathers were stuck in the ground all round the 

 stone. 



In the afternoon, one of the canoes was unfortunately 



