45 [ 237 ] 



above the surrounding plain. The affix wakan indicates that the locality- 

 is 10 them peculiarly remarkable, or even sacred, and a spot which they 

 select in preterence for some of' their ceremonies. 



We ascended to the top of the Pahah-icakan to enjoy the view over 

 the vast prairie before us, where we could discern herds of buffalo as far 

 as the eye cuuld reach. This was, to say the least of it, a very consohng 

 prospect. 



Before quitting the forks of East Medicine river, we had made an 

 ample supply of water and wood ; a necessary precaution, for soon every 

 appearance of running water disappeared. The green plains regain their 

 uniformity, bounded only by the horizon, and presenting a smooth surf;!ce, 

 without one sprig of grass higher than another. The deep furrows made 

 by the buffaloes in their migrating excursions from north to south, and 

 south to north, are the only irregularities of the surface. However; as the 

 direction of our route is towards the eastern border of the plateau, we could 

 not help remarking, that there the undulations of the prairie are shorter, 

 their intervals deeper, and, finally, swell into hills of 80 to 100 feet in ele- 

 vation. We had then reached the dividing ridge between the waters that 

 empty into the Missouri, and those that flow into the river Jacques. The 

 mean elevation of this ridge above the sea is 2,100 feet, and goes to 2,200 

 feet, if the mean height of the hillocks formed of the erratic deposite be 

 taken into the estimate. One of the points of this ridge is indicated upon 

 the map as my astronomical station of the 6th of July, on the route taken 

 by us over these regions ; which route is also laid down. Five or six miles 

 from this station we reached the extreme verge of the eastern limit of the 

 Coteau dn Missouri, whence a most magnificent spectacle presents itself, 

 extending over the immense hydrographical basin of the Tchan-saJisan, 

 or river Jacques. 



Dixon, in truth, had been managing a surprise for us ; he had been lead- 

 ing me through ravines, and over hills, until vve gained the spot upon which 

 he wished to place me. Noticing my admiration, he characteristically ex- 

 claimed, " Well, come now, you want geography : look ! there's geography 

 for you." 



Soon after we commenced to descend the eastern slope of the plateau, 

 and came upon an encampment of Yanktons, whom we had previously 

 met on the Huppan-kutcij prairie, and to whom we had communicated the 

 plan of our itinerary. They were friends or connexions of Dixon and 

 Fi6niere, whom we were glad to overtake. The encampment consisted of 

 eleven lodges, containing about one hnndred and ten persons; and as they 

 were abundantly supplied with provisions, they were enjoying themselves 

 in the fullness of their heart. 



We pitched our own tents upon the same prairie, and I had an oppor- 

 tunity to enter into a long conversation with the chief of the party, (the 

 Eagle,) one of the most intelligent and brave Indians with whom I ever 

 became acquainted. He gave me some very important information in 

 reference to the conduct of our expedition across the prairies, so as to 

 avoid any unpleasant rencounter with the warlike parties that meet here 

 during the hunting season. Perceiving that I had but a few men with me, 

 he kindly offered me an additional escort of ten of his men ; which offer 

 I thought ])roper to decline, for two reasons: first, because I was unwill- 

 ing to deprive his party of an assistance and protection that it might it- 

 ■ self want on some emergency ; and next, for the more prudential consid- 



