34 EXPEDITION TO THE 



diately conceived to be a stratagem of the wily Indian, 

 who, to conceal his approach, had assumed a false garb. So 

 intent was he upon this idea, that he scarcely considered 

 it-possible that it should in reality be but a wolf. He felt 

 a strong temptation to fire upon it, but the fear of alarm- 

 ing the whole camp induced him to desist, and he was 

 only satisfied of the true nature of the object of his atten- 

 tion, when the latter, alarmed at the rustling made by Mr. 

 Say's creeping through the grass, scampered off on his 

 four legs, with a rapidity and agility that satisfied him that 

 this was its natural posture. 



At this encampment Mr. Colhoun estimated Red river 

 to be twent)^ yards wide, and its current about half a knot 

 per hour. Its banks are boggy, and the water is thickened 

 with particles of the rich light-blue clay through which it 

 flows. 



On the morning of the 30th we resumed our march at a 

 very early hour, proceeding by moonlight. We crossed 

 before breakfast a stream called Buffalo river, which, from 

 the muddiness of the banks, offered some difficulty. It is 

 about eight yards wide. In the afternoon we reached Me- 

 nomone or Wild-rice river, the wading of which was more 

 difficult; it was, however^ effected without accident; but a 

 very heavy shower, which fell immediately after we had 

 crossed the river, detained us a long while ; after which our 

 tents, baggage, &c. were found so wet that it was deemed 

 expedient to take advantage of the returning sunshine to dry 

 them ; our situation in the valley being a very exposed 

 one, Ave removed our tents to an eminence in the neigh- 

 bourhood, where we found a position favourable for de- 

 fence in case of need. Wild-rice river is twelve yards 

 wide, where we crossed it, which was nine miles above 

 its mouth ; it was about three feet deep at the time. On 



