NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 147 



On descending the river two miles, the next morning, we found 

 ourselves opposite the mouth of Elk River, a stream coming in 

 from the west. This point has been determined to be but four 

 minutes north of latitude 46° [Sen. Doc. 237]. A short distance 

 below the river, we passed, on the west shore, the Painted Eock, 

 an isolated or boulder mass, having Indian devices, which we had 

 no opportunity of examining. We w^ere now passing down a 

 channel of manifestly increased velocity, and at the distance of a 

 couple of miles more, found ourselves hurried through the west 

 channel of the Little Falls. At this point the primitive or basis 

 stratification over which we had been so long gliding, crosses the 

 river, rising up and dividing it, by an abrupt rocky island, into 

 two channels. The breadth of the stream is much compressed, 

 and the velocity of its current increased. By what propriety of 

 language it is called "falls" did not, however, appear; perhaps 

 there are seasons when the descent assumes a greater degree of 

 disturbance and velocity. To us, it appeared to be about ten feet 

 in a hundred and fifty yards. Here, then, in N. lat. 46°, the Mis- 

 sissippi is first visibly crossed by the primary series of rocks. 



Being now in the region of buffalo, it was decided to land in 

 the course of the day, for the purpose of entering into the chase. 

 An occasion for this was presented soon after passing the Little 

 Falls, by observing one of these animals on shore. On landing, 

 and reaching the elevation of the prairies, two herds of them were 

 discovered at a distance. An attack on them was immediately 

 planned, for which the tall grass and gentle inequalities of sur- 

 face, appeared favorable. The fire proved unsuccessful, but served 

 to distract the herds, giving scope for individual marksmanship 

 and hunter activity, during which, innumerable shots were fired, 

 and three animals killed. While this scene was passing, I had a 

 good stand for witnessing the sport, some of the herd passing by 

 very near, as with the blindness of fury. The bison is certainly 

 an animal as clumsy as the ox, or domestic cow; but, unlike these, 

 it is of a uniform dun color, and ever without being spotted, or 

 mottled. Its horns are nearly straight, short, very black, and set 

 wide apart. The male is formidable in look, and ferocious when 

 woimded. Its ordinary weight is eight hundred to a thousand 

 pounds. 



It may be said, in reference to this animal being found in this 



