THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 



469 



; with Father de 

 d seen yesterday, 

 IS, had 148 pounds 

 ■ on the Chouteaux 

 iss than \2\ to 25 

 ave passed for fine 

 : left the "Auld," 

 Madame Chouteau's 

 ght for Sir William 

 : deep in her house, 

 about six feet. At 

 )f our friend Pierre 

 nd he gave me some 

 rvis. About twenty 1 

 left in pursuit of the 

 id sent one of their 

 at they had remained 

 eves and murderers, 

 and shoot them on I 

 L and Bell killed two | 



reached Fort Leav- 

 had an early break- 

 cross the Bend; but 

 flowed, and that the 

 n carried away, and 

 saw two officers who 



The situation of tk 

 ^s a view of the river 

 [eeing a great number 



iell killed one. Un- 

 I should have killed] 



irkeys on the i 

 ig. On our reachin?! 

 ime to watch that no 



After leaving this place we fairly entered the Indian 

 country on the west side of the river, for the State of Mis- 

 souri, by the purchase of the Platte River country, contin- 

 ues for about 250 miles further on the east side, where 

 now we see the only settlements. We saw a good num- 

 ber of Indians in the woods and on the banks, gazing at us 

 as we passed; these are, however, partly civilized, and are 

 miserable enough. Major Mason, who commands here at 

 present, is ill, and I could not see him. We saw several 

 fine horses belonging to different officers. We soon passed 

 Watson, which is considered the head of steam navigation. 



In attempting to pass over a shallow, but a short, cut, 

 we grounded on a bar at five o'clock ; got off, tried again, 

 and again grounded broadside; and now that it is past six 

 o'clock all hands are busily engaged in trying to get the 

 boat off, but with what success I cannot say. To me the 

 situation is a bad one, as I conceive that as we remain 

 here, the washings of the muddy sands as they float down 

 a powerful current will augment the bar on the weather 

 side (if I may so express myself) of the boat. We have 

 seen another Turkey and many Parrakeets, as well as a 

 great number of burrows formed by the "Siflfleurs," as 

 our French Canadians call all and every species of Mar- 

 mots; Bell and I have concluded that there must be not 

 less than twenty to thirty of these animals for one in any 

 portion of the Atlantic States. We saw them even around 

 [the open grounds immediately about Fort Leavenworth. 



About half-past seven we fortunately removed our boat 

 jinto somewhat deeper water, by straightening her bows 

 against the stream, and this was effected by fastening our 

 rery long cable to a snag above us, about 200 yards ; and 

 low, if we can go backwards and reach the deep waters 

 ilong shore a few hundred yards below, we shall be able 

 |o make fast there for the night. Unfortunately it is now 

 pining hard, the lightning is vivid, and the appearance 

 i the night forbidding. 



Ii' 



