INDIAN TRIBES OF THE MISSOURI VALLEY. 360 
their camps along the rivers where timber is to be found. Along the Coteau de Prairie, 
or dividing ridge between the waters of Iowa and Missouri, near the source of James 
River, is found the celebrated Red Pipestone Quarry, to which the Indians pay yearly 
visits, to procure materials from which to make their pipes. ‘This material is found in no 
other portion of their country, and is considered by them of great value. 
The surface of the country west and south of the Missouri River, is more rolling and 
diversified, on account of the large streams that course their way through it. ‘The princi- 
pal xivers on that side of the Missouri are Niobrara, White, Medicine, Teton, Big Shy- 
enne, Moreau, Cannon-ball, Heart, and Grand Rivers. Most of these streams have been 
navigated by the traders with skin boats during the spring thaws. They are well tim- 
bered along their banks, the trees growing in large groves or points, frequently reaching 
from one bluff to the other, the whole width of the valley. The largest and most common 
trees are the cottonwood, elm, and ash, though others of smaller growth are found. 
Though there are many tributaries to the rivers named, running through the interior, most 
of them are short, and only convey the water produced by rain or snow to the parent 
stream. ‘These are termed by the traders and voyageurs coulées, seldom extending more 
than from one to three miles in length, and usually covered with various bushes, small 
trees, grass, and weeds. Between rivers, and beyond the heads of the coulées or dry 
valleys, are large tracts of table land, from ten to fifty miles in breadth, on which no 
timber is seen, but where the spontaneous grasses are very thick, and of excellent quality. 
It is in such spots as these that the buffalo delight to remain undisturbed, quietly crop- 
ping the choice blades in happy ignorance of the hordes of hunters roving through the 
country. Springs impregnated with saline substances are often met with, and the water 
is drank with eagerness by these animals. ‘The most fertile region, however, and the one 
approaching nearest to a habitable district, is on the head waters of the Shyenne and 
Moreau Rivers, commencing at the eastern base of the Black Hills, and running north- 
east for the distance of sixty or eighty miles. The prairies here are undulating, well 
wooded, well watered, and present much varied, beautiful, and enlivening scenery to the 
eye of the traveller. Indeed, with but the exception of that portion of the Dakota lands 
situated west of the ‘* Mauvaises Terres” or “ Bad Lands,” on the source of White River, 
the rest cannot be regarded as an entirely barren district, though to what extent grain 
could be produced has not been determined. 
Many fabulous stories in regard to the Black Hills are related by the Indians, and are 
believed by them even to this day. They say that rumbling noises, like the sound of distant 
thunder, are not infrequent, and one of the principal peaks is called by them the Hill of 
Thunder. In 1833 they supposed it to be on fire, and on almost any clear day they say 
large volumes of smoke could be seen, which they regarded as the breathing of the great 
