348 EXPEDITION TO THE 



bite of the rattlesnake ; the root is scraped and the scrap- 

 ings applied to the wound ; it is said that if used upon a 

 recent wound, a single application will suffice. The boul- 

 ders, which are so common in the valley of the St. Peter, 

 are but seldom seen on the prairies. 



After proceeding another half day on the prairie, the 

 party found itself on the banks of the Ch^nshayape wa- 

 tapa, or the stream of the " tree painted red." This is a 

 beautiful rivulet, which was about eight yards wide where 

 we crossed it. It runs in a wide and romantic valley. The 

 bluffs which rise on both sides, are formed of a fine white 

 sandstone. We stopped for a few moments on the edge of 

 the bank, previous to descending into the valley, to enjoy 

 the beautiful and refreshing scenery which offered itself to 

 our view, and which formed a pleasing contrast with the 

 burned and blasted appearance of the prairie. The junc- 

 tion of the valley of the St. Peter with that of its tribu- 

 tary, about two miles below the place where we stood, oc- 

 casioned an expansion of both valleys at that spot. The 

 beautiful and diversified vegetation, springing luxuriantly 

 on the banks of both streams, the rapid current of the wa- 

 ters rushing to one common point, formed a landscape, 

 which, at that time, appeared to us as smiling and as beau- 

 tiful as any we had ever beheld. But it is probable that 

 much of its charms arose from the contrast which it pre- 

 sented, with the wearisome views of the boundless prairies. 

 Perhaps, also, we found ourselves in better spirits to enjoy 

 the scener)'^, from perceiving, near these banks, the first 

 trace of the buffalo, whence we drew prospects of a speedy 

 change in our fare, together with hopes of soon sharing 

 in the sports of an active and interesting chase. Though 

 narrow, the Redwood, whose course is a long one, has its 

 sources in the Coteau des Prairies. Red pipestone is said 



