389. iigy is 
black jack oak, (Q. ferruginea,) mulberry, (morus rubra,) walnut, 
F. nigra,) the hickory, the red bud, (ericis canadensis.) The 
nettles (urtica canadensis) had grown to the height of 7 or 8 feet, 
all of which show the prodigal fertility of the soil. 
S we approached the Kansas river its tributaries seemed to 
multiply rapidly, and the rolls in the prairie became more abrupt. 
At 3 o’clock, we ascended a high ridge that gave usa fine view 
of the whole surrounding country. Presently reaching a little 
stream, whose banks were excessively steep and slippery, the wag- 
ons attempted-to ascend; but one of the wa wheels sank 
deep in the mud, and completely stopped all progress; we were 
therefore obliged to unload everything, and then clap’all hands to 
the wheel, when we rose the hill amid the cheers of the men. A 
Frenchman, mounted ona wild mule, had already crossed-and was 
standing on the western bank, which is 10 or 12 feet in height, 
passed iff its desperate leap. No one was hurt, and the Frenchman 
still sat as firm as ever -" " 
As we neared the Kaw or Kansas river, some of us went in ad- 
vance and soon reached an Indian house; the*occupants said they 
were Shawnees. They appeared to be very comfortably fixed; had 
plenty of fine looking cattle, pigs, and chickens; within a few 
yards of the house, a clear stream of good water spouted forth from 
the side of a hill "We Tearnedof the Indians that the di ce 
the Kaw river was 1} miles. cli etal ce gs 
Crossing a high ridge, we enter the Kanzas bottom; it was over- 
grown with a tall grass (arundo phragmites) from 5 to 6 feet high, 
and mingled with this was the long-leafed willow and the cotton 
wood. A quarter of a mile from the river bank, we entered the 
timber, consisting of the varieties already mentioned; the ground 
on which it grew was a d loose sand difficult to get through. 
In the river we found two large flat boats or scows manned ° 
Shawnee Indians, dressed in bright-colored shirts, with shaw 
around their heads. The current of the river was very rapid, so that! 
it required the greatest exertions on the part of our ferrymen to 
prevent the boats from being swept far down the stream. We 
landed just at the mouth of the Wakaroosa ereek. Here there is 
no perceptible current; the creck is 14 feet deep, while the river 
does not average more than 5 feet, and in several places is quite 
Shoal. gis 
It was nearly 10 o’clock before all our company had crossed, 
and was so dark that- we could scarcely see to arrange camp; so 
we lay down on the river bank and sent our horses out on the’ 5. 
prairié to graze. We finished our suppers at 12 o’clock and lay _ 
town again to sleep; but, worn out as we were, the mosquitoes 
showed us no compassion, and Jarge hooting owls, (bub virginianus,) | a 
as if to condole with us, commenced a serenade. ~~ oo oe 
The pure cold water of the Wakaroosa looked so invitin ; that q 
“some of us could not refrain from plunging beneath its crystal sar: 4 
face; one of the flat boats formed a convenient place from which 
_ tospring. ‘The sun was rising, surrounded by golden clouds; in 
