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There are numerous ravines with steep rocky banks, containing 

 springs and running streams, extending out from five to seven miles 

 between this branch and the Keya Paha, at the heads of which occa- 

 sionally good camping places may be found. 



The mouth of the next stream is in longitude 101° 18'; it has 

 scarcely any appreciable valley, flows between high rocky bluffs diffi- 

 cult to ascend and descend ; it is about five yards wide, with clear, 

 deep, swift-running water, and is probably about 35 miles long. 



The mouth of the next northern tributary is in longitude 101° 30', 

 and is called White Earth creek ; it is about three-fourths the size of 

 Rapid creek, which it resembles in every particular, and is about 25 

 miles long. The next, in longitude 102°, is a small spring rivulet 

 about 26 miles long, and above this the branches are all small runs 

 coming from the bluffs, generally dry except after rains, with scarcely 

 any valleys to speak of. 



On the south side of the Niobrara there are numerous small 

 branches coming in between its junction with the Missouri and the point 

 where it receives the waters of the Turtle Hill river. Three of these 

 are of considerable size, probably 35 miles long, the bluffs along 

 nearly all of them being more or less covered with scattered pine, and 

 their valleys occupied with clumps of cotton wood, oak, ash, &c. The 

 position of the Elk Horn river, about 30 miles south of the Niobrara, 

 prevents any of these southern branches having a length greater tlian 

 I have stated. From the mouth of Turtle Hill river to that of the 

 Wazi-honska there are still a greater number of short southern 

 branches, all containing springs of water, and abounding in pine and 

 beautiful oak groves. 



Wazi-honska means, in the Dakota language, "the place where the 

 pine extends far out;" and this stream, whose mouth is in longitude 

 100°, is probably 40 miles long, and all its bluffs and side ravines are 

 green with pine. Its valley, though not so wide, is very similar to 

 that of the Niobrara in this part, which has been described. 



Snake river, whose mouth is in longitude 100° 45', is quite a large 

 stream, some 30 yards wide, its bluffs covered with pine, with a nar- 

 row valley like the Wazi-honska. 



Above this there is scarcely any branch coming in from the south 

 deserving mention. 



Niobrara is a very shallow and "swift flowing stream," as the 

 Canadians say "I'Eau qui Court," abounding in rapids in two-thirds 

 of its upper course, and in its middle portion filled with small islands. 

 In the lower portion its width exceeds that of the Missouri river, and 

 is spread out over sand bars. The bed in the broad portions is quick- 

 sand and difficult to ford. Its waters rapidly increase in volume 

 through its middle portion, from the multitude of springs and stream- 

 lets that constantly flow into it from the foot of the bluffs and out of 

 the ravines. 



The traders of the American Fur Company have navigated it with 

 skin boats, carrying peltries from their former trading house near 

 Snake river, and the stream might permit of rafting if the timber 

 should be found of quality and quantity, and accessibility to defray 

 the expenses. I cannot, however, look upon it as capable of furnish 

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